• Viraj Estate, Yashwant Colony Near DSP Chowk, Ahmednagar (MH) 414003
Gallery

Blog

  HomeWelcome to the Official Website of Saideep Hospital  |  Blog Classic
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Author Categories Health care Leave a comment

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a convoluted condition characterized by communicational and behavioral issues. It can be a minor issue or a disease that needs to be addressed and care for a long time in a particular facility.

The problem generally is seen in young children and they have issues while speaking or understanding what others are saying. Because of this, it gets hard for them to express themselves through any way of communication. The symptoms generally develop before a child gets to the age of three and sometimes, they are shown with the birth of a child. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder

People or children who have autism might have development issues and their mental IQ level would probably below. They might have a hard time learning and communicating. But this kind of people, especially children, are rather good at creative activities like art, maths, memorizing or music. They do tend to do good in analyzing and problem-solving activities.

Signs and Symptoms of Autism

The common symptoms of Autism include:

  1. Autistic people don’t make eye contact easily.
  2. They don’t show much interest in specific topics that people would do or enjoy. normally.
  3. Repeating the same action again and again, like going back and forth or repeating a phrase.
  4. They are very sensitive to smell, light, or noise that is normal in day-to-day life.
  5. Not looking at other people or anything that is being pointed to. 
  6. Have trouble making peace with the changes in the daily routine.
  7. Difficulty in communicating through talking, gestures or facial expressions.
  8. Do not want to be cuddled or held.
  9. Talks in a definitive tone of singing, robotic or flat voice. 
  10. Drooling is another common symptom. 

Types of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Until recently, these disorders were termed separately but now they all fall under the category of ASD. Let’s have a look at these disorders:

  • Asperger’s Syndrome: This comes as least complicated and comparatively mild on the Autism scale. The children or adults with this syndrome have high intelligence and can excel in particular subjects of their like. The problem is they have a hard time around other people and are not comfortable socially. 
  • Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS): This disorder considers those children whose conditions are more severe than Asperger’s Syndrome but less severe than Autistic Disorder.
  • Autistic Disorder: This diagnosis is further on the severe side of the Autism scale. The symptoms are the same but they are at a more intense level. 
  • Childhood Disintegrative disorder: This is the most severe type of ASD where the children first develop naturally. After some time between the ages of 2-4 years, they quickly lose interest in their surroundings and start having a communication, socialising, and mental skills problem. Some children when attaining adolescence also have seizure issues. 

Causes of Autism

There is no single or definitive cause for Autism.  It could happen from the parts of the brain that are responsible for interpreting sensory inputs and language processing. It is more common in boys than in girls. Autism does not have any connection with race, religion, culture or social background. It can happen to anyone.

Some common suspected causes of Autism are:

  • Genetic mutation
  • An immediate family member with Autism
  • Being born from older parents
  • Pregnant women taking drugs, alcohol or anti-seizure tablets
  • Exposure to chemical gasses and polluted environment for both pregnant women or newborn baby
  • A history of viral infections

Autism is also linked to untreated phenylketonuria (PKU) and Rubella (German measles). There is no proof that Autism is caused due to vaccination.

Autism Screening and Diagnosis

It is hard to diagnose Autism definitively. If you take your child for screening, your doctor will focus on development and behavior. Diagnosis usually takes place in two steps for children:

  • In a developmental check-up, your doctor will look in your child for any signs whether he/she is on the right track like communicating, behavior, moving and speaking and the development is normally going. 
  • Children should be screened if they show any developmental delays at nine months, 18 months, 24 months, or 30 months. At 18 months or 24 months, the child is screened explicitly for any signs of Autism.
  • If the child shows any problems during the screening, he is taken to a complete evaluation test to test for hearing and vision first. Your doctor might suggest you to another doctor who specializes in Autism disorders.

Autism Treatment

There is no permanent cure for Autism. But it can be managed well if treated at an early age. If you feel your child is not responding well or not developing like other children, go immediately to your doctor. 

