Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy research papers examine the medical condition and explicate it fully. You can order a custom research paper on any aspect of muscular dystrophy you need, including the symptoms, treatment or prognosis.
Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that attack a person's musculoskeletal system and impede their ability to move. Muscular dystrophy results in progressive weakness in the muscles, defects in muscle protein and the death of muscle tissues. There are several major forms of muscular dystrophy, including:
- Duchenne
- Becker
- Limb-girdle
- Congenital
- Emery-Dreifuss
- Distal
- Myotonic
- Oculopharyngeal
- Facioscapulohumeral
The Cause of Muscular Dystrophy
The cause of muscular dystrophy is generally an inherited condition. The main cause of the Duchenne and Becker types of muscular dystrophy are the body's inability to create the dystrophin protein. Signs and symptoms of muscular dystrophy include:
- progressive muscular wasting
- poor balance
- eyelid drooping
- scoliosis
- a waddling gait
- muscle spasms
- joint contractures
- respiratory difficulties
Diagnosis is generally done through a muscle biopsy, as well as electromyography, electrocardiography and DNA analysis. There is no cure for muscular dystrophy. Ongoing therapy, including physical, occupation, speech, and the use of orthopedic instruments, such as wheelchairs and standing frames, are helpful in helping individuals with mobility. Inactivity and, conversely, bodybuilding efforts are both not recommended, as both can worsen the disease. Ultimately, a diagnosis shortens the lifespan.