Types Of Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular Dystrophy is a group of genetic disorders that cause progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass.

Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited diseases in which voluntary muscles become damaged and gradually weaken due to the absence of the protein “dystrophin”, which is essential for healthy muscular function. This results in a loss of strength in the muscles, which can lead to impaired coordination, walking difficulties, increased disability, and deformity.

Types of Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy can occur at any stage of life, but it is most commonly seen in childhood, particularly in young boys. Unfortunately, those with the disease eventually lose the ability to walk, and require assistance to do so. Although there is currently no known cure, treatments can help to manage the symptoms.

Table of Contents

Types of Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular Dystrophy Symptoms

Causes of Muscular Dystrophy

Treatment

Types of Muscular Dystrophy

There are mainly nine types of muscular dystrophy, each of which has different symptoms, age of onset, severity, and rate of progression. Some types are even named after the muscle they affect.

  1. Duchenne

2. Myotonic

  1. Becker

4. Congenital

5. Facioscapulohumeral

6. Limb-girdle

7. Oculopharyngeal

8. Distal

9. Emery-Dreifuss

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Symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy

Type Age of onset Common Symptoms

| Duchenne | 2 to 6 Years | Muscle Weakness and Problems in Coordination |

Difficulties with walking, running, jumping, and standing up

Breathing difficulties, lung weakness, and heart weakness

Scoliosis: Abnormal curvature of the spine

Learn to speak later

Learning Difficulties

Mostly found in boys

Life expectancy is not less than the 20s

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2018 $600
2019 $700

Myotonic or Steinert’s Disease | 20 to 30 years | Muscle Stiffness (Myotonia)

Causes sagging of facial muscles

Poor Vision, Cataract

Excessive Sleeping

Affects the adrenal glands and thyroid

Learning Problems

Irregular Heartbeat

Can lead to weakening of neck muscles, and difficulty in lifting the neck

May lead to infertility or impotence

Progression is gradual

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| Becker | Adolescence 11-15 years | Less severe than Duchenne |

Commonly affects boys

Muscle Weakness of Arms and Legs

Muscle cramps and frequent falls

Having difficulty getting up and walking on the toes

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| Congenital | By birth | Poor motor control |

Joint Deformities and Inability to Sit or Stand

Scoliosis: Abnormal curvature of the spine

Vision and Speech Problems

Respiratory Problems

Dysphagia

Intellectual Impairment

Shortened Lifespan

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John A
Jane B
Joe C
Jill D

| Facioscapulohumeral | Childhood to early adult | Weakness in facial muscles, shoulder and upper arms |

Progression is gradual, but there is a sudden decline in the rate of progress.

Crooked appearance of mouth and inability to purse lips

Inability to close their eyes completely

Wing-like Appearance of the Shoulder Blades

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| Limb-girdle | Late Childhood to Middle Age | Affects both Males and Females |

Normal Life Expectancy

Loss of Muscle Mass

Affects the Pectoral and Pelvic Girdles

Difficulty in climbing stairs and getting up from a chair

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Name Age
John 20
Name Age
John 20

| Oculopharyngeal | 40 to 50 years | Affects muscle of eyelids, throat and shoulder |

Swallowing difficulties can result in malnutrition or even starvation.

Drooping Eyelids

Change in voice and vision issues

Occurs in both men and women represents a table

Name Age
John 27
Name Age
John 27

| Distal | 40 to 60 years | Progression is slow |

Weakness and loss of muscles in the hands, forearms, calves, and feet

Affects Both Males and Females

Loss of Fine Motor Skills

Difficulty in Walking

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| Emery-Dreifuss | Childhood to early teens | Affects both boys and girls |

Slow Progression

Shortened Muscles

Tightened tendons limit joint movements.

Weakness of the shoulder, upper arm, and shin muscles

Heart and Breathing Problems

Sudden Death from Cardiac Problems indicates a table column

Name Age
John 25
Name Age
John 25

Symptoms and Causes of Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder that is usually inherited and is caused by mutations in genes that affect the structure and function of muscles, resulting in muscle weakness and disability. This is usually due to interference in the formation of a protein called dystrophin, which is necessary for normal muscle functioning. Muscular dystrophy can be a sex-linked, recessive, or dominant inherited disorder, or it can be spontaneous, with no family history.

Treatment

No cure exists for muscular dystrophy; treatments available are only able to help manage the condition and slow its progression.

Steroid Medication for Strengthening Muscles

Surgery to correct deformities, remove cataracts, and treat cardiac complications

Exercises to strengthen muscles and yoga have been found to be beneficial in helping an individual become more independent.

Exercising or undergoing surgery to improve the swallowing problem

Ataluren is a new medicine to treat Duchenne disease patients aged 5 years or older who are still able to walk.

Lots of research is being conducted to create new treatments for the disease, such as exon skipping and using stem cells to regenerate damaged muscle tissue.

MCQs on Muscular Dystrophy for NEET 2020

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