Treatment may work for one person but do not for another. Your doctor will treat you according to your capacity and level of Autism. The two main types of treatment are:

  • Applied behavior Analysis (ABA) is a behavior and communication therapy done to promote positive action and discourages negative behavior. Occupational therapy is helpful with life skills such as dressing, eating, etc. Speech therapy is used for improving communication skills. Sensory Integration Therapy is used for treating subjects who have a problem with touch or by sound or smell.
  • Some medication is also provided to deal with ASD-like symptoms such as anxiety, hyperactivity, etc.

Do check our recent blog – https://www.saideephospital.com/2021/01/30/bipolar-disorder/

Visit here for regular Health Updates – https://www.instagram.com/saideephealthcareofficial/

Bipolar Disorder
Author Categories Medical Leave a comment

BIPOLAR DISORDER

Bipolar Disorder refers to a mental condition in which the patient suffers from extreme shifts in mood. The symptoms may vary from person to person, including a significantly elevated mood known as mania.

They can also entail an episode of severe depression. Bipolar disorder is also popularly known as manic depression or bipolar disease across the globe.

There is no absolute cure for a bipolar patient. These individuals may feel uncomfortable living their lives, doing daily chores and tasks, and maintaining healthy relationships. However, the symptoms of this disease could be managed by certain medications and treatments. 

BIPOLAR DISORDER

BIPOLAR DISORDER TRIVIA

A surprising fact about bipolar disorder is that nearly 2.8% of U.S. adults, i.e., around 5 million people, suffer from this disease. Yes, you heard it right. This is not a rare phenomenon. However, the symptoms might start showing after the person has turned 25.

Mood swings may differ for every individual. For some people, depression caused by bipolar disorder could last two weeks. The mania episode could last from several days to weeks too.

Some individuals find a rare occurrence of any bipolar attack in their lives, forex, one or two times a year. In contrast, some may find it a large part of their daily lives.

TYPES

Bipolar disease is broadly bifurcated into three types-:

  • Bipolar I
  • Bipolar II
  • Cyclothymia

BIPOLAR I

This type of disorder affects men and women equally. Bipolar I is defined as the occurrence of at least one manic episode. The patient may feel hyper or depressed before or after one manic episode.

BIPOLAR II

People with Bipolar disorder type II experience a significant episode of depression that lasts for at least two weeks. These patients may also feel a significant hypomanic episode that could last for four days. However, this type of bipolar disorder can usually be seen in women.

CYCLOTHYMIA

Individuals suffering from cyclothymia have an episode of both hypomania and depression. However, the symptoms are shorter and mild than the mania and depression in Bipolar I and Bipolar II. Patients of this disease may only find a couple of months that are stable. 

While discussing your symptoms with your doctor, he would tell you what kind of bipolar disorder you might have.

BIPOLAR DISORDER SYMPTOMS

During the episodes of bipolar disease, the patients may fall prey to 3 types of symptoms; mania, hypomania, and depression.

Individuals suffering from mania may go through an emotional high. They can feel highly excited, euphoric, or full of energy. While experiencing mania, people can indulge in activities like-:

  • Substance abuse
  • Unprotected sex
  • Spending splurge

Hypomania is related to type II bipolar disorder. Although this is a lot like mania, the severity is a lot less. People suffering from hypomania can go around doing their routine tasks but may feel a slight change in their mood.

An episode of depression can make you feel:

  • Deeply sad or anxious
  • Hopelessness or loss of energy
  • Guilt or suicidal thoughts

BIPOLAR DISORDER IN MEN

Although bipolar disease is gender-neutral, it can happen to both men and women, but men’s symptoms can differ from what the women feel. You could tell if a man is bipolar if-:

  • Early age diagnosis
  • May experience more episodes than women, especially mania
  • Have substance usage issues

Men with a bipolar episode are less likely to ask for help or guidance than women and are more likely to die by suicide.

