Essay - Muscular Dystrophy Guillaume Benjamin Amand Duchenne (1806-1875), a French Neuroscientist...

Muscular Dystrophy

Guillaume Benjamin Amand Duchenne (1806-1875), a French neuroscientist, is credited with the offici*****l description of Muscular Dystrophy in the late 1860s. Duchenne's *****terest in electrophysiology and the development of techniques ***** neuromuscular stimulation led him to research and eventually learn to diagnose cases of what would eventually become the disease referred to as Duchenne ***** Dystrophy (Enerson).

Muscular ***** is not just one d*****ease; it is a group of about thirty different d*****eases. So far, all forms of Muscular Dystrophy are genetic and "characterized by progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles that control movement" (NINDS). The most common form of the disease is cal***** Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and because it is an X-linked genetic disorder, symp*****ms rarely occur in girls. It is because of this X-linked characteristic that allows women to be carriers of the disease but rarely affected themselves, however, since males receive one X chromosome from their mother (***** the Y ***** their father), there is a 50% chance ***** a male baby born to a c*****rrier ***** will develop ***** Dystrophy. A fe***** child will have the same chances of ********** a carrier herself. Duchenne Muscular ***** is ***** form of the ***** that has the earliest onset, which is in early childhood, usually before the age ***** 5 (NNDS).

***** of Muscular Dystrophy can begin at the prenatal stage by testing a pregnant woman that is e*****her known to be a carrier of the d*****ease, or has a f*****mily history of the disease. Usually a blood test to determine the levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), ***** is an enzyme, is initially performed. If ***** levels ***** CPK are substantially elevated, a neurologic exam is ***** to determine if there are any symp*****ms of ***** Dystrophy such as a l*****ck of balance or coordination. If there ***** symptoms present an electromyograph or EMG ***** performed, which examines the muscle and nerve tissues for any damage or irregularities. Finally, a ***** biopsy ***** confirm a diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy (Emery 18).

Sadly, there is no cure ***** ***** Dystrophy. Because of the current absence of a cure, tre*****tment ***** mostly aimed at controlling ***** symptoms and maintaining the quality of life of the individual suffering from the disease. Physi***** activity is key in slowing the ***** nature ***** the ***** since inactivity will encourage quicker deterioration of the muscle tissue. Beyond the individual maintaining an effort of physical activity, various treatments, ***** as ***** *****rapy, speech therapy, respiratory therapy, and the use of wheelchairs, canes, walkers, or braces may ***** needed. Orthopedic surgery to correct damage done ***** the bones due to the ***** of the muscle tissue can be performed, though it is usually a temporary improvement. Also, there are drug therapies that include the ***** of corticosteroids ***** help control the deterioration of the muscles as well. Of course, *****re are also *****s to treat the symptoms of later stages ***** ***** d*****ease such as seizures ***** muscle spasms as well *****