Muscular DystrophyMuscular dystrophy is a collection of disorders that cause muscular weakness and gradually degeneration. This damage and weakness are caused by a deficiency of dystrophin, a protein required for normal muscular function. Lack of this protein can result in difficulties in WalkingSwallowingMuscular coordinationThe diagnosis of this condition occurs in childhood. Muscular dystrophies can affect both men and women. The two most frequent forms, however, Duchenne and Becker, are substantially more common in men. Signs & Symptoms of Muscular DystrophyThere are several types of muscular dystrophy, which vary in symptoms and severity. Some are described below:Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is most common among children. The majority of individuals affected are boys. It’s rare for a girls to develop it.The symptoms include:Trouble in walkingLoss of reflexesDifficulty in standing upPoor postureOsteoporosisScoliosis (an abnormal curvature of the spine)Difficulty in breathingSwallowing problemsCardiac problemsPeople with DMD often need a wheelchair before the age of adolescence. People with DMD manage to sustain a living until their late teens or early twenties. This is attributed in part to medical advancements, such as cardiac and respiratory care.Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD)Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is a less severe form of DMD. This kind of muscular dystrophy is also more frequent in boys than girls.Muscle weakness affects the arms and legs the most, with symptoms developing between the ages of 11 to 25 years.Other BMD symptoms include:Stepping on one's toesMuscular crampsDifficulty in getting up from the floorMany persons with this illness will not use a wheelchair until they are in their mid-30s or later, and a tiny minority will never use one. Most persons with BMD live into their forties or later.Congenital Muscular Dystrophy Congenital muscular dystrophies are frequently seen between birth to 2 years. When parents see that their child's motor skills and muscular control aren't developing, it's a red flag for congenital muscular dystrophy.Symptoms include:Muscle wastingMotor control issuesIncapability to sit or stand without assistanceFoot abnormalities caused by scoliosisRespiratory problems Issues related to vision and speechMyotonic DystrophyMyotonia, or the inability to relax your muscles after they have contracted, is caused by this kind of muscular dystrophy. Myotonia is not a sign of other kinds of muscular dystrophy, although it is a symptom of other muscle diseases.Myotonic dystrophy can affect:Central nervous systemFacial muscles HeartAdrenal glandsGastrointestinal tractEyesSymptoms are most commonly seen in the face and neck. They are as follows:Drooping of the facial musclesInability to elevate the neckDroopy eyelidsDifficulty in swallowingPtosisEarly balding in the front portion of the headCataractSweating (increases due to weight reduction)ImpotencyTesticular atrophySome of the other forms of muscular dystrophy, although less prevalent, are as follows:Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD)Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD)Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD)Distal muscular dystrophyEmery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD)Causes of Muscular DystrophyMuscular dystrophy is caused by genetic differences. The proteins that determine muscle integrity are encoded by many genes. The types of genetic pathologies causing muscular dystrophy are described as below:Inherited Autosomal Dominant DiseaseAn individual inherits a gene difference on one of the 22 autosomal chromosomes from just one parent. Each gender has a 50% chance of inheriting muscular dystrophy, and both sexes are equally vulnerable. Due to the fact that this is a dominant gene, only one parent has to be a carrier for their kid to have muscular dystrophy.Inherited Autosomal Recessive DiseaseAn individual receives a gene difference on one of the 22 autosomal chromosomes from both parents. Both the parents are carriers of the gene but do not have muscular dystrophy. Children have a 50% chance of inheriting one copy of the gene and becoming carriers, as well as a 25% chance of receiving both copies. Both sexes are in danger.Disorder of the X Chromosome (Sex-linked)This inheritance is linked to the genes associated with the X chromosome. If a kid inherits a defective X chromosome, they will get muscular dystrophy (as is typically the case with children assigned male at birth).Spontaneous MutationMuscular dystrophy arises as a result of a spontaneous alteration in genes in this situation.Once the mutation has taken