Nerve & Muscle Diseases - Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular Dystrophy refers to a group of inherited diseases in which cause progressive weakness due to abnormal muscle function. Specific examples include Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy, and Myotonic Dystrophy. Even though these are genetic diseases, there may not be a known family history.
The severity of the weakness, the age at which symptoms begin, the specific muscles affected and the rate at which weakness progresses depend on the specific type of muscular dystrophy. In some of these conditions, other parts of the body are also affected, resulting in abnormal heart function, hearing loss, intellectual impairment or diabetes.
Albany Med Advantage
A correct diagnosis of muscular dystrophy requires a neurologist with expertise in these disorders, who will perform a thorough examination and one or more laboratory tests. At the Neurosciences Institute, physicians may rely on the following procedures in diagnosing muscular dystrophy:
- Blood tests
- Electromyography
- Muscle Biopsy
There is no cure for these diseases, but various treatments may be available. Physical therapy and medications are the most common methods of treatment. However, helping patients manage symptoms requires the team approach of the Neurosciences Institute in which neurologists, physiatrists, physical therapists and others may be involved.
