Muscular Dystrophy: An Inherited Condition
Muscular dystrophy is an inherited condition that makes muscles weaker and less flexible over time. It is caused by a problem with one of the genes that make proteins that keep muscles strong and healthy. There are more than 30 different types of muscular dystrophy, and the symptoms vary depending on which kind you have.
How to Diagnose Muscular Dystrophy
You or your child will be asked to take a physical exam, which will help doctors know whether your muscles are functioning normally. This test will also help doctors distinguish muscular dystrophy from other nerve disorders and neurological conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
The doctor will ask you to describe how your body feels and what your usual activities are like. They will also look at your muscles and how they work together. They may also use an EMG (electromyography) to measure the electrical activity in the muscles.
Genetic tests will show if you have a genetic mutation that is the cause of muscular dystrophy. The mutation causes the protein that keeps muscles strong to break down. This can happen in the X chromosome or on the other side of the gene, called the Y chromosome.
Symptoms and Treatment
Symptoms of muscle weakness can vary from mild to severe, depending on the type of muscular dystrophy you have. In some cases, you may lose the ability to walk, talk or care for yourself.
There are a number of ways to treat muscular dystrophy, including medicines and exercises that can help strengthen muscles and improve quality of life. But many medications can have serious side effects, so you should always check with your doctor before taking any new medication.
When you see the doctor, tell them about your family history. They might want to speak with other people in your family about their experiences, or they may decide to schedule a genetic test.
You should also let your doctor know if you or your child has other medical conditions. For example, if you or your child has diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, heart disease or cancer. It is important that you get all of these checked out because these illnesses can affect the way your muscles work and cause problems with breathing.
Gowers’ Sign and Scoliosis
Children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) often have a curved spine, called scoliosis. This can make it difficult to walk, and your child might have a hard time getting up from a chair or lying down. If your child has scoliosis, surgery might be able to correct it or prevent it from getting worse.
Exercise and Its Benefits
Exercise can help build and strengthen skeletal muscles, which is good for the whole body. It can also improve your quality of life and reduce the risk of other health problems.
Your doctor can give you tips and advice on how to exercise. They can suggest how much and what kinds of exercises you should do. They can also advise you on how to exercise safely and avoid injuries, which can be a big concern for kids with DMD.
