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What are the Symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

There are many different forms of muscular dystrophy, a genetic condition characterized by progressive muscle weakness and eventual muscle wasting. Recognizing the symptoms of muscular dystrophy can help people identify the condition in the early stages, which can allow them more opportunities for treatment and intervention. Especially in families with a history of the disease, it is important to look out for the early warning signs, and to consider genetic counseling to discuss the implications of the family history.

In many patients with muscular dystrophy, early childhood development proceeds normally. However, as the child begins to toddle, signs of muscle weakness such as increased fatigue, difficulty sitting up, trouble walking, waddling, and trouble standing begin to appear. The patient may also experience signs of muscular dystrophy such as frequent falls, trouble negotiating grade or terrain changes, and gait abnormalities such as walking on the toes.

Typically, signs of muscular dystrophy will start developing when a child is a toddler.
Typically, signs of muscular dystrophy will start developing when a child is a toddler.

As muscular dystrophy progresses, the patient can develop enlarged muscles, drooping of the eyelids and face, and difficulty breathing. In some patients, symptoms of muscular dystrophy may not appear until adolescence or adulthood, and the form of muscular dystrophy involved is usually mild. Other patients experience the onset of symptoms at a very early age in infancy or babyhood. Over time, the patient may lose the ability to walk, and experience severe compromise of the joints caused by contractures (or shortening) in the muscles which surround the joints, leading to decreased range of motion for the patient.

Muscular dystrophy leads to progressive muscle weakness.
Muscular dystrophy leads to progressive muscle weakness.

This condition is most commonly seen in boys, because it is an X-linked traits. X-linked traits show up in boys because they inherit a copy of a defective gene in their X chromosome, and the Y chromosome does not have the genetic material to balance out the defective gene. Women can be carriers of muscular dystrophy, but they do not often develop the condition because they need two faulty X chromosomes. Some women do develop mild symptoms of muscular dystrophy when they are carriers, depending on what form they carry.

Women develop muscular dystrophy because they have two faulty X chromosomes.
Women develop muscular dystrophy because they have two faulty X chromosomes.

If the symptoms of muscular dystrophy are identified in a child, a doctor can use a creatine kinase test of the blood as an early diagnostic tool. If the test reveals abnormalities, the doctor may recommend genetic testing to determine which form of muscular dystrophy is involved, using this information to develop treatment recommendations and a long term plan for the patient. Appropriate treatment can radically improve quality of life and independence for the patient, in addition to potentially increasing the patient's lifespan.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

indemnifyme

Wow, I had no idea that muscular dystrophy affects men more than it affects women. Maybe that's why you don't really hear about it in the media too much?

I feel like most of the focus in the media these days is breast cancer and other illnesses that affect women. Not that I think raising money for breast cancer is a bad thing, but there are other diseases (like muscular dystrophy for example) that people should pay attention to as well.

It sounds like muscular dystrophy really alters a persons quality of life. Not to mention the fact that some forms of this disease are fatal! But somehow, I've never heard of a walk for muscular dystrophy or seen any products being sold with proceeds going to muscular dystrophy research. Very unfortunate.

JaneAir

@sunnySkys - The symptoms of muscular dystrophy do sound unpleasant. However, like the article said, there are some treatments available to help patients lead more normal lives. Also, there are several kinds of muscular dystrophy. So not everyone that suffers from this illness ends up needing a wheelchair.

From what I've read, treatment for muscular dystrophy includes some medication and physical therapy. Some patients are prescribed prednisone, which is an oral steroid, to help with the muscle shortening.

Although there isn't a cure for muscular dystrophy, there are still treatments available. There is also research still being done on this condition.

sunnySkys

Muscular dystrophy sounds just awful. When I was reading through the symptoms, it made me feel really grateful to have a healthy body.

I can't imagine not being able to move around normally. In addition to being unable to walk, it sounds like muscle contractures limit the movement of other muscles too. At least some people who are unable to walk have full use of their arms. People with muscular dystrophy seem to have no such luck!

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    • Typically, signs of muscular dystrophy will start developing when a child is a toddler.
      By: jolopes
      Typically, signs of muscular dystrophy will start developing when a child is a toddler.
    • Muscular dystrophy leads to progressive muscle weakness.
      By: Jaren Wicklund
      Muscular dystrophy leads to progressive muscle weakness.
    • Women develop muscular dystrophy because they have two faulty X chromosomes.
      By: Giovanni Cancemi
      Women develop muscular dystrophy because they have two faulty X chromosomes.
    • A child suffering from muscular dystrophy may suffer from frequent falls.
      By: ivolodina
      A child suffering from muscular dystrophy may suffer from frequent falls.
    • Individuals with muscular dystrophy may experience loss of muscle control necessary to perform ordinary tasks, such as teeth brushing.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Individuals with muscular dystrophy may experience loss of muscle control necessary to perform ordinary tasks, such as teeth brushing.
    • Families who have a history of muscular dystrophy should be particularly alert to the early warning signs of the condition, which may not appear until adolescence.
      By: bst2012
      Families who have a history of muscular dystrophy should be particularly alert to the early warning signs of the condition, which may not appear until adolescence.