Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy
10/28/14
Myotonic muscular dystrophy is part of a group of muscular disorders that are called muscular dystrophies. It is the most common form of muscular dystrophy that begins in adulthood. “Myotonic dystrophy is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness” (Myotonic, 2010). typically people who have this disorder have whats called myotonia, a prolonged muscle contraction, and they are not able to relax some muscles. For example, someone with myotonic dystrophy may have difficulty releasing their grip on a doorknob or handle. Sometimes, they have slurred speech or locking of their jaws for a certain time. Some other signs and symptoms of myotonic dystrophy include …show more content…
It usually develops around a person 's twenties or thirties. “There are also two types of myotonic dystrophy, type 1 and type 2. The muscle weaknesses that are associated with type 1 affects the lower legs, hands, neck, and face. Muscle weakness in type 2 involves muscles of the neck, shoulders, elbows, and hips. These two types are caused by mutations in the different genes” (Hopkins, 1997). It affects about 1 in 8000 people worldwide. It is passed to you through your parents. MDA leads the search for treatment and therapies for myotonic muscular dystrophy. The association provides support and expert clinical care for those with MMD. “MDA has found that MMD has three types, adult onset MMD1 and MMD2, juvenile onset MMD1, and congenital onset MMD1” (Balon, 2013). I was able to go to MDA camp this year. I was truly blessed by it and amazed at how remarkable it is. These kids love coming to the camp to connect with each other. MDA does a wondrous thing for these kids. Most of these kids cannot walk and are in a power chair, or they can walk with their braces on. You have to lift them using proper body mechanics and always support their neck from injury. You will have to provide self care such as cleaning, clothing, bathing, toileting, brushing