place, the carrier of the sufferer can pass it on to their offspring.Risk Factors for Muscular DystrophyMuscular dystrophy is a hereditary disease. Hence, family history is very important.DMD and BMD are connected to the X chromosomes, hence boys are significantly more prone to acquiring them.Complications of Muscular Dystrophy Muscular dystrophy advances differently in each individual. Complications differ according to the kind of muscular dystrophy. Some of the more prevalent problems are as follows:MovementBreathingHeart rateSpine movementPregnant women with muscular dystrophy are more likely to transmit it to their child.Mobility ShiftsMuscle weakness that worsens over time can impede movement. Many persons with muscular dystrophy will eventually need assistive devices, such as a wheelchair. Wheelchairs that are specially built to increase comfort and give proper muscular support.Respiratory ProblemsIt can cause breathing difficulties because muscular weakening makes breathing more difficult. Aspiration, or the presence of material in the airway or lungs, can result from difficulty swallowing. Overall, the respiratory system has a more difficult time getting oxygen into the body and releasing carbon dioxide.Heart ProblemsCardiomyopathy is common in people with muscular dystrophy.Scoliosis & ContracturesMuscular dystrophy can also damage the skeletal muscles, which allow tendons and joints to move freely. As a result, tendons and joints are pulled into a flexed posture permanently. This is known as a contracture. Scoliosis is caused by a lack of strength in the spinal muscles.Diagnosis of Muscular DystrophyA variety of tests can assist your doctor in diagnosing muscular dystrophy. Your doctor can do the following:Blood tests: Elevated serum creatine kinase, aldolase, and myoglobin levels may indicate the need for further testing to confirm or rule out muscular dystrophy.Genetic analysis: High creatine kinase levels and symptoms of dystrophin deficiency may signal the need for genetic testing. This test looks for a significant mutation in the dystrophin (DMD) gene.Electromyography (EMG): It monitors the electrical activity of your muscles by inserting an electrode needle into your muscle. It can assist doctors in distinguishing between muscular dystrophy and a nerve condition.Neurological physical examination: This evaluation excludes nervous system problems and assesses muscular strength and reflexes.Cardiac examination: Cardiac testing detects cardiac abnormalities that can arise in people with muscular dystrophy. An echocardiography is used to examine the structure of the heart.Imaging examinations: Doctors can see the amount of muscle inside the body using MRI and ultrasound.Exercises: Exercise evaluations take into account muscle strength, respiration, and the effects of exercise on the body.Treatment of Muscular DystrophyThere is currently no cure for muscular dystrophy. Having said that, medications can help control symptoms and reduce the disease's course. Treatment options are determined on your symptoms and the type of muscular dystrophy you have.MedicationsNew medicines for certain persons with DMD have been authorised by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many of these therapies include a novel technique known as 'exon skipping,' in which a defective region (exon) of the dystrophin gene is patched over so that the body can generate the protein.The new medications are:Eteplirsen (Exondys 51)Golodirsen (Vyondys 53)Viltolarsen (Viltepso)Casimersen (Amondys 45)Deflazacort (Emflaza)Muscle TherapyMuscle therapy has been shown to be helpful. Therapies include the following:Physical therapy, including physical exercise and stretchingRespiratory therapy to keep muscles strong and flexibleSpeech therapy, which uses particular strategies such as slower speech, stopping between breaths, and utilizing special equipment to save muscular strengthOccupational therapy, which focuses on daily tasks, can help people with muscular dystrophy in:becoming more self-sufficient increasing coping abilitiesenhancing social skillsaccess to various community servicesOther TreatmentsSurgery may be used to treat certain contractures. Corticosteroids and physical therapy may aid in the prevention of scoliosis.ConclusionThe type of muscular dystrophy is determined by:Symptoms Age of onsetPrognosisNew research is being conducted in the hopes of finding a cure for DMD. In 2018, scientists discovered a method to fix a gene in canine models, assuring appropriate dystrophin production. They want to utilize this sophisticated gene editing approach on patients with DMD one day.Referenceshttps://www.healthline.com/health/muscular-dystrophy#treatment