BIPOLAR DISORDER IN WOMEN

Some of the symptoms that could differentiate women with bipolar disorder are-:

  • Late diagnosis; maybe late 30s
  • Have fewer episodes of mania and more depression
  • Usually, succumb to rapid cycling, four or more episodes in a year.
  • Have a higher risk of alcohol misuse

BIPOLAR DISORDER IN CHILDREN

Diagnosing bipolar symptoms in children can be tricky, especially since they don’t show typical signs like adults. Sometimes the symptoms get overlapped by other symptoms of a variety of different conditions usually faced by children.

However, in the last few years, doctors and mental health professionals have found a way to gauge the symptoms of bipolar disease in children. Usually, the diagnosis takes weeks or months, but people can manage the symptoms after some treatments and medications.

Some symptoms of mania and depression in children are-;

  • Speaking too fast
  • Having risky behaviors
  • Insomnia
  • Having trouble focusing
  • Feeling sad or anxious.
  • Complaining about frequent aches
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Lack of appetite

CAUSES

Bipolar disorder is a common phenomenon, but it is still one mystery that doctors and researchers cannot solve. It is not yet clear why do some people develop a condition like this. But there are some probable causes of bipolar disorder. These are-:

  • Genetics- if you have someone in your family with a history of bipolar disorder, you will likely develop a condition like this.
  • Environmental factors- it is not just the body that is responsible for developing bipolar disorder, but external factors, such as-:
    • Trauma
    • Stress
    • Extreme illness
  • Brain deficiency- if your brain is not working correctly or has abnormalities, you will be more likely to develop a condition like this.

BIPOLAR DISORDER TREATMENT

There is no absolute cure for bipolar disease. Although your doctor would use several tests and examinations to diagnose your symptoms, such as

  • Mental health examination
  • Mood journal
  • Physical exam

Several treatments could help you manage or curb your symptoms. Some natural remedies may also come in handy such as-:

  • Medications such as mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, etc.
  • Physiotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, etc.
  • Other treatments may include; sleep medication, supplements, acupuncture, etc.
  • Lifestyle changes

If you found out that you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, don’t worry. You are not alone. There are around 60 million people around the world coping with the same stress.

Educate yourself and those around you. Seek medical health and guidance. People with depression may have suicidal thoughts. You should take suicide very seriously.

Check our recent Blog post – https://www.saideephospital.com/2021/01/29/schizophrenia/

Visit here for regular Health Updates – https://www.instagram.com/saideephealthcareofficial/

Treatment of Schizophrenia
Author Categories Health care Leave a comment

Schizophrenia

Of all the misunderstood mental illnesses, Schizophrenia gets a horrible reputation. The condition is characterized by disordered thoughts, unusual speech and behavior, and an inaccurate view of reality.

It’s often used as the go-to disorder for violent criminals in movies and television shows. Still, schizophrenia affects a diverse range of people, many of whom can lead to regular, satisfying lives with treatments like therapy and medication. 

Schizophrenia is a complicated mental health problem related to psychosis. There are lots of misconceptions about it. Even mental health professionals disagree about it. But the reality is that about 1 in every 100 people get this diagnosis at some point in their life. With the context being set up, in this blog, we will try to explain the various facets of Schizophrenia, starting with its definition. 

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental disease that generally appears in a person in early childhood or late adolescence. This mental disorder is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and several other cognitive impairments. Schizophrenia can be a lifelong struggle for people affected by this disease. People who have this mental disorder may hear sounds and voices that are not there in reality.

Some patients who have schizophrenia can feel and even convince themselves that others are reading their minds, plotting against them, or controlling their thinking. Schizophrenic patients often remain withdrawn and feel distressed or even act fanatically at times.

People living with schizophrenic patients often find it hard to understand what the patient is talking about. On other occasions, schizophrenic patients, when they seem to feel okay, may start explaining what they are genuinely thinking about. It is a very actual fact that mental disease’s effects reach far beyond the patients themselves.

