What is Muscular Dystrophy?
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a neuromuscular (related to both nerve and muscles) disorder that constantly damages healthy muscles making them weak and wasted. This disease is a form of congenital abnormality due to the mutation of genes.
Your muscles and membranes need many different proteins to be strong and function properly. These proteins are supplied to your body from the food you eat, but proteins like dystrophin are created by your own body.
This information regarding the production as well as the amount of protein is being passed on, by our genetic makeup. Due to gene mutation, wrong information is passed from one generation to another generation, and as a result, these important proteins are not produced or produced in very low quantities.
Without these proteins, your muscles lose their structural and functional integrity slowly which may affect the overall normal functioning of your body.
What are the Symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy?
It may be difficult to diagnose MD early because, in most cases, children, who have this disease, develop normally in their early years.
Slowly and gradually they start facing problems in activities like climbing stairs, walking on their toes, getting up from the sitting position, etc.
Mostly a child with MD often develops enlarged calf muscles due to fat replacements.
Some of the important muscular dystrophy symptoms are:
- Fatigue & muscle weakness.
- Mental retardation (possible but does not worsen over time).
- Difficulty with motor skills like running, hopping, and jumping.
- Difficulty in walking.
If you see any of these symptoms in your child or yourself, immediately approach a neurologist for an accurate diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q1. Can muscular dystrophy be cured?
A. Though some experts say that muscular dystrophy cannot cure muscular dystrophy, evidence has shown how stem cell therapy has given relief to many from the symptoms of MD and also improved their mobility.
Q2. How long can a person with muscular dystrophy live?
A. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the most common and severe type of the disease. Commonly, It affects boys in their early childhood, and once they have this condition they live up to their 20s and 30s.
On the other hand, people with Becker muscular dystrophy have a life expectancy of 30 to 40 years.
But diagnosing MDs early and treating them with advanced treatments like stem cell therapy can not only increase your life expectancy but also reduce the symptoms drastically and help you live an active pain-free life.
Q3. Why is muscular dystrophy more common in males?
A. MD is more common in males because of the MD gene is on the X chromosome. Boys have only one X chromosome, while girls have two X chromosomes from both parents. As the females have two copies of the X chromosome, when one gets mutated, they don’t have many problems. But as the boys only have one X chromosome, when it gets mutated, they are more prone to muscular dystrophy.
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Author Bio:
Dr. Khushbu Jain is a dedicated professional with a passion for advancing healthcare through cutting-edge treatments. She has a special interest in researching regenerative medicine and advanced treatment for diseases that are difficult to treat with conventional treatment options. Her deep understanding of these progressive treatments allows her to offer patients personalized and effective solutions for a variety of health concerns.
Content Medically Reviewed By MedicoExperts Editorial & Clinically Review Board
