Like many diseases and illnesses, muscular dystrophy has no favorites. It affects young and old alike. This disease causes muscle weakness, affects the central nervous system, heart, gastrointestinal tract, causing cataracts in eyes, and the hormone producing endocrine gland. The early signs of Duchenne, which commonly occur between two and six, include frequent falling, difficulty getting up from sitting or lying down, and waddling gait. Another telltale sign is the enlargement of the calf and some times other muscles.
Progression varies somewhat from child to child.
Becker dystrophy can first appear much later than Duchenne, even as late as 25 years old. It typically progresses slower, the severity varies, and the life expectancy is longer. In the most common forms of this disease, it causes progressive weakness that starts in the hips and moves to the shoulders. This weakness progresses to include the arms and legs. Progression of FSH is slow.