How to detect the Signs of Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disease that corresponds to the weakness and deterioration of the skeletal muscles, which directly controls muscular movements. Some develop this disease at a very young age, while others don't show symptoms it until they reach 30 years old or a little later than that. Muscular Dystrophy comes in different types and levels of advancement. But it most of the time, it affects boys more than it affect girls.

The Cause of Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is generally caused by genetic mutation. This disease more particularly affects the X chromosome. But even though the disease is genetic, it can leave out a generation and show up only on the next. There are also cases wherein new mutations in the gene from the same carrier triggers the disease rather than the defective gene inherited.

More specifically, this muscular dystrophy is caused by the deficiency of the protein called dystrophin. Dystrophin is the substance that maintains the muscle's integrity. Louis M. Kunkel identified this protein in 1987 after he had discovered the cause of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in 1986.

Types of Muscular Dystrophy

1. Congenital – This type of muscular dystrophy occurs right at birth. The patient's muscles weaken and joint deformities occur. The type progresses very slowly but it generally causes a shortened life span.

2. Duchenne – Children aged 2 to 6 years contract this type of muscular dystrophy. It affects the upper legs, arms, and the pelvis. But after sometime, all voluntary muscles will be affected. Patients who contract this type rarely survive beyond 20 years of age.

3. Becker – This one's very similar to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, although this can develop until the patient is 16 years old. It is also much milder and advances slower. Patients may survive until 30 years of age.

4. Emery-Dreifuss – This type may show from early childhood to teenage years. While its progress is slow, it may induce sudden death arising from cardiac problems associated with the disease.

5. Limb-Girdle – The Limb-Girdle type of muscular dystrophy may slow late in childhood until the patient reaches the middle years. And just like in Emery-Dreifuss, patients may die suddenly due to cardiopulmonary difficulties. And the parts affected first are usually the shoulder and pelvic girdles.

6. Facioscapulohumeral – This one affects teens and young adults. Facial muscular weakness is the main symptom of this disease, but it also affects the shoulders and the upper arms.

7. Myotonic – In this type of muscular dystrophy, patients affected are usually aged 20 to 40 years. This disease may stay in them for as long as 60 years. This type of muscular dystrophy is characterized by delayed relaxation of the muscles after it had contracted.

8. Distal – Affecting patients aged 40 - 60 years old, this disease weakens the muscles of the lower legs, forearms, and hands. This type of muscular dystrophy may lead to total incapacity.

9. Oculopharyngeal – This type of muscular dystrophy affects patients aged 40-70 years old. It is characterized by the weakness of the throat and eyelids. It may cause difficulty in swallowing.

10. Myotic – Myotic muscular dystrophy is the type that affects the pupil. The muscles of the eye weaken and fail to contract properly. They are usually fixed and react to light in a sluggish manner.