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WHAT IS MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY?
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Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of genetic disorders that cause the muscles to weaken on break down over time. The primary cause of muscular dystrophy is missing or inaccurate genetic information that prevents the body from producing the proteins needed to sustain muscle.
Because muscular dystrophy is a family of disorders, each case is different in the types of muscles impacted, the extent of muscle weakness, when symptoms begin, and how fast muscles deteriorate. A child diagnosed with muscular dystrophy may gradually lose the ability to walk, sit upright, move limbs or extremities, and breath without assistance. Weak muscles can also lead to other health or organ problems. Some children with muscular dystrophy show symptoms in infancy while others do not appear affected until adulthood.
Currently, there is no cure for muscular dystrophy. However, researchers are actively studying how to treat and prevent. In addition, advances in physical therapy and medical interventions designed to improve joint and muscle function may both help people with MD live as comfortably as possible.