You’ve likely heard of muscular dystrophy, but you may not know much about it. Because it’s an umbrella term that actually describes dozens of different specific conditions, there are a lot of misunderstandings about the disease.
Muscular dystrophy is a genetic condition that targets muscles, causing them to weaken and degenerate over the years. There are more than 30 subtypes of muscular dystrophy that target different muscle groups, causing a variety of symptoms and varying in severity.
“Muscular dystrophies are genetic or hereditary types of progressive muscle conditions that involve some kind of mutation to the structure of the muscle cells,” explained Catherine Stachnik, DO, a neurologist with Endeavor Health.
While the condition is typically hereditary, there can be spontaneous mutations. However, “by and large, it's a genetic condition,” said Dr. Stachnik.
A person’s symptoms vary depending on which muscles are involved. “It usually involves the arms and legs, but some subtypes, like facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, affect facial muscles like the eyes and the mouth,” said Dr. Stachnik. Other types, such as myotonic or Duchenne muscular dystrophy, affect the heart and lungs.
Typically, the symptoms of muscular dystrophy appear during the childhood or teenage years, but sometimes people don’t start experiencing symptoms until their 40s.
Dr. Stachnik busts some common myths about the condition:
- MYTH #1: It causes death.
This is the most common myth about muscular dystrophy. However, while muscular dystrophy is not curable, most subtypes of the disease are not fatal — except for the subtypes that affect the heart or the lungs, said Dr. Stachnik. - MYTH #2: It can spread to the internal organs.
“That's not the case,” explained Dr. Stachnik. “The condition only affects muscles whose cells are targeted by the mutation.” - MYTH #3: It affects the brain.
Another common misconception is that muscular dystrophy affects thinking. However, the condition does not affect the brain, said Dr. Stachnik. - MYTH #4: All types of muscular dystrophy are the same.
However, symptoms can look different from person to person, even within families, said Dr. Stachnik.
For most patients, muscular dystrophy causes physical disability such as difficulty walking or using their arms. Thankfully, many supportive treatments and assistive mobility devices can help people manage their daily symptoms.
“Even though it’s a progressive condition, thanks to support and assistive devices, people can still lead somewhat independent and very meaningful lives,” said Dr. Stachnik.
