A Genetic Disease: Muscular Dystrophy
Genetic disease Page 1
A Genetic Disease: Muscular Dystrophy
Genetic Disease Page 2
Abstract
Muscular Dystrophy is an inherited disease that causes progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle. The muscle fibers are unusually susceptible to damage. The muscles grow weaker and weaker. People that have Muscular Dystrophy will eventually need a wheelchair. There are many different kinds of Muscular Dystrophy. Symptoms of the most common mainly occur in childhood, primarily in boys. Other types usually begin later in life.
Genetic Disease Page 3
Description of disease Muscular Dystrophy is described as a debilitating disease. This disease is usually inherited from mother or father depending on genetic makeup. Muscular Dystrophy is a group of muscles that progressively become weaker and weaker over time. It also decreases the muscle mass over time. Muscular Dystrophy is the absence of a protein called dystrophin and this protein is involved in maintaining the muscle as a whole. The skeletal muscles degenerate and therefore there is loss of movement.
Major Symptoms Muscle weakness is the main symptom. This is usually presented first in the legs, then arms. Frequent falling due to lack of motor skills. Patients have a hard time getting from a lying to sitting position, this is called a Gower’s sign. This is usually from curvature of
A Genetic Disease: Muscular Dystrophy
Genetic Disease Page 2
Abstract
Muscular Dystrophy is an inherited disease that causes progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle. The muscle fibers are unusually susceptible to damage. The muscles grow weaker and weaker. People that have Muscular Dystrophy will eventually need a wheelchair. There are many different kinds of Muscular Dystrophy. Symptoms of the most common mainly occur in childhood, primarily in boys. Other types usually begin later in life.
Genetic Disease Page 3
Description of disease Muscular Dystrophy is described as a debilitating disease. This disease is usually inherited from mother or father depending on genetic makeup. Muscular Dystrophy is a group of muscles that progressively become weaker and weaker over time. It also decreases the muscle mass over time. Muscular Dystrophy is the absence of a protein called dystrophin and this protein is involved in maintaining the muscle as a whole. The skeletal muscles degenerate and therefore there is loss of movement.
Major Symptoms Muscle weakness is the main symptom. This is usually presented first in the legs, then arms. Frequent falling due to lack of motor skills. Patients have a hard time getting from a lying to sitting position, this is called a Gower’s sign. This is usually from curvature of