Dylan+R.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, also known as Pseudohypertrophic Muscular Dystrophy and Muscular Dystrophy - Duchenne type, is a disorder that hinders muscle movement that starts in the legs and pelvis worsening in later years (Kirmse 1). This disease is the cause of a recessive X-linked chromosome (Kirmse 1). Females are the carriers of this since they have two X chromosomes and does not affect them as much because they have an extra X chromosome. Males on the other hand are vulnerable to this disease because they have only one X chromosome and one Y chromosome, which means they do not have any other chromosomes to make up for the defected one.
 * Introduction **




 * Clinical Description **

Symptoms include: DMD causes a hard life for whom ever has it. Sometimes victims can become mentally imparied. Also, it does typically end up being fatal and ending your life earlier than what it could be if you were healthy. The typical life expectancy is usually no longer than 25 years of age due to long failure. It is such a sad end to a young life of struggle. This disease has become more and more common in the past couple years. To diagnose someone with these symptoms with this disorder they do a neurological test to determine the weakness and if there is they then do an electromyography (EMG). If this comes up conclusive then the do a biopsy of muscle tissues. This can also be found in prenatal testing by testing the ambiotic fluid and makes karyotypes to test for discrepencies. Women can be the carrier for this disorder and it can be detected with genetic test either when the are born or while they are still in the womb.
 * Muscle weakness that worsens progressively, causes frequent falls, and loss of motor control
 * Trouble walking (loss of walking may occur around age 12)
 * Fatigue
 * Intelectual retardation (possible)
 * Skeletal deformities (chest or back)
 * Muscle deformities (contractures of heels)


 * Treatment **

As far as we know there is no known cure for this disorder. Instead the treatment focuses on increasing a victims' quality of life by controlling their symptoms. You are advised to be active. This is due to it being more dangerous to be less actice. Being active can increase muscle strength function (Kirmse 2). Gene therapy may be possible in the future but right now is not really a possible thing.


 * Support Groups**
 * Muscular Dystrophy Association
 * Parent Project for Muscular Dystrophy Research, Inc.
 * ====SMDI (Society for Muscular Dystrophy International)====

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 * References **

code __Duchenne Explained__. Weblog. 1 Apr. 2009 . code code Kirmse, Brian. "Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Health Article." __Health Line__. 11 Aug. 2006. 27 Mar. 2009 . code code "Muscular Dystrophy - [Support Groups]." __Health Wise__. 2009. American Self-Help Group Clearinghouse. 7 Apr. 2009 . code code __YouTube__. Parent Project MD. 31 Mar. 2009 . code