MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY- Symptoms and Treatment
Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a wide term that means a genetic (inherited) disorder of the muscles. The muscles break down and are restored with fatty acids over the period of time. The most common forms of muscular dystrophy are Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and Becker muscular dystrophy.
These two kinds are quite similar but Becker Muscular Dystrophy is less acute than the DMD. However, it has been observed that girls are rarely impacted by these two forms of muscular dystrophy. Other health issues that are related with muscular dystrophy are the following:
- Heart problems.
- Scoliosis.
- Obesity.
SYMPTOMS
Muscular dystrophy is generally diagnosed in the young children aged between 3 to 6 years. Premature signs of illness include a hindrance in walking, difficulty in rising from a lying or sitting position, and repeated falling with weakness mostly impacting the shoulder and pelvic muscle is one of the early symptoms. The following are the common symptoms of muscular dystrophy. However, each child may encounter different symptoms. Symptoms may include:
- Clumsy movement.
- Difficulty in climbing stairs.
- Frequent falls and trips.
- Unable to hop or jump normally.
- Tip toe walking.
- Facial weakness.
- Leg pain.
- Inability to whistle or close eyes.
- Shoulder and arm weakness.
The signs and symptoms may bear a resemblance to other medical problems or other conditions. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult a paediatric neurologist for your child for accurate diagnosis.
DIAGNOSIS
The diagnosis is done with physical examination and a diagnostic test by your kid’s physician. During the examination, you should elaborate about the child’s complete prenatal and birth history and also inform the doctor if other family members also have this condition.
Diagnostic test for muscular dystrophy may inclusive of:
- Blood tests.
- Muscle biopsy.
- Electromyogram.
- electrocardiogram.
TREATMENT
Certain treatment for muscular dystrophy will be decided by your child’s doctor on the basis of:
- Your child’s age.
- The severity of the condition.
- The type of condition.
- Your preference or opinion.
- Expectation of the course of condition.
- Your child’s toleration for specific medicines, therapies or procedures.
The aim of treatment is to stop the deformity and permits the child to function as normally as he can. MD is a continuous condition that requires the life-long management to avert abnormality or complications. Sitting and walking becomes strenuous as the child grows. Generally by the age of 11, a child needs a wheelchair because the muscles of the legs become too weak to function properly. The healthcare team would assist the parents to improve the child’s condition and provide substantial support as you learn to care for the child’s requirements.