It also affects their friends, families, and society. A sizable proportion of schizophrenic patients have to rely on others for their daily sustenance since they often become unable to hold any job or take care of themselves. Many schizophrenia patients also resist their treatments as they feel normal, and there is nothing wrong with them. 

Now that we understand what Schizophrenia entails, let’s look at its symptoms, causes, and possible treatments: 

Symptoms:

Many experiences and behaviors can be part of schizophrenia. They can start suddenly, or they might develop gradually over time. Each person’s experience is unique. A doctor might suggest you have schizophrenia if you experience some of the following:

  • A lack of interest in things
  • Feeling disconnected from your emotions.
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Wanting to avoid people
  • Hallucinations, such as hearing voices or seeing things others don’t
  • Delusions (strong beliefs that others don’t share), including paranoid delusions
  • Disoriented thinking and speech
  • Not wanting to look after yourself.

Causes: 

No one cause has been linked to schizophrenia. Doctors suspect that genetics may play a role in some cases: A chemical imbalance related to the neurotransmitter dopamine may increase someone’s chances of developing schizophrenia, as can complications during their birth. People with a parent with schizophrenia are more likely to have it themselves, but this is thought to result from a cocktail of genetic factors and not one specific gene mutation. There’s also a clear line between schizophrenia and environmental pressures. Stressful situations can trigger schizophrenia in people who are already predisposed to it. People with schizophrenia are also more likely to abuse substances (up to 50 percent are addicted to drugs or alcohol). Still, it’s not always clear when the behavior exacerbates the disorder or vice versa.

Treatment:

There’s no cure for schizophrenia. If you’re diagnosed with this disorder, you’ll need lifelong treatment. Treatments can control or reduce the severity of symptoms. It’s essential to get treatment from a psychiatrist or mental health professional who has experience treating people with this disorder. You may also work with a social worker or a case manager too. Possible treatments include the following:

Medications: Antipsychotic medication is the most common treatment for schizophrenia. Medication can help stop hallucinations, delusions, symptoms of psychosis. Antipsychotic medications that target the neurotransmitter dopamine are commonly prescribed to patients. Some examples of these drugs include aripiprazole (Abilify), brexpiprazole (Rexulti), and lurasidone (Latuda). Drugs can make life manageable for schizophrenic patients, but they can also come with side effects such as weight gain, constipation, low blood pressure, and even seizures.

Psychosocial intervention: Another treatment option for schizophrenia is a psychosocial intervention. This includes individual therapy to help you cope with stress and your illness.

Schizophrenic patients are at a greater risk for a slew of different mental illnesses. Rates of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder are higher among people with schizophrenia. Symptoms of schizophrenia can overlap with these disorders: Suicidal thoughts and a lack of motivation and interest in life are schizophrenic symptoms that are also hallmarks of depression.

Check out our recent blog post at – https://www.saideephospital.com/2021/01/14/know-your-migraine/

Visit here for regular health updates – https://www.instagram.com/saideephealthcareofficial/

Antibiotics
Author Categories Medical Leave a comment

Antibiotics – The misused miracle

The gravity of the problem of Antibiotic resistance is immense. Let us try to illustrate. Antibiotics have started to fail. Resistant bacteria already cause more than 750,000 deaths every year. This number is predicted to rise dramatically if radical actions are not taken. 

Antibiotics – The misused miracle

Antibiotic resistance has become one of the greatest threats to global health. 

  • Antibiotic resistance kills. 214,000 newborns are estimated to die every year from blood infections (sepsis) caused by resistant bacteria – representing at least 30% of all sepsis deaths in newborns.
  • Antibiotic resistance spreads silently across the world. More than 60% of the populations in some areas carry multidrug-resistant bacteria in their normal bacterial flora.
  • Antibiotic resistance is costly. It is estimated that the median overall increased cost to treat a resistant bacterial infection is around 700 USD, equal to over one year’s wages of a rural worker in India. Novel treatments for multidrug-resistant infections can cost up to tens of thousands of dollars, making them unaffordable for many.
  • Antibiotic resistance is here now. Resistance has already developed to the last-line antibiotics for gonorrhea, which in some cases is nearly untreatable. With 106 million new cases/year, the consequences of total resistance would be devastating.

