What is Muscular Dystrophy? !😊💚

Hi everyone!. So I wanted to make this video to talk about what Muscular Dystrophy is in a little more detail and its about time I did lol. I've been doing this awareness challenge since 2014 and have yet to do a video explaining exactly what the illness is that I'm raising awareness for.

What is it?
Muscular Dystrophy is not just one illness its actually group of genetic neuromuscular diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass.

In Muscular Dystrophies, abnormal genes (or mutations) lead to muscle degeneration. Most forms begin in childhood. It is a rare illness there are fewer than 200,000 cases in the US per year. Treatment can help, but the condition currently cannot be cured. Lab tests or imaging are required to make a medical diagnosis. There are around 40 types of Muscular Dystrophy, some are more severe than others. The most common type and the most severe is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, it begins at birth and mostly occurs in boys with rare cases recorded in girls. It is usually terminal.

What are the symptoms?
Damaged muscles become progressively weaker. Most people who have the condition will eventually need a wheelchair. Other symptoms include trouble breathing or swallowing. People may also experience pain in the muscles, abnormality walking, muscle weakness, loss of muscle, or permanent shortening of tendons, and in some cases, delayed development or learning disabilities. Also common are cardiomyopathy, walking on tip toes, constipation, fatigue, and scoliosis. Lifespan is often shortened by the disease.

What are the treatments?
Treatments can consists of steroids, medications, physical therapy, breathing aids(such as C-Pap machines and ventilators, or surgery may help maintain function. Proper treatment of the disease can increase the lifespan of those living with this illness and improve quality of life.

If anyone has any questions for me about living with Muscular Dystrophy please feel free to ask me in the comments below.

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