Muscular dystrophy is usually caused by a genetic mutation that causes progressive damage and loss of muscle cells in the body. It is associated with more than 150 types of degenerative muscle diseases that act in different ways, but almost all start with mild symptoms, which progress slowly over time, if not detected in time.
O awesome.club gathered the 8 most common signs of muscle degeneration that we cannot ignore. Keep an eye out for them.
8. Pain and stiffness in the muscles
The loss of muscle cells usually causes a sfeeling of weakness🇧🇷 So, if you find it difficult to get up from a chair, comb your hair, or lift something, you may be suffering from muscular dystrophy.
Contractures, reduced flexibility and frequent muscle pain are also common, which indicate that there is something wrong with the muscles. In addition, symptoms such as prolonged spasms, stiffness in the arms and legs may be indicative of myotonia, a condition that requires immediate medical treatment.
7. Overly large calf muscles
Excessively large sizes of the calf muscles can be a sign of what is called Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This disease usually appears predominantly in young children, and tends to get worse quickly.
If you suffer from this disorder, you will notice, at first, the calf muscles being affected, as they are the most required in the body’s search for balance. In this case, the original muscles are eventually replaced by fat and scar tissue.
6. Deviation in the spine
If your muscles are not strong enough to keep the spine straight, it is possible that you are presenting an incorrect posture, which over time can lead to scoliosis. Due to this condition, the spine is deviated or curved laterally, causing movement in Organs internal organs.
Scoliosis is usually diagnosed in teenagers, affecting more females. The problem can trigger side effects, including severe headache and leg pain.
5. Respiratory system problems
In severe cases of scoliosis, progressive muscle weakness can affect the muscles associated with the breathing process🇧🇷 Although the person does not experience breathing difficulties, they experience some problems that indicate poor respiratory function, such as headaches, difficulty concentrating and nightmares.
Weakness of the pectoral muscles makes it difficult to cough, thus increasing the risk of a respiratory infection. So, if a simple cold is not treated properly, it can develop into pneumonia.
4. Difficulty speaking, chewing and swallowing
the first signs from Kennedy’s disease, or bulbospinal muscular atrophy, can be eating problems, such as loss of ability to chew or swallow food, coughing, feeling like you’re drowning, or losing your voice after eating. This disease can manifest at any age, but it usually develops in adulthood.
In addition to difficulties in eating, other symptoms may appear, such as changes in voice, nasal speech or even an atrophy of the facial muscles, jaw and tongue. All these symptoms require immediate medical treatment.
3. Heart problems
In several types of muscular dystrophy, progressive changes in heart function🇧🇷 These changes are called cardiomyopathy, or heart muscle disease, which at first may not even have symptoms. On the other hand, some patients complain of difficulty breathing, tiredness and swelling in the legs.
However, due to this disorder, the heart muscle may not work properly🇧🇷 And that’s why, over time, the person can show signs like irregular heartbeat, fainting and dizziness.
2. Cataract
In addition to muscle wasting, people with myotonic dystrophy often suffer from various eye problems. These disorders include weakness in the eye muscles, watery eyes, low eye pressure, and cataracts.
This is one of the most common symptoms of muscular dystrophy. The problem presents itself as an opacity located near the middle of the eye, which usually causes blurry vision, colors appearing less bright, increased sensitivity to light, and problems with night vision.
1. In men, baldness and infertility
Some men with myotonic dystrophy also tend to experience some hormonal changes. This hormonal imbalance often causes early baldness (from 20 to 30 years old) on the front of the male scalp.
This endocrine disorder can also cause impotence and testicular atrophy. As a general rule, this condition leads to infertility or difficulty having children.
Bonus: How to treat muscular dystrophy?
While there is no cure for muscle degeneration, there are a few simple things you can do to help keep your muscles strong and healthy:
Practice exercises every day🇧🇷 As muscles undergo a gradual weakening process, one of the best ways to slow this down is to exercise daily. Low-intensity physical activity and stretching help stimulate the body and develop muscles naturally.
Eat more foods rich in vitamins E and D🇧🇷 If you suffer from muscle degeneration, eat more salmon, sardines, shrimp, cheese, eggs, almonds, avocado, broccoli and olive oil.
Use turmeric powder for cooking🇧🇷 This ancient Indian spice has a powerful compound called curcumin, which is very useful when it comes to preventing and treating muscle wasting.
Drink green tea instead of other beverages🇧🇷 According to some studies, drinking approximately 7 cups of green tea a day can help stop the deterioration of muscle tissue as it fights oxidative stress in active muscles.
Put baking soda in your bathtub. Due to its alkaline nature, this substance can protect your muscles and eliminate pain and inflammation.
If you have been noticing any of these symptoms, the first thing to do is make an appointment with a specialist.
Do you know other ways to fight muscular dystrophy? Share your knowledge by leaving a comment! The important thing is to always be healthy!
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