Antibiotic resistance is alarming, but what is it, how does it happen and what can be done? Let’s start with a little history and science. 

Why should we care about this issue?

Antibiotic drugs have revolutionized medicine and made our modern way of life possible. In addition to their essential role in the clinic, antibiotics are used in a huge array of non-medical applications, from promoting growth in livestock to preserving building materials from contamination to treating blight in orchards. However, overuse threatens their efficacy due to the promotion and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Antibiotics target and inhibit essential cellular processes, retarding growth, and causing cell death. However, if bacteria are exposed to drugs below the dose required to kill all bacteria in a population (the minimum bactericidal concentration or MBC), they can mutate and resist antibiotic treatment via natural selection for resistance-conferring mutations. These genetic mutations can arise from the adoption of a plasmid encoding a resistance gene or by mutation to the bacterial chromosome itself.

The concern around the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria is compounded by the fact that the discovery of new antibiotics is a fleeting rare event. Most classes of antibiotics on the market were discovered in the mid-to-late 20th century. Thus, there is a limited arsenal of drugs to fight resistant bacteria, and bacteria can be resistant to multiple drugs at a time.

Given the importance of antibiotics to modern medicine, and the growing apprehension surrounding the threat of resistance, scientists are studying every aspect of antibiotic resistance.

Are bacteria learning to fight back? 

Although it seems like bacteria are in some way ‘learning’ how to fight back against us, the development of antibiotic resistance is an inevitable and natural part of bacterial evolution. Each time a bacterium multiplies, it divides into two and copies its DNA.

Imperfections in this process mean that in a population of millions, billions, or even trillions of multiplying bacterial cells, there are lots of ‘mistakes’, know as mutations, in the DNA of each successive generation.

Owing to the sheer number of variants, over time a tiny proportion of individuals will, by chance, develop a quirk that means they are immune to certain antibiotics. A mutation may, for example, subtly change the structure of a key molecule that the antibiotic targets, rendering it ineffective. Or, it may mean the bacteria start producing a chemical that destroys the antibacterial properties of the drug.

What’s causing the problem?

Antibiotic resistance becomes a big problem when antibiotics are overused. Using an antibiotic destroys a lot of bacteria in a person’s body – both good and bad strains. Antibiotics are found to be used indiscriminately, like taking wrong antibiotics or inappropriate dose and for the inappropriate duration; patients not taking the full course of antibiotics as they stop it soon after feeling better, using antibiotics for viral diseases, etc. These types of misuses lead to the rise of antibiotic resistance. The more often antibiotics are used, the more likely it is that drug-resistant bacteria will come to dominate in any given location. And it’s not just human medicine that helps spread antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics are also given to animals for disease prevention and growth promotion. Such antibiotics expose a large number of animals and thus bacteria, for more extended period, and at lower doses. This leads to the evolution of resistance. Consuming the animals as food or by close contact with such animals, humans get such resistant bacteria. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the hospital, poultry farm, or any other place spread in the environment. These bacteria cause infectious diseases which are difficult to treat.

What you can do to help?

To help fight antibiotic resistance and protect yourself against infection:

  • Don’t take antibiotics unless you’re certain you need them. An estimated 30% of the millions of prescriptions written each year are not needed. Always ask your doctor if antibiotics will really help. For illnesses caused by viruses — common colds, bronchitis, and many ear and sinus infections — they won’t.
  • Finish your pills. Take your entire prescription exactly as directed. Do it even if you start feeling better. If you stop before the infection is completely wiped out, those bacteria are more likely to become drug-resistant.
  • Get vaccinated. Immunizations can protect you against some diseases that are treated with antibiotics. They include tetanus and whooping cough.
  • Stay safe in the hospital. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are commonly found in hospitals. Make sure your caregivers wash their hands properly. Also, ask how to keep surgical wounds free of infection.
  • Prevent transmission of pathogen: The patient should maintain proper hygiene and sanitization; hand washing should be promoted, direct contact with the patient should be avoided to prevent the spread of communicable disease.

