What body systems are affected by muscular dystrophy?

What body systems are affected by muscular dystrophy?

Many individuals eventually lose the ability to walk. Some types of MD also affect the heart, gastrointestinal system, endocrine glands, spine, eyes, brain, and other organs. Respiratory and cardiac diseases may occur, and some people may develop a swallowing disorder.

How does muscular dystrophy affect a person?

Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. In muscular dystrophy, abnormal genes (mutations) interfere with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscle.

How does muscular dystrophy affect physical development?

Children with Duchenne MD may need a wheelchair by the time they’re 12 years old, as their muscles weaken and they lose the ability to walk. They can also develop scoliosis, where the spine begins to curve sideways. This can lead to one shoulder or hip being higher than the other.

What happens to your body when you have muscular dystrophy?

The patient loses its strength to walk, sit, breathe and move hands and arms. In severe cases, it affects heart and lung muscles that may cause life-threatening consequences. What Effect Does Muscular Dystrophy Have On The Body? Problems With Movement – it usually affects the voluntary muscles of the body that control the movement of the body.

How does Duchenne muscular dystrophy affect the brain?

In some cases, Duchenne muscular dystrophy can also lead to learning disabilities if the brain is affected by the lack of dystrophin. Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

How does myotonic dystrophy affect all age groups?

Myotonic dystrophy (DM) can affect all age groups, and people living with DM often have different symptoms at different ranges of severity. DM can also affect a range of systems, so symptom management requires a more expansive approach. You’ll likely need to coordinate with a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive care.

How does limb girdle muscular dystrophy affect the brain?

The effects of muscular dystrophy on brain include cognitive impairment, lower IQ, neural shrinkage, loss of neurons, abnormal dendrites and synaptic dysfunction. Various drugs are used to manage the effects such as anticonvulsants are used to manage seizures. What is Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy & How is it Treated? Was this article helpful?

Muscular dystrophy is an umbrella term for over 30 muscle-wasting disorders of the skeletal muscles, heart, eyes, and the nervous system. Although the condition is defined as a disorder of the skeletal muscles, various body systems can be affected, including the nervous system, heart, skin, eyes, endocrine system, and gastrointestinal system.

What are symptoms or effects of muscular dystrophy?

The patient may also experience signs of muscular dystrophy such as frequent falls, trouble negotiating grade or terrain changes, and gait abnormalities such as walking on the toes. As muscular dystrophy progresses, the patient can develop enlarged muscles, drooping of the eyelids and face, and difficulty breathing.

How many people are affected with muscular dystrophy?

Muscular Dystrophy is listed as a “rare disease” by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that Muscular Dystrophy, or a subtype of Muscular Dystrophy, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.

How can you fix muscular dystrophy?

• Physical therapy. A combination of physical activity and stretching exercises can maintain flexibility and strength in the muscles.
• respiratory therapy can help prevent or delay respiratory problems.
• Speech therapy.
• Occupational therapy.
• Surgery.
• Drugs.