Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic disorders that lead to progressive muscle weakening and loss of muscle mass. There are many types of muscular dystrophy, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, Limb-gridle muscular dystrophy, etc. All types of muscular dystrophy can be caused due to one specific reason, which is a genetic mutation.
People with muscular dystrophy needs the utmost care to live their daily life. This condition cannot be fully recovered, but with effective treatments, one can reduce the symptoms and improve the quality of life. We will explore muscular dystrophy in detail and try to find out the causes that are responsible for this condition, so let us continue.
Exploring Factors That Cause Muscular Dystrophy
There is one main factor that causes muscular dystrophy, which is a genetic mutation. This genetic mutation can disrupt the production of proteins that are required for healthy muscle function. This abnormal gene can be inherited from one or both parents. We will explore this topic to have a better understanding.
🔶 Recessive Inheritance Of Mutated Genes
Recessive inheritance means the affected persons received the abnormal gene from both of their parents. People who are suffering from muscular dystrophy due to recessive inheritance are more vulnerable. They are not only carriers of the abnormal gene, but they also suffer a lot in their life. They face difficulty in performing normal activities like walking.
They can also transfer the abnormal gene to their child, and this way, muscular dystrophy can affect the entire upcoming generation. Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Becker muscular dystrophy are the types that can caused by the recessive inheritance of abnormal genes from both parents.
🔶 Dominant Inheritance Of Mutated Genes
Dominant inheritance of mutated genes can cause muscular dystrophy. This condition is developed when a child gets a mutated gene from one of his/her parents. This is a serious condition that can make the lives of people suffering from muscular dystrophy a disaster. The abnormal and mutated gene can be present in children from their birth, which starts to show its symptoms over time. Muscular dystrophy can develop from childhood to adulthood and can get worse with age.
🔶 X-Linked Inheritance Of Mutated Genes
It is a well-known fact that males have one X and one Y chromosome, and female bodies have two X chromosomes. The muscular dystrophy is identified as the cause of X-linked inheritance of mutated genes. In this case, a male body is more vulnerable and can face all the symptoms of muscular dystrophy.
You should know that females can also carry the mutated genes, but usually, they do not show the symptoms. Females may not experience all the symptoms and difficulty of muscular dystrophy, but they can transfer the mutated genes to their children.
🔶 Unpredictable Mutation In Genes
It is true that most cases of muscular dystrophy are caused by the transfer of mutated genes from the family. In some cases, genetic mutation can occur spontaneously without any family history of this condition. This spontaneous mutation can occur during the formation of eggs or sperm in individuals. The cases of muscular dystrophy due to unpredictable mutation of genes are fewer but can have a very complex nature of the condition.
What Are The Symptoms Of Muscular Dystrophy?
Muscular dystrophy disrupts the ability of muscles to function properly, which can have several disadvantages for people with this condition. They can experience muscle weakening, loss of balance and flexibility, and overall health.
People can fall frequently, face difficulty in bending knees, and face difficulty in walking, running, and jumping. These symptoms can vary in individuals and depend on the type of muscular dystrophy. Different types of muscular dystrophy can have different symptoms, and the severity of the condition can also vary.
Muscular dystrophy is caused by genetic mutation and can be transferred to children from their parents. Sometimes, the mutated gene is transferred to the child from both parents and sometimes it is transferred from one parent.Â
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Males are more vulnerable to this condition and can face all the symptoms, while females can carry the mutated gene without showing symptoms when they receive the muted gene from the X-linked chromosome. If you know a person with muscular dystrophy, then take proper care of him/her because emotional support is needed for people with muscular dystrophy.