Check out our recent blog – https://www.saideephospital.com/2021/01/15/muscular-dystrophy-the-neurological-weakness/

Visit here for regular health updates – https://www.instagram.com/saideephealthcareofficial/

Author Categories Uncategorized Leave a comment

Muscular Dystrophy – The Neurological Weakness

A muscular Dystrophy is a group of diseases that make muscles weaker and less flexible over time. This damage and weakness are due to the lack of a protein called dystrophin, which is necessary for normal muscle function. The absence of this protein can cause problems with walking, swallowing, and muscle coordination.

For some people, the disease starts early in childhood. Others don’t have any symptoms until they are teenagers or middle-aged adults. In muscular dystrophy, abnormal genes (mutations) interfere with proteins’ production needed to form healthy muscle. 

How muscular dystrophy affects an individual depends on the kind. Most people’s condition will worsen over time, and some people may lose the ability to walk, talk, or care for themselves. But that doesn’t happen to everyone. Other people can live for many years with mild symptoms.

There’s no cure for muscular dystrophy. But medications and therapy can help manage symptoms and slow the course of the disease. Some forms of muscular dystrophy may be present at birth and develop during childhood, while other forms develop during adulthood. 

Muscular dystrophy can be hereditary as well. More than 30 types of muscular dystrophy result in muscle weakness, which varies in symptoms and severity. There are nine different categories used for diagnosis. Let us explore each type in detail. 

Muscular Dystrophy

Types of Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy: This type of muscular dystrophy is the most common among children. The majority of individuals affected are boys. It’s rare for girls to develop it. The symptoms include:

  • trouble walking
  • loss of reflexes
  • difficulty standing up
  • poor posture
  • bone thinning
  • scoliosis, which is an abnormal curvature of your spine
  • mild intellectual impairment
  • breathing difficulties
  • swallowing problems
  • lung and heart weakness

People with Duchenne muscular dystrophy typically require a wheelchair before their teenage years. The life expectancy for those with this disease is late teens or 20s.

Becker muscular dystrophy: Becker muscular dystrophy is similar to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but it’s less severe. This type of muscular dystrophy also more commonly affects boys. Muscle weakness occurs mostly in your arms and legs, with symptoms appearing between age 11 and 25.

Other symptoms of Becker muscular dystrophy include:

  • walking on your toes
  • frequent falls
  • muscle cramps
  • trouble getting up from the floor

Many with this disease don’t need a wheelchair until they’re in their mid-30s or older, and a small percentage of people with this disease never require one. Most people with Becker muscular dystrophy live until middle age or later.

Congenital muscular dystrophy: Congenital muscular dystrophies are often apparent between birth and age 2. This is when parents begin to notice that their child’s motor functions and muscle control aren’t developing as they should. Symptoms vary and may include:

  • muscle weakness
  • poor motor control
  • inability to sit or stand without support
  • scoliosis
  • foot deformities
  • trouble swallowing
  • respiratory problems
  • vision problems
  • speech problems
  • intellectual impairment

While symptoms vary from mild to severe, most people with congenital muscular dystrophy are unable to sit or stand without help. The lifespan of someone with this type also varies, depending on the symptoms. Some people with congenital muscular dystrophy die in infancy, while others live until adulthood.

Myotonic dystrophy: Myotonic dystrophy is also called Steinert’s disease or dystrophia myotonica. This form of muscular dystrophy causes myotonia, an inability to relax your muscles after they contract. Myotonia is exclusive to this type of muscular dystrophy.

