It effects only males. Women are carriers
Muscular dystrophy can appear in infancy up to middle age or later, and its form and severity are determined in part by the age at which it occurs. Some types of muscular dystrophy affect only males; some people with MD enjoy a normal life span with mild symptoms that progress very slowly; others experience swift and severe muscle weakness and wasting, dying in their late teens to early 20s.
Two conditionsa that affect the muscular system: Duchenne Muscle Dystrophy (DMD) and Myotonic Mucsle Dystrophy (MMD). DMD is the most common childhood form of muscular dystrophies while MMD is the most common adult form of muscular dystrophies.
8 and 13
There are many disorders that affect the muscular system. Two that may be best known are muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig's disease.
primarily affects the skeletal muscles and the muscles of the heart.
MD is a genetic disorder that destroys muscles that help the body move.
Muscular Dystrophy (abbr. MD) is a genetic disorder that DESTROYS MUSCLES that help the body move. As the muscle is destroyed they are replaced with fat and and connective tissue. Source.: Textbook: Human Biology 11th edition, pg 268; Silvia S. Mader.
polymyositis (directly effect muscle)dematomyositis (directly effect muscle)eaton-lambert syndrome (indirectly)kennedy syndrome (indirectly)myotonic dystrophy (indirectly)tenaie solium infection (directly)duchenne's muscular dystrophybecker's muscular dystrophycarnitine palmitoyl transferase deficiencyYou can go to: http://www.doctor-dubai.com/dr_info_display.asp?dr_id=1243 to get more information.
Several conditions have been shown to be sex-linked in humans. The most well-known example is color blindness, which is more common in males due to its location on the X chromosome. Other sex-linked conditions include hemophilia and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, both of which predominantly affect males.
An example of a disease that effect the muscular system is Lou Gehrig's in which the muscles become extremely deteriorated overtime so that eventually the muscles in your lungs that allow you to breath aren't able to function anymore and you suffocate.
Yes, there are diseases that target the muscular system. The one most people are familiar with is MD, muscular dystrophy. Another one is actually a nervous system disorder but if affects the muscles and that is Lou Gehrig's disease.
DefinitionDuchenne muscular dystrophy is an inherited disorder that involves rapidly worsening muscle weakness.Alternative NamesPseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy; Muscular dystrophy - Duchenne typeCauses, incidence, and risk factorsDuchenne muscular dystrophy is a rapidly-worsening form of muscular dystrophy. Other muscular dystrophies (including Becker's muscular dystrophy) get worse much more slowly.Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by a defective gene for dystrophin (a protein in the muscles). However, it often occurs in people without a known family history of the condition.Because of the way the disease is inherited, males are more likely to develop symptoms than are women. The sons of females who are carriers of the disease (women with a defective gene but no symptoms themselves) each have a 50% chance of having the disease. The daughters each have a 50% chance of being carriers.Duchenne muscular dystrophy occurs in approximately 1 out of every 3,600 male infants. Because this is an inherited disorder, risks include a family history of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.SymptomsSymptoms usually appear before age 6 and may appear as early as infancy. They may include:FatigueMental retardation (possible, but does not worsen over time)Muscle weakness Begins in the legs and pelvis, but also occurs less severely in the arms, neck, and other areas of the bodyDifficulty with motor skills (running, hopping, jumping)Frequent fallsRapidly worsening weaknessProgressive difficulty walkingAbility to walk may be lost by age 12By age 10, the person may need braces for walking. By age 12, most patients are confined to a wheelchair.Signs and testsA complete nervous system (neurological), heart, lung, and muscle exam may show:Abnormal heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)Congestive heart failure or irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmias) -- rareDeformities of the chest and back (scoliosis)Enlarged calf muscles, which are eventually replaced by fat and connective tissue (pseudohypertrophy)Loss of muscle mass (wasting)Muscle contractures in the heels, legsMuscle deformitiesRespiratory disorders, including pneumonia and aspiration of food or fluid into the lungs (in late stages of the disease)Tests may include:Electromyography (EMG)Genetic testsMuscle biopsySerum CPKTreatmentThere is no known cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Treatment aims to control symptoms to maximize quality of life. Gene therapy may become available in the future.Activity is encouraged. Inactivity (such as bedrest) can worsen the muscle disease. Physical therapy may be helpful to maintain muscle strength and function. Orthopedic appliances (such as braces and wheelchairs) may improve mobility and the ability to care for yourself.Support GroupsYou can ease the stress of illness by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See muscular dystrophy - support group. The Muscular Dystrophy Association is an excellent source of information on this disease.Expectations (prognosis)Duchenne muscular dystrophy leads to quickly worsening disability. Death usually occurs by age 25, typically from lung disorders.ComplicationsCardiomyopathyCongestive heart failure (rare)DeformitiesHeart arrhythmias (rare)Mental impairment (varies, usually minimal)Permanent, progressive disability Decreased mobilityDecreased ability to care for selfPneumonia or other respiratory infectionsRespiratory failureCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if:Your child has symptoms of Duchenne muscular dystrophySymptoms worsen, or new symptoms develop, particularly fever with cough or breathing difficultiesPreventionGenetic counseling is advised if there is a family history of the disorder. Duchenne muscular dystrophy can be detected with about 95% accuracy by genetic studies performed during pregnancy.ReferencesKliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF. Muscular dystrophies. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 608.