Muscular Dystrophy: A Detailed Insight
Muscular Dystrophy isn’t defined as one disease but is a group of diseases that make muscles weaker and less flexible over time. Caused by a problem in the genes that control how the body keeps muscles healthy, the inherited disease most commonly starts early in childhood. Muscular dystrophy is not exclusively a childhood disorder though, with some types of muscular dystrophy not appearing until later in life.
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, it can be very overwhelming to understand what you can expect as the disease progresses and how best to provide or seek the support and care required. iCare Home Health provides premier home care services in Milton, Oakville, and Burlington and is committed to bringing only the most caring people into your home. We can provide a variety of support to help make caring for someone with muscular dystrophy easier and less stressful.
Types Of Muscular Dystrophy
It may surprise you to know that there are more than 30 kinds of muscular dystrophy. Of the 30 different types of muscular dystrophy, there are nine major forms of the disease:
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common form. It mainly affects boys and starts between ages 3 and 5.
Becker muscular dystrophy is similar to Duchenne but milder. It also affects boys but the symptoms start later, usually around ages 11 and 25.
Myotonic muscular dystrophy is the most common form in adults. It can affect both men and women, and it usually starts when people are in their 20s.
Congenital muscular dystrophy starts at birth or shortly afterwards.
Limb-Girdle muscular dystrophy often starts in a person's teens or 20s.
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy affects the muscles of the face, shoulders, and upper arms. It can affect anyone from teenagers to adults in their 40s.
Distal muscular dystrophy affects the muscles of the arms, legs, hands, and feet. It usually comes on later in life, between ages 40 and 60.
Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy starts in a person's 40s or 50s. It causes weakness in the muscles of the face, neck, and shoulders, droopy eyelids, and an eventual difficulty in swallowing.
Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy affects mainly boys, usually starting around age 10. People with this form often have heart problems along with muscle weakness.
Muscular Dystrophy Symptoms
As mentioned, since most types of muscular dystrophy affect younger people, symptoms often start to show up in childhood or the teen years. People with the condition may exhibit:
A high frequency of falls
Weak muscles
Muscle cramps
Trouble getting up, climbing stairs, running, or jumping
Walking on their toes or waddle
A curved spine
Droopy eyelids
Heart problems
Trouble breathing or swallowing
Vision problems
Weakness in the muscles of the face
Treatment Options For Muscular Dystrophy
Currently, there is no cure for muscular dystrophy. However, there are many treatments that can improve symptoms, slow progression and make life easier for those living with the disease and their families.
Treatment options may include:
Physical and occupational therapy.
Speech therapy if throat or face muscles are weak.
Respiratory therapy to learn ways to make it easier to breathe, or get machines to help.
Medicines that can help reduce muscle spasms, slow down damage to muscle cells and help improve muscle strength
Surgery to help deal with complications such as heart issues or trouble swallowing.
What To Expect When Caring For Someone With Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy can be very challenging and the diagnosis will have a big impact on your entire family. The effects of the disease are different for everyone. Some individuals may lose muscle strength very slowly, while others will experience a very quick progression. Many people with the disease will need mobility devices and help with daily living at some point, but that’s not always the case.
If you are a caregiver, know that it is okay to ask for help and to seek out support to help your family live the best life possible while managing this disease. A nurse at home service, live in care or home care assistance can make caring for your loved one much more manageable. iCare Home Health services provide help and support options for Milton area families and we’d be pleased to help you determine the best care options for your family. Please visit our website to request a free assessment or contact us at 905-491-6941.
For more information about muscular dystrophy, visit the Muscular Dystrophy Association website.