Myotonic dystrophy can affect your:

  • facial muscles
  • central nervous system
  • adrenal glands
  • heart
  • thyroid
  • eyes
  • gastrointestinal tract

Symptoms most often appear first in your face and neck. They include:

  • drooping muscles in your face, producing a thin, lean look
  • difficulty lifting your neck due to weak neck muscles
  • difficulty swallowing
  • droopy eyelids, or ptosis
  • early baldness in the front area of your scalp
  • low vision, including cataracts
  • weight loss
  • increased sweating

This dystrophy type may also cause impotence and testicular atrophy in males. In women, it may cause irregular periods and infertility.

Myotonic dystrophy diagnoses are most common in adults in their 20s and 30s. The severity of symptoms can vary greatly. Some people experience mild symptoms, while others have potentially life-threatening symptoms involving the heart and lungs.

Facioscapulohumeral (FSHD): Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is also known as Landouzy-Dejerine disease. This type of muscular dystrophy affects the muscles in your face, shoulders, and upper arms. FSHD may cause:

  • difficulty chewing or swallowing
  • slanted shoulders
  • a crooked appearance of the mouth
  • a wing-like appearance of the shoulder blades

A smaller number of people with FSHD may develop hearing and respiratory problems.

FSHD tends to progress slowly. Symptoms usually appear during your teenage years, but they sometimes don’t appear until your 40s. Most people with this condition live a full life span.

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy causes weakening of the muscles and a loss of muscle bulk. This type of muscular dystrophy usually begins in your shoulders and hips, but it may also occur in your legs and neck. You may find it hard to get up out of a chair, walk up and downstairs, and carry heavy items if you have limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. You may also stumble and fall more easily.

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy affects both males and females. Most people with this form of muscular dystrophy are disabled by age 20. However, many have an average life expectancy.

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD): Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy causes weakness in your facial, neck, and shoulder muscles. Other symptoms include:

  • drooping eyelids
  • trouble swallowing
  • voice changes
  • vision problems
  • heart problems
  • difficulty walking

OPMD occurs in both men and women. Individuals usually receive diagnoses in their 40s or 50s.

Distal muscular dystrophy: Distal muscular dystrophy is also called distal myopathy. It affects the muscles in your:

  • forearms
  • hands
  • calves
  • feet

It may also affect your respiratory system and heart muscles. The symptoms tend to progress slowly and include a loss of fine motor skills and difficulty walking. Most people, both male and female, are diagnosed with distal muscular dystrophy between 40 and 60.

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy: Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy tends to affect more boys than girls. This type of muscular dystrophy usually begins in childhood. The symptoms include:

  • weakness in your upper arm and lower leg muscles
  • breathing problems
  • heart problems
  • shortening of the muscles in your spine, neck, ankles, knees, and elbows

Most individuals with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy die in mid-adulthood from heart or lung failure.

Treatment for muscular dystrophy

There is currently no cure for muscular dystrophy.

To help ease discomfort, reduce joint contractures, and prevent or delay scoliosis, physiotherapists offer advice on stretches and exercises and the prescription of orthoses and other orthopedic devices. Occupational therapists also provide advice on sitting positions and activities. Such treatment can keep affected people walking for more extended and maximize independence in daily living. Treatments depend on your symptoms.

Treatment options include:

  • corticosteroid drugs, which help strengthen your muscles and slow muscle deterioration
  • assisted ventilation if respiratory muscles are affected
  • medication for heart problems
  • surgery to help correct the shortening of your muscles
  • surgery to repair cataracts
  • surgery to treat scoliosis
  • surgery to treat cardiac problems

Therapy has proven to be effective. You can strengthen your muscles and maintain your range of motion using physical therapy. Occupational therapy can help you:

  • become more independent
  • improve your coping skills
  • improve your social skills
  • gain access to community services

Check out our recent blog – https://www.saideephospital.com/2021/01/15/anorexia-the-sickness-that-robs-your-fitness/

Visit here for daily updates – https://www.instagram.com/saideephealthcareofficial/

1 2 3 … 5
Hi, How Can We Help You?