Becker muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease that causes the gradual destruction of several voluntary muscles, i. e. muscles that can be controlled, such as those of the hips, shoulders, legs or arms for example.
It is usually more common in men and early symptoms appear in childhood or adolescence, starting with mild and progressive loss of strength in almost every muscle in the body, but especially in the shoulders and hips.
- Although this disease does not cure.
- It is possible to have medical treatment to relieve symptoms and have a good quality of life and a life expectancy of up to 50 years.
Treatment of Becker muscular dystrophy is done to relieve each person’s symptoms and therefore may vary in each case; however, the most common forms of treatment include:
In addition, surgery may still be necessary, especially if the muscles are shortened or tightened a lot, to relax them and correct shortening. When contractures appear in the shoulder or back muscles, they can cause deformities of the spine that must also be corrected with surgery. .
In the most severe phase of the disease, more serious complications, such as heart problems and breathing difficulties, are common due to the destruction of the heart muscle and respiratory muscles, in these cases a cardiologist and pneumologist may be indicated to help adapt treatment.
The first symptoms of Becker muscular dystrophy usually appear between the age of 5 and 15 and may include signs such as:
In most cases, the child may stop walking until age 16, as the disease progresses faster in the lower extremities. However, when symptoms appear later than normal, the ability to walk can be maintained even between the age of 20 and 40.
In most cases, the pediatrician may only suspect this type of dystrophy by evaluating symptoms and observing muscle tissue loss, for example, however, some diagnostic tests such as muscle biopsy, heart tests, and X-rays can help confirm becker’s muscle. Dystrophy.
Becker muscular dystrophy is caused by a genetic alteration that inhibits the production of the dystrophin protein, a substance very important for keeping muscle cells intact, so when this protein weakens in the body, the muscles cannot function properly, beginning to appear lesions. that destroy muscle fibers.
As a genetic disease, this type of dystrophy can be transmitted from parent to child or result from a mutation during pregnancy.