Is there a mild form of muscular dystrophy?

Symptoms of Becker muscular dystrophy
Signs and symptoms of the condition are similar to those of DMD, but are usually milder and more varied.

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Can you have a mild case of muscular dystrophy?

There are more than 30 other types of muscular dystrophy, caused by genetic mutations. Some types of the disease are very mild and progress slowly over time as a person ages, causing symptoms that don't greatly affect the ability to move or perform daily activities.

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What is the most mild form of muscular dystrophy?

Becker muscular dystrophy

Signs and symptoms are similar to those of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but tend to be milder and progress more slowly. Symptoms generally begin in the teens but might not occur until the mid-20s or later.

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What is a mild form of muscular dystrophy?

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. For example, a child with the condition may: learn to walk later than usual.

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Are there different levels of muscular dystrophy?

There are 9 types of muscular dystrophy, with each type involving an eventual loss of strength, increasing disability, and possible deformity. The most well known of the muscular dystrophies is Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), followed by Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD).

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Duchenne & Becker muscular dystrophy - causes, symptoms, treatment & pathology

42 related questions found

What can be mistaken for muscular dystrophy?

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.

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Can you have muscular dystrophy and not know it?

For some people, the disease starts early in childhood. Others don't have any symptoms until they are teenagers or middle-aged adults. How muscular dystrophy affects you or your child depends on the kind.

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What are usually the first signs of muscular dystrophy?

Some of the first signs of muscular dystrophy may include delays in sitting, walking, and talking; learning difficulties, walking on toes and/or waddling, walking with legs apart, frequent falls, muscle pain and stiffness, trouble getting up from sitting or lying down, enlarged calf muscles (pseudohypertrophy), and ...

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Is muscular dystrophy always progressive?

Each type of muscular dystrophy is passed on by a different gene, and they all have different courses. However, all of the disorders are always progressive (worsen over time), and always involve destruction and death of muscle fibers at some stage of the disease. MD can begin in infancy, childhood, or adulthood.

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At what age does muscular dystrophy appear?

When does muscle weakness typically begin? Usually between 10–30 years of age, but ranges from birth to 70 years old.

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Which type of muscular dystrophy tends to be the mildest and slowest to progress?

Becker. This form is similar to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but the disease is much milder: symptoms appear later and progress more slowly. It usually appears between the ages of 2 and 16 but can appear as late as age 25.

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Can you slow down muscular dystrophy?

Drug Therapy

Studies show that daily treatment with prednisone can increase muscle strength and respiratory function and slow the progression of weakness in MD.

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Can you live a normal life with muscular dystrophy?

Most patients with Becker muscular dystrophy live into adulthood. With appropriate management of heart problems, they can expect to live a normal lifespan.

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Can you develop muscular dystrophy late in life?

It is common knowledge that oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a late-onset disease, since the age at onset is always beyond 50 years, whereas late-onset Pompe disease starts at age 12 months since this subtype is distinguished from the infantile onset Pompe disease.

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Can you walk with muscular dystrophy?

The rate of muscle atrophy and weakness varies greatly. Many people maintain their ability to walk until they are in their mid-30s or later, while others are unable to walk past their teens. Muscle weakness is typically noticed first in the upper arms and shoulders, upper legs, and pelvis.

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Can you tell if someone has muscular dystrophy?

Symptoms of Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy

Most people with this form of muscular dystrophy first develop weakness around their hips and shoulders. Low back pain is a common symptom. Contractures (limited movement at the joints), breathing issues, and heart problems may also occur in some individuals.

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Does muscular dystrophy show up in blood work?

Blood tests

The muscle damage caused by some types of MD means that the level of creatine kinase in the blood will often be higher than normal. A blood sample may also be used for genetic testing, and this can sometimes identify the cause of muscle problems without the need for a muscle biopsy.

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Can muscular dystrophy get better?

There's currently no cure for muscular dystrophy (MD), but a variety of treatments can help to manage the condition. As different types of MD can cause quite specific problems, the treatment you receive will be tailored to your needs.

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Can you just develop muscular dystrophy?

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.

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What are the red flags for muscular dystrophy?

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)

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What foods should a muscular dystrophy patient avoid?

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.

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What test confirms muscular dystrophy?

Electromyography. An electrode needle is inserted into the muscle to be tested. Electrical activity is measured as you relax and as you gently tighten the muscle. Changes in the pattern of electrical activity can confirm a muscle disease.

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What triggers muscular dystrophy?

MD is caused by mutations (alterations) in the genes responsible for healthy muscle structure and function. The mutations mean that the cells that should maintain your muscles can no longer fulfil this role, leading to muscle weakness and progressive disability.

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Does muscular dystrophy show up on MRI?

In muscular dystrophies, as the disease progresses, muscle tissue gradually is lost and gets replaced by fatty tissue. Edema, or swelling, and inflammation also can occur as muscle tissue is lost. All of these changes can be visualized with an MRI scan.

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What is the onset of muscular dystrophy in adults?

Age at onset is between 20 and 70 years (typically onset occurs after age 40), and life expectancy is normal. The CTG repeat size is usually in the range of 50 to 150. Onset for DM2 ranges from the second to the seventh decade of life, often presenting with myotonia, weakness, or cataracts.

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