Muscular Dystrophy (MD) can cause muscle weakness, making it hard to move and do things. Breathing and heart problems can also occur. Some types might affect thinking. Each year, several hundred people might die from MD complications. Recognizing the symptoms of each types of MD, can diagnose the disease sooner, which means you can start treatment sooner.
Symptoms of Muscular Dystrophy
In every type of Muscular Dystrophy (MD), people often experience muscle weakness. This can make it tough to do things like walking or lifting objects. Sometimes, muscles can cramp or feel stiff. While muscle weakness is common, remember that other symptoms can be different for each type of MD.
Symptoms of Duchenne
The two most common symptoms of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), excluding muscle weakness, are frequent falls and trouble climbing stairs. Children with DMD often experience frequent falls and difficulty climbing stairs due to weakened leg muscles, making it hard for them to keep their balance. Other symptoms include:
- Difficulty getting up from a seated or lying position
- Enlarged calf muscles (due to fat and tissue buildup)
- Limited range of motion in joints
- Delayed motor skills development
- Learning difficulties (in some cases)
- Breathing difficulties (in later stages)
- Heart problems (in later stages)
Symptoms of Becker
The two most common symptoms of Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD), excluding muscle weakness, are trouble climbing stairs and difficulty getting up. Similar to DMD, BMD can make climbing stairs challenging due to weakened leg muscles. People with BMD often experience difficulty with getting up from sitting positions or lying down positions, this is also due to weakened muscles. Other symptoms include:
- Enlarged calf muscles (due to fat and tissue buildup)
- Limited range of motion in joints
- Muscle cramps and stiffness
- Heart problems (usually milder and slower to develop than in DMD)
- Breathing difficulties (usually milder and slower to develop than in DMD)
- Learning difficulties (in some cases)
Overview of Symptoms of Less Common Muscular Dystrophy Types
| Muscular Dystrophy Type | Common Symptoms | Affected Body Parts |
|---|---|---|
| Myotonic MD | Muscle stiffness, weakness, myotonia (prolonged muscle contraction) | Face, hands, legs |
| Facioscapulohumeral MD | Facial weakness, difficulty raising arms, shoulder weakness | Face, shoulders, upper arms |
| Limb-girdle MD | Muscle weakness in shoulder and hip muscles, difficulty walking | Shoulders, hips |
| Emery-Dreifuss MD | Muscle weakness in shoulder, upper arm, calf muscles | Shoulders, upper arms, legs |
| Congenital MD | Muscle weakness at birth, delayed motor milestones | Various muscle groups |
| Oculopharyngeal MD | Eye muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing | Eye muscles, throat muscles |
Learn on the next page how Muscular Dystrophy is diagnosed and treated.
