Patients with muscular dystrophy are commonly afflicted with psychological disorders like depression, anxiety, cognitive deficits etc., which likely exacerbates disease progression and worsens the quality of life. Both muscular dystrophy and behavioral disorders are associated with autonomic dysregulation.
Myotonic dystrophy is marked by progressive muscle wasting and weakness, as well as excessive daytime sleepiness, memory problems, and mental retardation.
However, young boys with DMD may have more difficulty with impulsivity and emotional control than other children their age. They are also more likely to be rigid and inflexible in their thinking, which can result in noncompliance or arguing.
Myotonic dystrophy is one of the most common types of muscular dystrophy, characterized by progressive muscle weakness that can affect many parts of the body, including the heart and lungs. Like other rare diseases, it can take years of going to many different doctors to get the right diagnosis.
The analyses showed that some aspects of cognitive function were often impaired in DMD boys with no intellectual disability. Patients performed poorly on the digit span and letter-number sequencing, leading to a low average working memory index.
While most people living with Duchenne have no issues with mental health, there are increased risks of delayed development, as well as learning and behavior issues, difficulties with social interactions, and issues with emotional adjustment.
The literature suggests patients with OPMD can present with a broad psychopathological spectrum including cognitive decline and dementia.
Dietary and lifestyle changes cannot directly impact muscular degradation. However, many people with muscular dystrophy have limited mobility, which makes proper nutrition essential. A high-fiber, high-protein, low-calorie diet with proper fluid intake is recommended for many patients with muscular dystrophy.
The mutations cause changes in the muscle fibres that interfere with the muscles' ability to function. Over time, this causes increasing disability. The mutations are often inherited from a person's parents.
Most people's condition will get worse over time, and some people may lose the ability to walk, talk, or care for themselves. But that doesn't happen to everyone. Other people can live for many years with mild symptoms.
Cognitive deficits (language problems, mental retardation, ADHD, etc.) causing social difficulties. Psychosocial factors such as anxiety or depression. The physical limitations and fatigue caused by Duchenne making it difficult for the child to keep up with others during play activities, sports, or games.
Muscular dystrophies are a group of muscle diseases caused by mutations in a person's genes. Over time, muscle weakness decreases mobility, making everyday tasks difficult.
As the disease progresses, the muscles in the diaphragm that assist in breathing and coughing may weaken. Individuals may experience breathing difficulties, respiratory infections, and swallowing problems. Bone thinning and scoliosis (curving of the spine) are common.
DM can cause mental fatigue, daytime sleepiness, forgetfulness, confusion or “brain fog”, all related to altered brain activity. However, there is some good news – the number of nerve cells in the brains of people with DM is nearly normal.
A new study by the Bartolomucci and Ervasti labs at the University of Minnesota has brought to light how stress − an important environmental, internal, and external factor that affects the sick and healthy alike − can worsen the outcome of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
These impairments are caused by gene mutations, especially by CNS-expressed isoforms. These impairments, however, do not encompass every aspect of their intellectual ability. Patients with DMD show deficits in sequential information processing and alterations of attention and processing speed.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common type of muscular dystrophy. The life expectancy for this type is around the ages of 16 to the early 20s. Becker muscular dystrophy has a higher life expectancy, usually in the 30s.
End stage cardio-respiratory failure is the most common cause of death in DMD. Young unexpected deaths do still occur. Vigilance is needed for nutritional, respiratory and cardiac failure at any age.
DMD leads to loss of ambulation before adolescence and, without treatment, life expectancy does not reach beyond late teens [8]. The two most common causes of death in DMD are respiratory and cardiac failure [9,10,11].
A good practice is to avoid processed foods, such as white bread, sugar, and pasta. Sugar-sweetened beverages, like carbonated drinks, coffee, and alcohol, are also not advised. In some instances, nutritional supplements may be required to fulfill the patient's daily nutrient needs.
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of rare diseases that cause muscles to weaken and deteriorate. MD affects the voluntary muscles that control movement in the arms, legs, and trunk. It also can affect involuntary muscles, such as the heart and respiratory muscles.
Weakness of the voluntary muscles usually is the most noticeable symptom for people with adult-onset DM. The natural history of DM1 is that of gradual progression in weakness. The distal muscles (those farthest from the center of the body) usually are the first and sometimes the only limb muscles affected in DM1.
What causes muscular dystrophy (MD)? Most cases of MD are caused by gene mutations (changes in the DNA sequence) that affect muscle proteins. The mutations are usually inherited, but in some cases they occur spontaneously. These spontaneous mutations can then be inherited by an affected person's offspring.
In most cases, muscular dystrophy (MD) runs in families. It usually develops after inheriting a faulty gene from one or both parents. MD is caused by mutations (alterations) in the genes responsible for healthy muscle structure and function.
In patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), speech problems may precede muscle weakness. Some of the speech problems experienced by patients with DMD include late onset of speech, problems with finding words, and non-fluent speech.