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9 common types of muscular dystrophy and their symptoms

9 common types of muscular dystrophy and their symptoms

Muscular dystrophy causes the loss of muscle mass. Over time, the muscles lose their strength. Muscular dystrophy generally refers to a group of over 30 genetic conditions. Abnormal gene mutations cause these debilitating conditions. The mutations interfere with the normal production of proteins. As a result, there is a disruption in the generation and regeneration of healthy muscle mass. Each of these conditions has its own set of symptoms.

Here are some common signs to watch out for based on the type of muscular dystrophy:

1. Duchenne-type muscular dystrophy
This is one of the most common types of muscular dystrophy. It is mostly observed among children assigned male at birth (AMAB). However, those assigned female at birth (AFAB) may also be at risk. Most of these symptoms appear during childhood.

  • Finding it difficult to get up from a sitting or lying position
  • Showing signs of delayed growth
  • Falling frequently
  • Experiencing difficulty jumping or running
  • Walking on the toes
  • Waddling gait
  • Experiencing muscular stiffness and pain
  • Having enlarged calf muscles

Becker muscular dystrophy
This is another common type of muscular dystrophy. Most of the signs of this condition are nearly identical to those of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. But the severity of the symptoms is milder. Also, the progress of the symptoms is slower in Becker muscular dystrophy. In most cases, most of these symptoms start showing during the teenage years. But sometimes, symptoms only appear in adulthood, i.e., after the mid-20s. Common signs of this type of muscular dystrophy include the following:

  • Walking gets difficult over a period of time
  • Walking up the stairs gets harder
  • Having a low tolerance for exercise
  • Experiencing frequent muscle pain and spasms
  • Showing a tendency to walk on toes
  • Feeling fatigued

Myotonic muscular dystrophy
This type of muscular dystrophy is commonly diagnosed in adulthood. Men and women are both at equal risk. In myotonic muscular dystrophy, it becomes difficult to relax a muscle after contractions. In the initial stages, it usually affects the muscles of the face and neck. Some common signs of this type of muscular dystrophy include the following:

  • Cloudy eye lenses or cataracts
  • Cardiac arrhythmia or slow and irregular heartbeat
  • Slurred speech
  • Dysphagia or problems with swallowing
  • Frequent diarrhea, constipation, incontinence, and other problems with bowel movement
  • Changes in behavior and personality
  • Issues related to the endocrine system, such as thyroid disease and diabetes
  • Changes in face structure, such as a long and thin face with drooping eyelids and a swan-like neck

Facioscapulohumeral (FSHD) muscular dystrophy
In FSHD, the muscles of the face, shoulders, and hips are affected in the initial stages. There is a loss of muscle mass, and weakness sets in. Most of these symptoms are visible before the age of 20. Thus, the symptoms start during the teenage years. But there are cases when the symptoms become evident even in childhood or after the age of 50. The common signs include the following:

  • Protruding shoulder blades when the arms are raised upwards
  • Difficulty reaching above the shoulder level
  • Droopy eyelids
  • Weak cheek muscles
  • Decreased facial expression due to weakness of facial muscles
  • Backward or forward leaning
  • High steppage gait
  • Changes in posture

Limb-girdle (LGMD) muscular dystrophy
In LGMD, the muscles of the shoulders, upper arms, hips, and upper legs are affected. The muscle mass in these areas loses strength over time. This type of muscle dystrophy can occur at any age. The onset of these symptoms usually starts in childhood or the teenage years. Common symptoms include the following:

  • Wakened hip muscles and shoulders
  • Difficulty lifting the front part of the foot
  • Frequent falling and tripping
  • Difficulty in climbing stairs
  • Difficulty in getting up from the floor
  • Unable to raise arms above the head
  • Difficulty in lifting objects

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD)
EDMD is generally observed among children and young adults, particularly men. It affects the muscles in the upper arms, shoulders, and shins. In some cases, the heart is also affected. Most of these symptoms progress slowly over a period of time.

  • Tightness in muscles
  • Rigidity in spinal movements
  • Stiffness in the Achilles’ tendons in the heels, causing toe walking
  • Difficulty in bending the elbows
  • Abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias
  • Sensation of fluttering or pounding in the chest
  • Slow heartbeat or bradycardia
  • Frequent bouts of dizziness or fainting

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD)
OPMD is one of the rare forms of muscular dystrophy. It is known to affect about 1 in 100,000 people. It primarily affects the muscle mass in the throat and the eyelids. Most of its common symptoms start appearing in the 40s or 50s.

  • Droopy eyelids that may require special glasses to brace the eyelids open or surgery to raise the eyelids
  • Dysphagia or choking or swallowing problems, particularly for dry and solid foods
  • Shrinking of the tongue
  • Pooling of saliva
  • Facial muscle weakness
  • Leg and arm weakness

Congenital muscular dystrophies (CMD)
CMD is a group of conditions that are diagnosed at birth. In some cases, some of these conditions may be diagnosed right before birth. In general, the symptoms become apparent right before the age of two years. Some forms of CMD may progress slowly over time, with mild intensity. But in some rare cases, the condition may progress rapidly, leading to severe health issues. Some common signs of this form of muscular dystrophy include the following:

  • Muscle weakness
  • Joint stiffness or looseness
  • Scoliosis or spinal curvature
  • Breathing issues
  • Intellectual disabilities
  • Learning disabilities
  • Vision problems
  • Seizures

Distal muscular dystrophy
This type of muscular dystrophy starts in the muscles of the lower arms, hands, legs, and feet. The symptoms start appearing during middle age, that is, in the 40s or later in life, near the age of 60. Some of the common symptoms include these:

  • Progressive weakness and degeneration of the affected muscles
  • Atrophy or muscle wasting
  • Wakened and smaller muscles
  • Limited range of motion
  • Restricted mobility

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