Muscular dystrophy is a group of muscle diseases that weaken the musculoskeletal system and hamper locomotion (walking or movement).
Sx
It is characterized by progressive skeletal muscle weakness, defects in muscle proteins, and the death of muscle cells and tissue
It involves growing progressively weaker, losing the ability to walk, and dying at an early age
Most types are multi-system disorders with manifestations in body systems, including the heart, GI system, nervous system, endocrine glands, eyes and brain
Normal intellectual, muscular, behavioral, bowel and sexual functions is noticed in individuals with other forms of muscular dystrophy and like conditions
Affected patients with susceptible intellectual impairment are Dx through molecular characteristics, but not through problems associated with disability
However, 1/3rd of patients who are severely affected may have cognitive impairment, behavioral, vision and speech problems
Classification
The most common and severe form of the disease is Duchenne muscular dystrophy, named after the French neurologist Dr Guillaume Duchenne
Other major forms include Becker, limb-girdle, congenital fascioaphulohumeral, myotonic, oculopharyngeal, distal, and Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy
Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies are caused by a mutation of a gene located on the X chromosome, predominantly affecting males, although females can sometimes have severe Sx as well
Several other muscular dystrophy-like conditions have also been identified
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