Muscular Dystrophy Causes, Symptoms and Types

It seems like the inherited diseases are the worst as they are irreversible. A muscular dystrophy belongs to this type of disorders. It is a rather serious problem as it negatively affects all groups of muscles. They become weak and inactive. The main cause of the problem is the severe lack of protein. Its name is dystrophin – that is where the name of condition comes from.

Without this element, the muscles will not function properly. Such sensations as pain during the walk and swallowing characterize the condition bets of all. People of all age are under the equal risks of facing such issue. In the majority of cases, little children complain of the muscular dystrophy. It is fair to admit that boys suffer more often than girls.

You may wonder what exactly leads to the muscular dystrophy. Specific genes may provoke the problem. To specify, their absence as such genes defend the muscles from the potential injuries. The condition usually takes place in the case at least one gene of this type has any defects. Every type of the condition is the consequence of a genetic mutation. Most people inherit such mutations.

The mutations can also occur in the mother’s egg just to transfer to the upcoming generations later. The most widespread type of this problem us a so-called Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Unlike this one, a Becker form of the condition begins when the person is in mid-twenties or older. In the first case, children tend to suffer from the disease more frequently.

Becker muscular dystrophy evolves smoothly without any sudden ‘jumps.’ The beginning signs include ache and stiffness, which makes it hard to have a walk or do more active physical exercises. Another sign is a waddling gait. Children often face learning disabilities, especially those associated with communications.

Specific shapes of the dystrophy are characterized by certain features. The way this disease behaves and develops depends on the body location where the problem starts from. The example of such type of this disease is a Myotonic muscular dystrophy. Another popular name in the healthcare field is a Steinert’s disease. This type is defined by an impossibility to make the muscles relax intentionally. In this case, the patient’s face/neck muscles are the first group of muscles to be attacked. One more researched form is Facioscapulohumeral (FSHD).

The problem starts with the face & shoulders. The next type on the list is a congenital muscular dystrophy, which usually damages children and usually takes place before the person achieves the age of two. While some types of this disease develop slowly, others are very serious and fast in their expansion. In case of the limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, the patients feel their shoulders are the first parts of the body to be attacked.

This paragraph talks about the possible negative consequences of the muscular dystrophy. If the disease is progressive, the patient may stop walking at will. The last resort is driving a wheelchair until the problem is solved. People may also experience a shortening of muscles.

Contractures are the main reasons why some patients lose their ability to love. The doctors report difficulties with breathing among the patients. The thing is the affected muscles cause the problems with absorbing oxygen. Many patients have a problem with back what we know as scoliosis). Finally, the severest stages include some heart issues. Do not forget about swallowing!

What are some effective methods to assess the condition and find out whether you deal with the muscular dystrophy or something else? One of the ways is to submit a sample of blood to check it for the level of enzymes in the injured groups of muscles. You may examine the blood for the genetic markers of the disease. Some doctors conduct an electromyography test to check the electrical activity. At least there is a muscle biopsy – give a sample of the damaged muscle to find out what is causing the discomfort!