Duchenne+Muscular+Dystrophy

Nathalie Toro Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

The Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic, degenerative disease. It primarily affects voluntary muscles. It is caused by the absence of dystrophin. Dystrophin is a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is x-linked and it is a recessive trait. The disease is inherited only by males from their mothers. Females can be carriers of the disease, but they wont show any sign or symptom. Symptoms caused by the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy have been identified. A generalized weakness and wasting of the muscles of the hips, pelvic area, thighs and shoulders. The diseases symptoms will progress over time. It eventually affects all voluntary muscles, including the heart and the muscles used for breathing. Although Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy can show signs as young as one year, the symptoms in male children will usually begin to exhibit during the two and a half year mark. Usually the disease will be diagnosed to a child at an age of five years. Symptoms noticed by parents, while their offspring is still young , are delayed walking , frequent falling, difficulty climbing stairs, hard time getting up and problems with walking on tiptoes. enlargement of muscles, usually calves and shoulders, is also a symptom. As the disease progresses with time, it becomes more and more difficult for the victim to do muscle movement that would normally be so simple without it. The act of getting up from the floor to going up stairs, can be extremely intense, tiring and time consuming.

The prognoses treatment for this disease want completely halt the deterioration of the muscle, but they have shown some positive results. The most vital effect was the slowing down of the deterioration of the muscle. Some victims could feel less weakness in their muscles and could do activities, they could hardly do before, faster. Others lived part the predicted life span. Around 20,000 children world wide are born with Duchenne Musclar Dystrophy, and it affects approximately 1 in every 3,500 males each year. Approximately 35% of all the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy cases are the result of a new random spontaneous genetic pregnancy, regardless of any family history. Up until 1983 when the gene that causes the Muscular Dystrophy was successfully identified and isolated by medical researchers, the victims had a harder, shorter life then todays victims varies. The life span of many victims of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy has been increasing in the part 10 to 15 years. This is a result of the advancing technology. The rate of deterioration can change depending on the victim. Often times, any time of immobilization can cause an acceleration of deterioration. Unless treated most males may begin to stop walking around the age of 7 to 13 years. On average, victims with duchenne muscular dystrophy do not live past the age of 30. Muscle orthopedic, child health, and even nerve specialist have been known for the treatment of the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Treatments vary depending on age, time money , and location. the treatments could be as massages to or large as surgeries. Other treatments used are a large range of medications. A cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has yet to be discovered.

References
 * 1) [|__http://www.medlink__][|.com/medlink content.arp]
 * 2) [|http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/d/duchenne/treatments.htm]
 * 3) [|knowledge on what i had learned from my cousin who has duchenne muscular dystrophy and has survived 2 years past his estimated life span, he is now 15.]