DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

DEFINITION

• Disease in which the muscles progressively weaken
• Heart and other organs can be affected
• Genes have a large factor
• Affects only boys

CAUSES

• Caused by defective genes
• Muscle protein named dystrophin

SYMPTOMS

• Calves swell at a young age
• Muscles begin to deteriorate and weaken
• Spine begins to curve

RISK FACTORS

• Ultimately ends in death
• Most die in late teens
• To the early 20s

COMPLICATIONS

• Boys can suffer enormous pain if not on medication
• If not caught early death could come sooner

DIAGNOSED

• Physical exams
• Family medical records
• Muscle biopsy
• Nerve conduction tests
• Blood enzyme tests

TREATMENTS

• There is no cure
• Medications & therapy help pain
• Also slow down the process

PREVENTIONS

• Medications & therapy give the patient
• More time but there is ultimately no
• Prevention

INFORMATION COURTESY

• Of wedmd.com