What is muscular dystrophy?

Muscular dystrophy is the name used to describe a group of conditions, which causes a gradual loss of muscle size and strength.  This means that over time the muscles become weaker and it becomes more difficult to carry out tasks and actions such as walking.  Muscular Dystrophy doesn’t affect other abilities such as hearing, seeing, taste and speech. Click here to visit the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign website (opens new window).

What causes muscular dystrophy?

You may have heard about genes, these are the building blocks for us, they determine what colour eyes with have, what colour hair we have, what height we are, what colour our skin is and much more.  In muscular dystrophy one of the many genes that make us up has a fault. 

These conditions can be:

• Inherited – passed down the family line
• Gene Mutation – A new change in the gene
• Autoimmune - Immune system sends the wrong signal to the body and it attacks itself

Is there a cure?

Sadly, at present there is no cure, but scientists around the world are working very hard to try and find a cure or therapy for muscular dystrophy.  A lot of research has already been undertaken to look at which genes are at fault and if they could be repaired. 

However, it takes a very long time before a treatment can be given to patients.  Doctors and scientists need to put them through very strict tests to make sure that the treatment or therapy does what it should and if there are any nasty side effects that could make things worse. 

Improvements have been made in treating the symptoms of some conditions and practical solutions and aids have improved life for those affected.

Is muscular dystrophy always passed from one generation to the next?

When something is passed from one generation to the next this is known as hereditary.  It is usual that muscular dystrophy is hereditary, although sometimes a person can have muscular dystrophy without any past family history of it.

In one type of muscular dystrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy only girls who are carriers stand a chance of passing the condition on to 50% of their male (boys) children.  Boys who have the condition never carry this type of muscular dystrophy to their children.  When boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy become dads none of their male children will be affected but all of their girls will be carriers.  In some other types of muscular dystrophy both boys and girls stand a chance of passing it to their children if they have a partner who is also at risk, which is very rare.  Don’t panic if you are not sure what this means for you.  When you feel ready it can be arranged for you to speak to a specialist known as a genetic counsellor.  They should be able to explain this to you and help to work out the possible risk of this for you personally.