Duchenne muscular dystrophy symptoms
Duchenne muscular dystrophy comes with all of its own characteristic symptoms and is part of a larger series of muscular dystrophy conditions which affect millions of people all over the world. The main difference between this particular condition and other dystrophies is the specific part of the muscle which is affected as well as the progression of them. The main characteristic symptom of Duchene muscular dystrophy is significant weakness of the skeletal muscles because of certain defects in the formation of crucial muscle proteins which in turn leads to massive cell and tissue death, causing further health complications. The disease slowly spreads throughout the body until eventually the person who is suffering from it succumbs to the symptoms and dies. It is a genetic condition which effectively destroys the muscles which contribute to the formation of dystrophin which is a certain type of muscle protein. One of the most common symptoms of this condition is muscle weakness and wasting along with a number of other things which can cause quite a bit of pain for those who have it. It is passed on to the child by the mother which makes it an “X-link recessive”.
Someone who has this condition will experience the systematic “shutting down” of their muscles, making it harder and harder to walk and do even the simplest things on a daily basis. It is a progressive condition which can be crippling for many depending on what stage it is in. Usually those who find themselves in the later stages of duchenne muscular dystrophy are confined to a wheelchair because of the fact that they cannot walk properly. There are certain exercises that people who have this condition will be able to do in order to avoid being in a wheelchair later on; however sometimes the complete inability to walk is unavoidable. Most of the time this condition starts in the pelvis area and begins to spread as time goes on. Certain children can develop this condition early on and it is crucial to understand what some of the warning signs are so you will be able to help them if they need it.
When this condition appears in children it usually manifests in the form of coordination problems, so that is certainly one thing to look out for. You will also want to notice if your child has any problems waking normally at an early age. If your child falls frequently it could be a sign that they have this condition; a diagnosis will first be rendered and then a prognosis. There are numerous other symptoms to look out for, such as obesity as well as cataracts, baldness, and even dropping eyelids. If these constellation of symptoms begin to appear it is important to seek medical attention from a trained physician who will be able to give you some different treatment options. Studies have revealed that some children who have this condition are also mentally retarded or often experience fatigue.
If someone who has this condition does not seek the proper treatment, their condition can easily become worse and their symptoms will start to intensify and increase in frequency. Some of the more serious problems which are associated with this condition include respiratory failure, heart failure, and certain mental impairments. It is extremely important for those who have duchenne muscular dystrophy to do regular exercises and engage in physical therapy to stave off the symptoms which will only get worse if they do not stay active. Chances are if you get diagnosed with this condition your doctor will recommend that you do physical therapy on a regular basis, whether at home or on an outpatient basis; either one will be able to help you manage the symptoms of this condition which can sometimes be crippling.
Young children are sometimes affected by this condition and it is important to be able to recognize the symptoms early on so they will be able to get the treatment they need and not have to suffer with it into adulthood. Although there is currently no cure for this type of muscular dystrophy, there are a number of things you will be able to do in order to minimize its effects on your body or someone you know. In order to fully empower yourself to treat this condition it will be necessary to see a doctor who will be able to tell you even more about how this kind of muscular dystrophy works and all of the different things you will be able to do for it.
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