Muscular Dystrophy (MD) is a group of muscle diseases that results in increasing weakening and breakdown of skeletal muscles over time, Your muscles help you move and help your body work. Different types of muscles have different jobs.There are many problems that can affect muscles, Muscular dystrophy is caused by genetic mutations that interfere with the production of muscle proteins that are needed to build and maintain healthy muscles. It typically affects young boys, but other variations can strike in adulthood. Muscle disorders can also cause weakness, pain or even paralysis.
CAUSES
- Injury or overuse, such as sprains or strains, cramps or tendinitis
- A genetic disorder, such as muscular dystrophy
- Some cancers
- Inflammation, such as myositis
- Diseases of nerves that affect muscles
- Infections
- Certain medicines
And sometimes the causes are unknown.
DIAGNOSIS.
Your doctor is likely to start with a medical history and physical examination. After that, your doctor may recommend:
- Enzyme tests. Damaged muscles release enzymes, such as creatine kinase (CK), into your blood. In a person who hasn’t had a traumatic injury, high blood levels of CK suggest a muscle disease — such as muscular dystrophy.
- Electromyography. An electrode needle is inserted into the muscle to be tested. Electrical activity is measured as you relax and as you gently tighten the muscle. Changes in the pattern of electrical activity can confirm a muscle disease.
- Genetic testing. Blood samples can be examined for mutations in some of the genes that cause different types of muscular dystrophy.
- Muscle biopsy. A small piece of muscle can be removed through an incision or with a hollow needle. Analysis (biopsy) of the tissue sample can distinguish muscular dystrophies from other muscle diseases.
- Heart-monitoring tests (electrocardiography and echocardiogram). These tests are used to check heart function, especially in people diagnosed with myotonic muscular dystrophy.
- Lung-monitoring tests. These tests are used to check lung function.
SYMPTOMS
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. Facial and neck muscles are usually the first to be affected.
Signs and symptoms typically appear in early childhood and may include:
- Frequent falls
- Difficulty rising from a lying or sitting up position
- Trouble running and jumping
- Waddling gait
- Walking on the toes
- Large calf muscles
- Muscle pain and stiffness
- Learning disabilities
TREATMENT
There’s no cure for any form of muscular dystrophy. But treatment can help prevent or reduce problems in the joints and spine to allow people with muscular dystrophy to remain mobile as long as possible. Treatment options include medications, physical and occupational therapy, and surgical and other procedures.
However, you can also try exercises such as swimming, walking,aerobics can help you manage the disease.
