They are characterized by weakness and wasting of skeletal muscles without the breakdown of nerve tissue. In all forms of muscular dystrophy there is a slow loss of strength with increasing disability and deformity. Each type of the disease differs in the muscles affected, the age at which it begins, and the rate of its progress. The basic cause is unknown. However, it appears to be an inherited disorder of body functioning.
Diagnosis is based on examining a piece of muscle, muscle tests, and a family history.
Treatment consists mainly of physical therapy and surgery to reduce deformity. The Muscular Dystrophy Self-help Group Chat meets on Friday nights at 9 PM eastern time in The Equal Access Cafe . I host this chat under the screen name HOST AHTH Weelz . There also is Muscular Dystrophy Mutual Support Group Chat that meets on Monday nights at 7 PM eastern time in The Equal Access Cafe . I cohost this chat along with HOST AHTH Amy , and HOST AHTH Duzah2 .