Muscular Dystrophy

People with muscular dystrophy inherited abnormal genes that control muscle development and function

The various types of muscular dystrophy affect different muscles

Affected muscles are weak

Sometimes the heart muscle or the muscles that control breathing are weak, which can be dangerous

Muscular dystrophy can't be cured, but physical therapy may help relieve symptoms

Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is the most common form of muscular dystrophy. The muscles of the face and shoulder are affected. Muscular dystrophies are a group of inherited muscle... read more : the most common type of muscular dystrophy—symptoms begin between ages 7 and 20 and include weakness of the face and shoulder muscles

Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Becker muscular dystrophy Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Becker Muscular Dystrophy Muscular dystrophies are a group of inherited muscle disorders in which one or more genes needed for normal muscle structure and function are defective, leading to muscle weakness of varying... read more : the next most common types and the most severe—muscle weakness develops in childhood or teen years, nearly always in boys

Emery-Dreifuss dystrophy: this type affects the upper arms, lower legs, and often the heart (heart problems can cause sudden death)

Limb-girdle dystrophy: this type affects shoulder and hip muscles

Congenital myopathies Congenital Myopathies Congenital myopathies are rare, inherited disorders of the muscles that cause reduced muscle tone and weakness. These disorders are present at birth or show up during infancy. There are several... read more : a group of muscle problems that you’re born with or that show up when you’re an infant

Familial periodic paralysis Familial Periodic Paralysis Familial periodic paralysis is a rare inherited disorder that causes sudden attacks of weakness and paralysis. There are four different forms, which involve abnormalities in how electrolytes... read more : a rare disease that runs in families and leads to sudden attacks of weakness and paralysis (not being able to move part or all of your body)

Glycogen storage diseases Glycogen Storage Diseases Glycogen storage diseases are carbohydrate metabolism disorders that occur when there is a defect in the enzymes that are involved in the metabolism of glycogen, often resulting in growth abnormalities... read more : a group of rare diseases that run in families and lead to glycogen (a starch that comes from sugar) building up in your muscles

Muscle weakness

Paralysis (not being able to move part or all of your body)

Difficulty raising the arms

In children, a delay in learning to walk or difficulty running, jumping, or climbing stairs

Blood tests

Muscle biopsy (doctors take a small piece of muscle to look at under a microscope)

Physical therapy

Ankle or leg braces

Medicine

Muscular Dystrophy Association