Muscular dystrophy often occurs due to genetic mutations which results in progressive weakness, loss of muscle mass, inability to move, difficulty in breathing, and other such symptoms. The said genes interfere with the production of muscle proteins required for maintaining and developing one’s muscles. This condition is debilitating, and it can get worse with age. To date, there is no cure for muscular dystrophy, but various medications are available for alleviating some of the associated pain and discomfort. There are various types of muscular dystrophy depending on the localized muscles affected as a result of this genetic mutation. Read on to know more about the types of muscular dystrophy.

Types of muscular dystrophy

• Duchenne type muscular dystrophy: It is the most common type of muscular dystrophy. What’s unusual about this type of dystrophy is that it tends to affect boys more than girls. While the girls affected are often carriers of the mutated genes, the boys (one-third of them) acquire muscular dystrophy due to a sudden genetic mutation. Some of the early symptoms of this condition are frequent falls, inability to get up fast from a supine position, waddling gait, walking on the toes, and huge calf muscles.
• Becker muscular dystrophy: This type of muscular dystrophy is similar to the last one, with one difference – the immediate effects are not noticeable until much later in life. Even though the condition may occur during the teen years, its effects may not be visible until much later in life, probably after a decade or two.
• Myotonic dystrophy : This type of muscular dystrophy occurs in and around the facial area. Patients with this condition may not be able to relax some of their muscles after use.
• Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD): It usually affects a patient’s face and shoulder muscles and leads to the shoulders sticking out.
• Congenital muscular dystrophy: Even though this may occur early on, its effects are often mild.
• Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy: This type of muscular dystrophy often causes difficulty in lifting the legs. So, many patients with this type of muscular dystrophy tend to trip and fall down. The onset usually takes place during childhood or teen years, but the symptoms may become apparent a little later. It progressively worsens with time.

It is vital that one consults a specialist immediately, and they will need to see a doctor regularly as they may have to adapt and change their current lifestyle to accommodate this condition. Note that some key functions of the body can be affected due to muscular dystrophy. For example, one may not be able to draw a deep breath or stand upright because of muscular dystrophy. The doctor may prescribe a course of treatment and some medications to help alleviate some of the symptoms, but as of now, there is no cure for muscular dystrophy. Hence, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible.