10 Things That You Probably Don’t Know About Muscular Dystrophy – [FACTS]

There are various diseases and illnesses that can be found in the medical books. But ordinary people out there have wrong concepts and impressions in most things listed. The same is true with Muscular Dystrophy where at times, people think that it is dangerous and harmful. In fact, according to medical experts, they have explicitly said that it is a genetic disorder wherein an individual cannot move the muscles in his or her body. It has nothing to do on the food that a person takes but it appears that there are missing information on the genes of the person, which are important factors that strengthens the muscle. It is not communicable and it is not even contagious, but it actually weakens anyone beginning childhood going to the adult age, over time. It can be detected early as a baby while at times; it can be diagnosed when someone is already in his or her 30s to late 50s. Here are 10 of the most important facts that most of the people are not aware of, and even those of you who are not familiar with this disease. Be oriented and remember them so you would understand those people who have it or if you know someone that has it.

10. Inability to walk and sit

If this would be detected early on, you will get to observe the child hardly walk by himself or herself, where even sitting alone is a burden. This is the reason that most of the people who were diagnosed of this disease are using wheelchairs and could not even play with other kids.

9. Progressive weakening of the muscles

Not all the time, it can be seen to a newborn baby. But there is a gradual effect that can be felt in the muscle tissues of the body of the person. Perhaps, if it is a kid, it could start between ages 2 to 10, or during teenage years. It actually varies where most of the time, the peak of it might hit an individual when he or she reaches the adult stage. It actually varies depending on the development of it in the person’s body.

8. It could cause Obesity

It is expected that since an individual cannot move and would just sit all the while and the only that they can do is to read and do minimal movements. Nonetheless, the whole process performed by the body, when it moves, especially in releasing enzymes, which is significant to the metabolic process, will be affected. Imagine the person who is sitting the whole day on his/her chair. You could see how the person’s tummy grows since there is no movement at all and so with these people that might not move their whole life.

7. Joint Contractures Could Develop

Since the muscles are weakening progressively, it also causes stiffening that affects the joints near the muscles. Again, since there are minimal movements, joint contractures would happen. It is like any item or machine, which if not being used, would be rusted and later on, cannot be used at all.

6. Vision Problems Occur

Cataract is the initial effect to the eyes of someone who has MD. This happens because the muscle that moves the eyes stops. That makes it harder for eyes to open and close. Artificial lens can replace the affected eye or surgery can be done to correct the vision.

5. Mental Impairment

This is one of the worst things that an individual could experience if it reached that one stage, which is also known as mental retardation. This is also known as cognitive disabilities because of the slower development of the brain, which is caused by genetic abnormalities.

4. Baldness Close to the Forehead

This is an early balding that is normally experienced by older men, which becomes common to those who have this kind of disease.

3. Delays in Development

This is related to mental impairment since there is a slow development of the brain, which affects the communication and comprehension. It impacts the coordination and basic muscle skills.

2. Eyelids Drooping

This is called ptosis wherein the temples of the eyes become hallow and the face becomes thinner. If drooping becomes severe, special eyeglasses that has eyelid clutches can hold the eyes open that can be created by an expert and skilled optician. Although surgery can correct it, but it does not guarantee that it will not come back since the problem is in the muscle.

1. Breathing Problems

Since muscles are the number one target of this disease, the respiratory muscles are part of it that would be weakened since the diaphragm and the breathing muscles are affected. You could see the connection from the brain that controls the whole body system that would be harder for someone to sleep, since receiving enough oxygen becomes harder where a portable breathing booster is needed to support this problem.