What happens when you have muscular dystrophy?

Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited diseases that damage and weaken your muscles over time. This damage and weakness is due to the lack of a protein called dystrophin, which is necessary for normal muscle function. The absence of this protein can cause problems with walking, swallowing, and muscle coordination.

What are 3 types of muscular dystrophy?

There are 30 different types of muscular dystrophy that are classified into nine categories. These categories are Becker, Congenital, Duchenne, Distal, Emery-Dreifuss, Facioscapulohumeral, Limb-Girdle, Myotonic, and Oculopharyngeal.

What is the medical definition of muscular dystrophy?

Muscular dystrophy (MD): One of a group of genetic diseases characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal or voluntary muscles which control movement. The muscles of the heart and some other involuntary muscles are also affected in some forms of muscular dystrophy, and a few forms involve other organs as well.

How does muscular dystrophy affect your daily life?

Over time, muscle weakness decreases mobility, making everyday tasks difficult. There are many kinds of muscular dystrophy, each affecting specific muscle groups, with signs and symptoms appearing at different ages, and varying in severity.

What kind of muscle weakness is myotonic muscular dystrophy?

Myotonic. This is characterized by an inability to relax muscles following contractions. Facial and neck muscles are usually the first to be affected. People with this form typically have long, thin faces; drooping eyelids; and swanlike necks. Facioscapulohumeral (FSHD). Muscle weakness typically begins in the face, hip and shoulders.

Are there any cures or cures for muscular dystrophy?

There’s no cure for muscular dystrophy. But medications and therapy can help manage symptoms and slow the course of the disease. The main sign of muscular dystrophy is progressive muscle weakness.

What are the nine major forms of muscular dystrophy?

There are nine major forms of muscular dystrophy: Myotonic. Duchenne. Becker. Limb-girdle. Facioscapulohumeral. Congenital. Oculopharyngeal .

What are the first signs of muscular dystrophy?

The main sign of muscular dystrophy is progressive muscle weakness. Specific signs and symptoms begin at different ages and in different muscle groups, depending on the type of muscular dystrophy.

What is the life span of muscular dystrophy?

Becker muscular dystrophy typically gets worse over time and reduces life expectancy. The majority of people diagnosed with it live between 40 and 50 years. The outlook is different for each individual because the disease can vary in its severity.

What is the life expectancy of congenital muscular dystrophy?

DMD affects about one in 5,000 males at birth. It is the most common type of muscular dystrophy. The average life expectancy is 26; however, with excellent care, some may live into their 30s or 40s.