Types of Muscular Dystrophy

What are the Different Types of Muscular Dystrophy?

Depending on the damaged gene, the site where the gene is located, and the symptoms, muscular dystrophies are divided into various types. Some of the major forms of Muscular Dystrophy are as follows:

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

DMD is the most common type of Muscular dystrophy and it usually affects boys. it’s because it is caused by a gene located in the x chromosome and males have only one x chromosome in their gene (males have XY chromosomes and females have XX chromosomes).

If your child has DMD, you will see the symptoms during 2-3 years of age.  The child becomes wheelchair-bound at the age of 12 years. This involves the weakness of major involuntary muscles, such as the heart and lungs.

In DMD, the arms, legs, and spine become deformed slowly. There can be cognitive issues, too.

Learn more about DMD here.

Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD)

Becker Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disease that causes progressive damage to muscles in the body.

It affects mainly teenagers or young adults.

It is caused due to loss or waste of muscle in the body and not due to defects in motor neurons, connecting the spinal cord with the muscle.

Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD)

LGMD is a type of muscular dystrophy, that affects both boys and girls. It usually starts in late childhood and continues to middle age. You will know that your child has LMD if they have a loss of muscle in the shoulders, upper arms, around the thighs, and hips.

Learn more about LGMD here.

Emery-Dreifuss Muscular Dystrophy (EDMD)

EDMD is a very rare form of MD, typically observed in late childhood to early teens. If you or your child has this muscular dystrophy, you will notice wasting muscles, weakness, and joint deformities. Cardiac arrest can occur in severe cases.

EDMD affects the muscles of your upper arms, shoulder, and lower legs.

Learn more about EDMD here.

Oculopharyngeal Muscular Dystrophy (OMD)

Oculopharyngeal dystrophy is a rare inherited disease with adult onset generally after the age of 40. It is a progressive disease, but the symptoms worsen very slowly.

What are the symptoms of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy?

The symptoms of the disease are as follows

• Difficulty in swallowing
• Difficulty in eye movement
• Double vision
• Difficulty in speaking
• Drooping eyelids
• Weakness in the tongue

People with oculopharyngeal dystrophy eventually have problems with leg and hip muscles and they need a wheelchair for movement.

Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FMD)

FMD is a type of Muscular Dystrophy that occurs in both men and women but it is more common in men. If your child has FMD, you will see that your child sleeps with their eyes slightly open, an inability to squeeze their eyes tightly, and an issue in bringing their lips together.

Learn more about FMD here.

Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (CMD)

CMD is a type of muscular dystrophy that is noticeable either at or soon after birth. Muscular dystrophies are genetic conditions that mainly affect voluntary muscles and cause them to degenerate over time.

The appearance of muscle abnormalities seen in dystrophic conditions can vary greatly depending on the stage and severity of the disorder.

Distal Muscular Dystrophy (DD)

Distal muscular dystrophy (DD) is a rare form of MD that typically affects the hands, feet, and lower legs.

The symptoms of DD can vary depending upon the specific mutation present and may include:

• muscle weakness,
• cramping,
• twitching,
• joint contractures,
• unusual fatigue, and
• difficulty with fine motor skills.

Other symptoms may include:

• foot drop, which is an inability to lift the toes due to weakened calf muscles,
• as well as hammertoes and clawed hands.

As time passes, the symptoms of DD can become more pronounced and lead to further mobility limitations.

Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy (MMD)

MMD is a type of Muscular Dystrophy in which muscle relaxation can cause problems. It is common in teens. The other symptoms of MMD include muscle weakness, wasting, cataracts, and heart problems.

It affects the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, heart, eyes, and glands that produce hormones.

Learn more about MMD here.

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