becker's muscular dystrophy…

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superficial anterior muscles, benign pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy, becker's muscular dystrophy, inherited disorder characterized by slowly progressive muscle weakness, the legs, pelvis, becker's muscular dystrophy is very similar to duchenne's muscular dystrophy, except that it progresses at a much slower rate, disorder is inherited, an x-linked recessive inheritance pattern, the gene is located on the x chromosome, women have two x chromosomes, one x chromosome has the defective gene, second x chromosome, working copy, the gene to compensate, in these cases, women have much milder symptoms, ability to compensate, men have an x, a y, they don't have another x to compensate, the defective gene, develop symptoms, they inherit the defective gene, disorder experience progressive muscle weakness, the legs, pelvis, is associated, a loss of muscle mass, wasting, muscle weakness also occurs, in the arms, neck, areas, severely, in the lower half, calf muscles initially enlarge, an attempt by the body to compensate, loss of muscle strength, the enlarged muscle tissue is eventually replaced by fat, connective tissue, pseudohypertrophy, muscle contractures occur, in the legs, heels, causing inability, use the muscles, shortening of muscle fibers, fibrosis of connective tissue, bones develop abnormally, causing skeletal deformities, the chest, areas, cardiomyopathy, heart, does not occur, commonly, does, duchenne's muscular dystrophy, cognitive problems, accompany the disorder, not inevitable, not worsen, the disorder progresses, becker's muscular dystrophy occurs in approximately 3-6 in 100,000 male births, appear in men at, age 12, begin later, average age of becoming unable to walk is 25-30, women rarely develop symptoms, an inherited disorder, risks include having a family history of becker's muscular dystrophy, muscle weakness, slowly progressive, causing, muscle skills, running, hopping, jumping, progressive difficulty walking, ability to walk, continue into adulthood, up to age 40, frequent falls, problems breathing, cognitive dysfunction, skeletal deformities, chest, scoliosis, muscle deformities, contractures of heels, legs, pseudohypertrophy of calf muscles, fatigue, heart disease, pattern of symptom development resembles that of duchenne's muscular dystrophy, a much slower rate of progression, muscle wasting begins, in the legs, pelvis, progresses, muscles, the shoulders, neck, followed by loss of arm muscles, respiratory muscles, calf muscle enlargement, pseudohypertrophy, quite obvious, cardiomyopathy, the development of congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, irregular heartbeats, rare, ability to walk, continue to age 40, older, a cpk elevated, an emg, electromyography, weakness, destruction of muscle tissue rather than by damage to nerves, a muscle biopsy, genetic test, blood test, confirms the diagnosis, no known cure, becker's muscular dystrophy, treatment is aimed at control of symptoms to maximize the quality of life, activity is encouraged, inactivity, bed rest, worsen the muscle disease, physical therapy helpful to maintain muscle strength, orthopedic appliances braces, wheelchairs, improve mobility, self-care, genetic counseling advisable, sons of a man, becker's muscular dystrophy, not develop the disorder, daughters carriers, daughters' sons, develop the disorder, stress of illness, helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences, muscular dystrophy, support group, becker's muscular dystrophy results in slowly progressive disability, death, occurs, in the fifth decade but some patients live to an advanced age, deformities, permanent, progressive disability, decreased mobility, decreased ability to care, self, mental impairment, see mental retardation, cardiomyopathy, pneumonia, respiratory infections, respiratory failure, symptoms that suggest becker's muscular dystrophy appear, becker's muscular dystrophy develops new symptoms, particularly fever, cough, breathing difficulties, planning a family, becker's muscular dystrophy has been diagnosed in you, family members, genetic counseling advised, family history of becker's muscular dystrophy.