Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy, or MD, is actually a group of muscle disorders that cause your muscles to become weak and wasted. The most common forms have a genetic cause.
The signs and symptoms of the various types of MD will vary, but typically patients have severe muscle weakness, are physically uncoordinated and have contractures (such as a club foot or claw hand). Some kinds of MD cause mental retardation.
There is no known cure for MD but your doctor can help control your symptoms and can recommend surgery or orthotics (braces) if appropriate. If you have a child with MD, joining a support group can also help you cope with the difficult physical, emotional and financial problems you're facing.
Recently Answered
- Q How does muscular dystrophy affect children differently than adults?
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The ways muscular dystrophy affects children and adults does not necessarily depend on the age of the person, but rather on the type of disease itself. The age at which muscular dystrophy takes effect varies depending on the type of disease. Most... Full Answer
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- Q Are there other muscular dystrophy (MD)-like conditions?
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These diseases may produce symptoms that are very similar to those found in some forms of muscular dystrophy (MD) (such as inflammatory myopathy, progressive muscle weakness, mental impairment, and cardiomyopathy), but they are caused by different... Full Answer
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- Q Are there alternative treatments for muscular dystrophy?
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Although the effectiveness of alternative treatments hasn't been proven, there are several options that may be beneficial to people with muscular dystrophy. One of the most popular alternative therapies is massage, which helps keep muscles loose and may... Full Answer
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- Q What do I need to know about caring for someone with muscular dystrophy?
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When caring for someone with muscular dystrophy, it's important to remember that the disease impacts people both physically and emotionally. Muscle weakness and other symptoms may interfere with their ability to get around and to perform daily tasks, so... Full Answer
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- Q Can muscular dystrophy be prevented?
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Because muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder, it cannot be prevented. If you have a family history of muscular dystrophy, genetic screening may be helpful for an early diagnosis and early treatment. These genetic tests can be performed on adults,... Full Answer
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- Q What are the treatment options for muscular dystrophy?
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Unfortunately, there's no cure for muscular dystrophy. However, there are several treatment options that can help reduce your symptoms. Doctors may prescribe medications that work either to control symptoms like muscle spasms and weakness or to delay the... Full Answer
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- Q How do I manage my muscular dystrophy on a daily basis?
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Muscular dystrophy can have a major impact on your life, but there are ways you can manage the disease from day to day. It's important to follow doctors' advice regarding treatment such as medication or assistive devices. Physical therapy, exercise, and... Full Answer
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- Q How is Becker muscular dystrophy treated?
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Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy are names for the same disorder caused by genetic mutations in the DMD gene. The most common medication used to treat this disorder is a corticosteroid such as prednisone. This medication is taken by mouth and... Full Answer
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- Q Should I see a doctor about my limb-girdle muscular dystrophy symptoms?
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If you or your child are experiencing symptoms that could be caused by limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, you should talk to your doctor. These symptoms may include weakness, difficulty walking or carrying things, or a waddling gait. It's especially... Full Answer
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- Q Should I talk to my doctor about my muscular dystrophy symptoms?
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If you or your child are experiencing symptoms that could be caused by muscular dystrophy, you should talk to your doctor. These symptoms may include weakness, a lack of coordination, or any other muscle problems. It is especially important to talk to a... Full Answer
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