MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY by Jackie Limon

Nine major forms of muscular dystrophy:

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Myotonic
Duchenne
Becker
Limb-girdle
Facioscapulohumeral
Congenital
Oculopharyngeal
Distal
Emery-Dreifuss

Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited disorders that involve muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue, which get worse over time.

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Symptoms:

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Signs and symptoms typically appear between the ages of 2 and 3, and may include:

Frequent falls.
Difficulty getting up from a lying or sitting position.
Trouble running and jumping.
Waddling gait.
Walking on the toes.
Large calf muscles.
Muscle pain and stiffness.
Learning disabilities.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD):

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It is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy in children, affecting males only. It is a X-linked hereditary disease caused by absence of a structural protein termed dystrophin.Read more Types of Muscular Dystrophies and their features | Medchrome

The Duchenne Timeline

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Muscular Dystrophy - Du Chenne

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Treatment:

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There is no known cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Treatment aims to control symptoms to improve quality of life. Steroid drugs can slow the loss of muscle strength. They may be started when the child is diagnosed or when muscle strength begins to decline.Other treatments may include:Albuterol--a drug used for people with asthmaAmino acidsCarnitineCoenzyme Q10CreatineFish oilGreen tea extractsVitamin EHowever, the effects of these treatments have not been proven. Stem cells and gene therapy may be used in the future.Activity is encouraged. Inactivity (such as bedrest) can make the muscle disease worse. Physical therapy may help to maintain muscle strength and function. Speech therapy is often needed.

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Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Ryan's Story

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Diagnosis:

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In diagnosing any form of muscular dystrophy, a doctor usually begins by taking a patient and family history, and performing a physical examination. Much can be learned from these, including the pattern of weakness. The history and physical go a long way toward making the diagnosis, even before any complicated diagnostic tests are done.

Facts:

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How common is this type?

In 2007, 349 out of 2.37 million males aged 5-24 years were reported to have DMD or BMD in the United States.¹ This means that about 15 out of every 100,000 males ages 5-24 years were affected that year.

In 2009, 233 out of 1.49 million males were reported to have DMD or BMD in Northern England.² That is, about 16 out of every 100,000 males were affected that year.
Are males or females more likely to be affected? Males
When does muscle weakness typically begin?DMD: Before 5 years; BMD: Between 7-12 years
Which muscles usually show weakness first?
Upper arms, Upper legs
What other parts of the body can be affected?
Brain, Throat, Heart, Diaphragm/Chest Muscles, Stomach, Intestines, Spine

Meghan's Story

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Meghan is a single parent of an eight-year-old boy named Zachary, who has DMD. Just alone being a single parent for her was very hard. Finding out the diagnosis of Zachary @ the age of 18 was very suprising to her. She went through a roller coaster of emotions until she could grasp the whole situation. Through everything Meghan is Zach's biggest supporter. She says she has learned various things from Zach herself, he is her soul and if she could make him as physically as his classmates she would. Meghan says a diagnosis of DMD is not the end, it is only the beginning.