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What Causes Muscular Dystrophy (MD)?

What Is a Muscular Dystrophy?

A muscular dystrophy is a group of illnesses that lead to progressive weakness and loss of muscle strength. It occurs when abnormal genes (mutation) disrupt the development of protein needed to build a healthy muscle.

There are several types of muscular dystrophy. The symptoms are commonly seen in children, especially boys. In some cases, the symptoms don’t show until adulthood. There is no permanent cure for muscular dystrophy, but its symptoms can be managed and slowed by drugs, orthopedic devices, surgery, speech therapy, and physical therapy.

Some genes are used in forming proteins that strengthen muscle fibers. The major cause of muscular dystrophy is an alteration of these genes. Each form of muscular dystrophy is caused by a genetic mutation associated with that type of disease. In some cases, the condition worsens over time and people lose their ability to walk.

In most cases, muscular dystrophy runs in families. Inheriting an altered gene can cause it. In this article, I will be talking about some causes of muscular dystrophy.