There are various diseases and illnesses that can be found in the medical books. But ordinary people out there have wrong concepts and impressions in most things listed. The same is true with Muscular Dystrophy where at times, people think that it is dangerous and harmful. Here are 10 of the most important facts that most of the people are not aware of, and even those of you who are not familiar with this disease.
1. Breathing Problems
Since muscles are the number one target of this disease, the respiratory muscles are part of it that would be weakened since the diaphragm and the breathing muscles are affected. You could see the connection from the brain that controls the whole body system that would be harder for someone to sleep, since receiving enough oxygen becomes harder where a portable breathing booster is needed to support this problem.
2. Eyelids Drooping
This is called ptosis wherein the temples of the eyes become hallow and the face becomes thinner. If drooping becomes severe, special eyeglasses that has eyelid clutches can hold the eyes open that can be created by an expert and skilled optician. Although surgery can correct it, but it does not guarantee that it will not come back since the problem is in the muscle.
3. Delays in Development
This is related to mental impairment since there is a slow development of the brain, which affects the communication and comprehension. It impacts the coordination and basic muscle skills.
4. Baldness Close to the Forehead
This is an early balding that is normally experienced by older men, which becomes common to those who have this kind of disease.
5. Mental Impairment
This is one of the worst things that an individual could experience if it reached that one stage, which is also known as mental retardation. This is also known as cognitive disabilities because of the slower development of the brain, which is caused by genetic abnormalities.
6. Vision Problems Occur
Cataract is the initial effect to the eyes of someone who has MD. This happens because the muscle that moves the eyes stops. That makes it harder for eyes to open and close. Artificial lens can replace the affected eye or surgery can be done to correct the vision.
7. Joint Contractures Could Develop
Since the muscles are weakening progressively, it also causes stiffening that affects the joints near the muscles. Again, since there are minimal movements, joint contractures would happen. It is like any item or machine, which if not being used, would be rusted and later on, cannot be used at all.
8. It could cause Obesity
It is expected that since an individual cannot move and would just sit all the while and the only that they can do is to read and do minimal movements. Nonetheless, the whole process performed by the body, when it moves, especially in releasing enzymes, which is significant to the metabolic process, will be affected. Imagine the person who is sitting the whole day on his/her chair. You could see how the person’s tummy grows since there is no movement at all and so with these people that might not move their whole life.
9. Progressive weakening of the muscles
Not all the time, it can be seen to a newborn baby. But there is a gradual effect that can be felt in the muscle tissues of the body of the person. Perhaps, if it is a kid, it could start between ages 2 to 10, or during teenage years. It actually varies where most of the time, the peak of it might hit an individual when he or she reaches the adult stage. It actually varies depending on the development of it in the person’s body.
10. Inability to walk and sit
If this would be detected early on, you will get to observe the child hardly walk by himself or herself, where even sitting alone is a burden. This is the reason that most of the people who were diagnosed of this disease are using wheelchairs and could not even play with other kids.
|
Leave a comment
FEED