Muscular dystrophy – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic

Overview

Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. In muscular dystrophy, abnormal genes (mutations) interfere with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscle.

There are many different kinds of muscular dystrophy. Symptoms of the most common variety begin in childhood, mostly in boys. Other types don't surface until adulthood.

There's no cure for muscular dystrophy. But medications and therapy can help manage symptoms and slow the course of the disease.

The main sign of muscular dystrophy is progressive muscle weakness. Specific signs and symptoms begin at different ages and in different muscle groups, depending on the type of muscular dystrophy.

This is the most common form of muscular dystrophy. Although girls can be carriers and mildly affected, it's much more common in boys.

About one-third of boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) don't have a family history of the disease, possibly because the gene involved may be subject to sudden abnormal change (spontaneous mutation).

Signs and symptoms typically appear in early childhood and may include:

Signs and symptoms are similar to those of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but tend to be milder and progress more slowly. Symptoms generally begin in the teens but may not occur until the mid-20s or even later.

Some types of muscular dystrophy are defined by a specific feature or by where in the body symptoms first begin. Examples include:

Seek medical advice if you notice signs of muscle weakness such as increased clumsiness and falling in yourself or your child.

Certain genes are involved in making proteins that protect muscle fibers from damage. Muscular dystrophy occurs when one of these genes is defective.

Each form of muscular dystrophy is caused by a genetic mutation particular to that type of the disease. Many of these mutations are inherited. But some occur spontaneously in the mother's egg or the developing embryo and can be passed on to the next generation.

Muscular dystrophy occurs in both sexes and in all ages and races. However, the most common variety, Duchenne, usually occurs in young boys. People with a family history of muscular dystrophy are at higher risk of developing the disease or passing it on to their children.

The complications of progressive muscle weakness include:

Feb. 06, 2018

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Muscular dystrophy - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic