Muscular Dystrophy, abbreviated as MD, is a disease that involves gradual and progressive weakening of the muscles. Considering the fact that muscles are responsible to bring about movement of organs and locomotion, deterioration of these basic bodily tissues can lead to a wide array of medical conditions. Indeed, muscular dystrophy symptoms are many, and vary according to the affected muscle types, and the region where these weakened muscles are present.
Symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy
Before we jump to muscular dystrophy symptoms, let's try to understand the basics regarding what is muscular dystrophy. It is a genetic disease, in which the root cause is abnormality in the genes that code for muscle protein synthesis. Upon study, MD is found to be a sex-linked genetic disease (defects in X gene). It may become pronounced in childhood, teenage or adulthood stages. Some of the commonly reported muscular dystrophy types along with their manifested symptoms are highlighted below.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Symptoms
The most common type identified in children and also, the most severe form is Duchenne MD. It is diagnosed in young boys who are between 2-3 years old.
Becker Muscular Dystrophy Symptoms
Generally, it is also a boy's disease (exhibited at age 12 or later), but less severe as compared to Duchenne type. Affecting the muscles of the pelvis and legs, the progression rate of thisgenetic disorder is relatively slow.
As the name signifies, this form of muscular dystrophy involves problems in muscle relaxation. Myotonic dystrophy symptoms usually occurs in adults, and some patients walk normally and succeed in leading an independent life.
Also called Landouzy-Dejerine dystrophy, this rare genetic disorder affects muscles of the face, upper arms, lower arms, shoulders, abdomen, pelvic area and feet. The symptoms are manifested during teenage groups or adulthood.
In this genetic disorder, the muscle tissues of the upper and lower limbs deteriorate in a progressive manner during childhood or early adulthood phases. Weakening of muscles is observed in the shoulder and hips first, which later progresses to the trunk portion.
Another in the list of severe muscular dystrophy is congenital type, in which muscle wasting becomes pronounced as early as the neonatal period. Consequently, symptoms of muscular dystrophy disease are manifested in babies.
In a nutshell, the percentage of boys getting affected with this chronic disease is higher than that of girl patients. If a child manifests suspected muscular dystrophy symptoms, parents should not delay in getting their child examined by a qualified doctor. After confirmation, the doctor will suggest therapeutic approaches specific to the type of disease. For any case of muscular dystrophy, early treatment is indicated to provided quality life to patients, who have been affected with this chronic disease.
Symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy
Before we jump to muscular dystrophy symptoms, let's try to understand the basics regarding what is muscular dystrophy. It is a genetic disease, in which the root cause is abnormality in the genes that code for muscle protein synthesis. Upon study, MD is found to be a sex-linked genetic disease (defects in X gene). It may become pronounced in childhood, teenage or adulthood stages. Some of the commonly reported muscular dystrophy types along with their manifested symptoms are highlighted below.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Symptoms
The most common type identified in children and also, the most severe form is Duchenne MD. It is diagnosed in young boys who are between 2-3 years old.
- Weakness of lower leg muscles
- Increased fatigue
- Difficulty in standing up from a sitting position
- Inability to jump and run
- Frequent falls
- Waddling gait (or walking on toes)
- Mental retardation (in some patients)
- Enlargement of tongue and calf muscles
Becker Muscular Dystrophy Symptoms
Generally, it is also a boy's disease (exhibited at age 12 or later), but less severe as compared to Duchenne type. Affecting the muscles of the pelvis and legs, the progression rate of thisgenetic disorder is relatively slow.
- Difficulty walking
- Wasting of muscles
- Difficulty with motor skills
- Loss of body coordination
- Frequent falls
- Breathing difficulties
- Inability to walk (as the disease progresses)
- Cognitive problems
As the name signifies, this form of muscular dystrophy involves problems in muscle relaxation. Myotonic dystrophy symptoms usually occurs in adults, and some patients walk normally and succeed in leading an independent life.
- Difficulty in relaxing grasps
- Drooping eyelids
- Onset of diabetes
- Dizziness and fainting
- Sleep apnea
- Cataracts and other eye problems
- Low IQ
- Irregular heartbeat (if cardiac muscles are affected)
- Frontal balding in men
Also called Landouzy-Dejerine dystrophy, this rare genetic disorder affects muscles of the face, upper arms, lower arms, shoulders, abdomen, pelvic area and feet. The symptoms are manifested during teenage groups or adulthood.
- Weakness of facial muscles
- Thin upper arms
- Difficulties in pursing lips
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Retinal abnormalities
- Hearing loss
- Weakening of stomach muscles
- Shoulder ache and weakness
In this genetic disorder, the muscle tissues of the upper and lower limbs deteriorate in a progressive manner during childhood or early adulthood phases. Weakening of muscles is observed in the shoulder and hips first, which later progresses to the trunk portion.
- Waddling walk and abnormal gait
- Frequent falls
- Pseudohypertrophy (enlarged calves)
- Loss of muscle mass
- Lower back pain
- Respiratory problems
- Trouble in standing up
- Weakness of the heart muscle
- Irregular heartbeats
Another in the list of severe muscular dystrophy is congenital type, in which muscle wasting becomes pronounced as early as the neonatal period. Consequently, symptoms of muscular dystrophy disease are manifested in babies.
- Difficulty in breastfeeding
- Difficulty in swallowing food
- Weakness of the diagphragm which leads to breathing problems
- Cognitive impairment
- Frequent respiratory infections
In a nutshell, the percentage of boys getting affected with this chronic disease is higher than that of girl patients. If a child manifests suspected muscular dystrophy symptoms, parents should not delay in getting their child examined by a qualified doctor. After confirmation, the doctor will suggest therapeutic approaches specific to the type of disease. For any case of muscular dystrophy, early treatment is indicated to provided quality life to patients, who have been affected with this chronic disease.