At What Age Is Muscular Dystrophy Diagnosed?

Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a cluster of disorders that are genetically inherited and are characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the muscles that are responsible for movement in the body.¹

Different types of muscular dystrophy are diagnosed at different ages. Age is one factor used in classification of muscular dystrophy into 9 different types. Other factors are the extent of the spread of disease and the pattern of inheritance.

• It is the commonest form of muscular dystrophy in adults
• It is seen in both males and females
• It can appear at any time from childhood to later ages
• This disease is characterized by prolonged stiffness of muscles after movement, specially aggravated in cold seasons
• The life expectancy in this disease is usually less

• This is the commonest form of Muscular dystrophy in children ¹
• This is seen to be affecting only males
• It is usually seen to be starting between ages 2 to 6
• Most cases face deformities of arms, legs and spine and may need a wheelchair very early in their lives
• The life expectancy in this disease is usually up to late teens or early twenties

• Becker muscular dystrophy has some similarities with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but is comparatively milder than that.
• The symptoms start later in life and progress slowly.
• This type also is seen to be affecting only males.
• Life expectancy is usually beyond 30s in this type of muscular dystrophy.

• This type of muscular dystrophy affects both males and females.
• It is seen to be starting in late teens or early adulthood.
• In this type, the muscular weakness starts in the hip muscles and progresses to the shoulders, arms and then legs.²
• Over time, walking becomes increasingly difficult.
• Those suffering from this type have a life expectancy of about middle age to late adulthood.

• This type involves the weakness of facial, shoulder blade and upper arm muscles
• This affects both males and females
• It is greatly varying in severity
• It may cause very mild muscle weakness or a disabling one
• The muscle weakness may cause problems with chewing, swallowing speaking etc.
• Most people affected with this type can walk throughout their lives and their life expectancy is near to normal

• This type is present at the time of birth ³
• This type progresses very slowly
• This can affect both males and females
• This type may cause muscle weakness at the time of birth or within a few months of birth

• This type affects the eye and the throat
• This type is usually seen beyond 40s to 60s
• This type progresses very slowly and causes problems with eye and face
• It may lead to swallowing difficulty
• In later stages, it may result in weakness in pelvic and pectoral muscles

• This is a rare group of diseases
• It affects both men and women in adulthood
• It causes wasting of the distal muscles- the muscles that are far from the center, like those of forearms, feet etc.
• It is comparatively a less severe type and is seen to be progressing more slowly
• It also affects fewer muscles than other forms

• This type is seen to be appearing in childhood or early teens and affecting mainly males. Females are affected very rarely
• This is also a rare form of muscular dystrophy
• It causes muscle wasting in shoulders, upper arms and legs
• Muscle shortening can be seen in early stage of the disease
• Chest and pelvic muscles may get weakened
• This type is slowly progressing one and affects fewer muscles as compared to other types of muscular dystrophy
• Muscular dystrophy is a genetically inherited group of almost over 30 disorders. They are characterized by progressive and degenerative muscle weakness and wasting.
• Muscular dystrophy is diagnosed at any age from infancy to adulthood, and is classified accordingly into various types.

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Also Read:

• What Are The First Signs Of Muscular Dystrophy?
• What Not To Eat When You Have Muscular Dystrophy?
• Can Muscular Dystrophy Be Reversed?
• Can Muscular Dystrophy Go Away On Its Own?
• Can You Be Cured Of Muscular Dystrophy?
• What Is The Best Medicine For Muscular Dystrophy?
• What To Eat When You Have Muscular Dystrophy?