Muscular dystrophies are a group of inherited genetic conditions that cause the muscles of the body to weaken and damage over a period leading to progressive muscle degeneration with an increased level of disability. Often inherited genetically, this ailment begins at birth or at the onset of childhood when an abnormal genetic mutation leads to severe degeneration of muscles as they tend to become progressively weaker. While most symptoms include muscle weakness, and difficulty in breathing and swallowing, some types of muscular dystrophy also affect the heart when its muscles start to become relatively weak. This situation can be life-threatening and may lead to loss of life. While medication, breathing aids, therapies, and surgical procedures may help cure most dystrophies, the life span of the patient is often short in some types of muscular dystrophies.
Also Read: Muscle Weakness: Know About the Underlying Causes And Treatment Options
What Are The Types Of Muscular Dystrophies?
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common type of muscular dystrophy and appears in males during early childhood. The child at the age of twelve may lose his ability to walk due to severe muscle weakness Rapid progression of the ailment may cause breathing difficulties and some children may need a respirator to breathe. Complications of Duchenne muscular dystrophy include scoliosis. Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy can live longer if provided ample medical management and support.
Also Read: Scoliosis: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
Becker Muscular Dystrophy
Very similar to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy progresses frequently and affects males between the ages of 12 to 22 with symptoms such as weakness in hip muscles, thighs, pelvis, and shoulders. While it does not affect the life expectancy of the person, some patients may need wheelchairs in adulthood, whereas others may need only a minor assistive device such as a walking stick.
Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
Congenital muscular dystrophies are of about twenty types and may be present at birth or progress after two years of age affecting both males and females. While the progression of each congenital muscular dystrophy varies from person to person, patients with such dystrophy may develop joint problems, respiratory issues, seizures, or vision or speech problems. Some children may reach adulthood with only minor disabilities.
Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy
One of the most common forms of muscular dystrophy diagnosed in adults, myotonic muscular dystrophy affects men and women equally. This ailment causes difficulty with muscle relaxation, weakness in the extremities, gastrointestinal problems, constipation, and diarrhea. It can also lead to endocrine problems such as thyroid and diabetes. In some cases, it can cause a weakened heartbeat. Sometimes people may require a pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator to regularize the heartbeat.
Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy
With more than twenty forms of this type of muscular dystrophy, it can occur at any age, affecting both men and women equally. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy affects the upper part of the legs, upper arms, shoulders, and hips. Weakness in limbs can cause problems in climbing stairs, walking, or running. If the situation is severe, some patients with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy may require wheelchair assistance at a later stage.
Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy affects men and women and may develop even at the age of 40. In this type of dystrophy, the muscles of the face, shoulder blades, upper arms, around the eyes and mouth, and muscles of the lower leg get weakened.
Emery–Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy
Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy arises mainly in young males, but in some cases, young females can also be affected. In this health condition, muscle strength in the shoulders, shins, and upper arms gets weakened. Stiffening of the muscles may also occur causing the joint deformity or limited movement of the muscles. This type of muscular dystrophy progresses slowly, and patients may often develop heart problems by the time they reach 30. If the heart muscles are affected, a pacemaker may be needed for some patients.
Distal Muscular Dystrophy
Distal muscular dystrophy affects hands, feet, lower arms, and lower leg muscles. It may show up in males and females between the ages of 40 to 60. This dystrophy progresses relatively slower than other forms of muscular dystrophy and does not cause rapid muscle damage.
Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy
Primarily affecting muscles of the eyelids, face, and throat, oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy appears in men and women aged 40 to 50. The symptoms begin with muscle weakness of the limbs besides also cause problems in vision and swallowing.
