muscular distrophy, muscular dystrophey
What is Muscular Dystrophy
(MD)?Muscular dystrophy (MD) refers to a group of genetic diseases
characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal or
voluntary muscles which control movement. The muscles of the heart and
some other involuntary muscles are also affected in some forms of muscular dystrophy, and
a few forms involve other organs as well. The major forms of Muscular Dystrophy include
myotonic, Duchenne, Becker, limb-girdle, facioscapulohumeral, congenital,
oculopharyngeal, distal and Emery-Dreifuss. Duchenne is the most common
form of muscular dystrophy affecting children, and myotonic muscular dystrophy is the most common form
affecting adults. Muscular dystrophy can affect people of all ages. Although some forms
first become apparent in infancy or childhood, others may not appear until
middle age or later.
Muscular Dystrophy TreatmentThere is no specific treatment for any of the forms of
MD. Physical therapy to prevent contractures (a condition in which
shortened muscles around joints cause abnormal and sometimes painful
positioning of the joints), orthoses (orthopedic appliances used for
support) and corrective orthopedic surgery may be needed to improve the
quality of life in some cases. The cardiac problems that occur with
Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and myotonic muscular dystrophy may require a pacemaker. The myotonia
(delayed relaxation of a muscle after a strong contraction) occurring in
myotonic MD may be treated with medications such as phenytoin or quinine.
What is the Prognosis of Muscular Dystrophy?The
prognosis of MD varies according to the type of muscular dystrophy and the progression of
the disorder. Some cases may be mild and very slowly progressive, with
normal lifespan, while other cases may have more marked progression of
muscle weakness, functional disability and loss of ambulation. Life
expectancy may depend on the degree of progression and late respiratory
deficit. In Duchenne muscular dystrophy, death usually occurs in the late teens to early
20s.
What research is being
done on muscular dystrophy?The NINDS supports a broad program of research on Muscular Dystrophy. The
goals of these studies are to increase understanding of muscular dystrophy and its
cause(s), develop better therapies, and, ultimately, find ways to prevent
and cure the disorder.
Keeping on Top of Your Condition
Keeping in tune with your disease or condition not only makes treatment less intimidating but also increases its chance of success, and has been shown to lower a patients risk of complications. As well, as an informed patient, you are better able to discuss your condition and treatment options with your physician.
A new service available to patients provides a convenient means of staying informed, and ensures that the information is both reliable and accurate. If you wish to find out more about HealthNewsflash's innovative service, take the tour.
Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy (FSHD) Society
3 Westwood Road
Lexington, MA 02420
info@fshsociety.org
http://www.fshsociety.org/
Tel:
781-860-0501
Fax: 781-860-0599
Muscular Dystrophy Association
3300 East Sunrise Drive
Tucson, AZ 85718-3208
mda@mdausa.org
http://www.mdausa.org/
Tel:
520-529-2000 800-572-1717
Fax: 520-529-5300
Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation
2330 North Meridien
Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208
mdff@mdff.org
http://www.mdff.org/
Tel: 317-923-6333
800-544-1213
Fax: 317-923-6334
Parent Project for Muscular Dystrophy Research
1012 North
University Blvd.
Middletown, OH 45042
ParentProject@aol.com
http://www.parentprojectmd.org/
Tel:
413-424-0696 800-714-KIDS (5437)
Fax: 513-425-9907
|
