Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy For others, illness development is gradual and may not have an impact on life expectancy. According to current studies, the age of commencement of the disease may be indicative of how quickly the disease would advance, with children being the most severely afflicted. However, this does not always prove true as many children with the disease are already wheelchair dependent by the time it is diagnosed. Adults usually become disabled later in life when muscle loss has already occurred. The severity of symptoms will depend on which type of muscular dystrophy you have. There are several types of muscular dystrophy including: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGD), facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), myotonic dystrophy (DM). Each one has different progression rates and requires different management strategies. It is important to be tested for if you or someone you know has muscular dystrophy because there are treatments available that can slow down the rate of deterioration and improve quality of life. People with muscular dystrophy need care around the clock, 24 hours a day. This includes basic needs such as eating and sleeping, as well as more advanced services, such as pulmonary rehabilitation. Because the disease affects the muscles that control breathing, people with muscular dystrophy are at risk of developing respiratory problems.