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Duchenne muscular dystrophy
As the disease progresses, the heart tissue tends to hypertrophy (enlarge), atrophy (waste away), and/or become fibrotic (scarred). Patients often will develop dysfunction of the left ventricle, which is the part of the heart that pumps oxygen-rich blood out to the body.
Some types of MD also affect the heart, lungs, gastrointestinal system, endocrine glands, spine, eyes, brain, or other organs. Some people with MD may develop a swallowing disorder. MD is not contagious and cannot be caused by injury or activity.
A common feature of muscular dystrophy is respiratory failure, i.e. the inability of the respiratory system to provide proper oxygenation and carbon dioxide elimination. In the lung, respiratory failure is caused by recurrent aspiration, and leads to hypoxaemia and hypercarbia.
Loss of respiratory muscle strength, with ensuing ineffective cough and decreased ventilation, leads to pneumonia, atelectasis, and respiratory insufficiency in sleep and while awake (1). These complications are generally preventable with careful serial assessment of respiratory function.
In group 2, fat embolism, cardiac arrhythmia and adrenal insufficiency were also potential contributing factors. Conclusions: The main cause of death in DMD in our population remains cardio-respiratory failure. Four patients (19%) died in their teenage years in the absence of severe cardiorespiratory failure.
The most common cause of death is heart failure from cardiomyopathy. Some patients are found to have the genetic abnormalities of the dystrophin gene, but, clinically, have symptoms between those of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) or Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD).
The average lifespan for Duchenne muscular dystrophy is 18 to 25 years. With early treatment, it can reach 30 years.
General Muscular Dystrophy Symptoms
Difficulty walking. Frequent falling. Difficulty getting up from a lying or sitting position. Limited movement at certain joints (called contracture)
Until recently, children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) did not often live beyond their teens. However, improvements in cardiac and respiratory care mean that life expectancy is increasing, with many DMD patients reaching their 30s, and some living into their 40s and 50s.
By the late teens, DMD may also be characterized by additional potentially life-threatening complications including weakness and deterioration of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy). Cardiomyopathy can result in impairment in the ability of the heart to pump blood, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), and heart failure.
Duchenne MD (DMD)
DMD is the most common and severe form of MD among children, and it accounts for approximately half of MD cases. DMD occurs mostly in boys, usually between 3 and 5 years of age, and progresses rapidly.
Becker muscular dystrophy
It also affects similar areas of the body to Duchenne MD, although the symptoms tend to be less severe. Symptoms of Becker MD usually begin in childhood, but they're often relatively mild at this point.
Heart medications, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or beta blockers, if muscular dystrophy damages the heart.
Cardiomyopathy (kahr-dee-o-my-OP-uh-thee) is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. Cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure.
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle which affects its size, shape or thickness. Common cardiomyopathies include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy can be caused by other heart and circulatory conditions (acquired cardiomyopathy), but it can also be inherited.
The following findings are red flags that indicate the need for an urgent referral to a neurologist: Tongue fasciculations. Loss of motor milestones. Creatine phosphokinase (CK) level higher than three times normal (however, children with some neuromuscular disorders have normal CK levels)
Polymyositis is sometimes mistaken for muscular dystrophy, so careful diagnosis is important. Some of the tests for polymyositis include: Medical history – people with other connective tissue diseases, such as scleroderma, are at greater risk of polymyositis.
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.
myotonic dystrophy – a type of MD that can develop at any age; life expectancy isn't always affected, but people with a severe form of myotonic dystrophy may have shortened lives. facioscapulohumeral MD – a type of MD that can develop in childhood or adulthood; it progresses slowly and isn't usually life-threatening.
In general, the symptoms of muscular dystrophy worsen over time. These conditions are a type of myopathy, a disorder of your skeletal muscles. Depending on the type, muscular dystrophy can affect your ability to move, walk and perform daily activities. It can also affect muscles that help your heart and lungs function.
Muscular dystrophy (MD) refers to a group of inherited genetic muscle conditions. MD causes progressive muscle weakness and muscle wasting because of the degeneration (deterioration) of muscle cells. This means it gets worse over time.
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.
CMDs are a group of disorders that involve more than only muscles; other body structures including the brain, eyes, and heart may be affected.
We also asked people about where they experience pain most frequently. People responded that they most frequently felt pain in the lower back and legs. Back pain was reported in 66% of people with MMD and 74% of people with FSHD. Leg pain was reported in 60% of people with MMD and 72% of people with FSHD.