Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy refers to a group of genetic diseases that cause muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass. With muscular dystrophy, mutated genes interrupt the production of proteins that your body needs to form healthy muscles. Some forms of muscular dystrophy include Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Becker muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), congenital musculodystrophy and limb girdle musculodystrophy. Symptoms can begin to appear at different ages and can affect different muscle groups depending on the form of muscular dystrophy. The most apparent symptom is progressive muscle weakness. There is no cure for muscular dystrophy, but certain medications, therapies, lifestyle changes and surgeries can help reduce the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.