Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited diseases in which the muscles that control movement progressively weaken. In some forms of this disease the heart and other organs are also affected. (www.umm.edu).
There are nine major forms of muscular dystrophy myotonic, Duchenne, Becker, Limb-girdle, facioscapulohumeral, congenital, oculopharyngeal, distal, and Emery-Dreyfus.
Myotonic muscle dystrophy is the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults. This form affects both mean and women. This form usually appears any time from early childhood to adulthood. It is very rarely that newborns get this form of muscle dystrophy. The name Myotonic is named after a symptom called myotonia. This means prolonged spasm or stiffening of the muscles after use. I found through researching this topic that the symptoms were usually worse in the cold temperatures. This affects the central nervous system, heart, gastrointestinal tract, eyes, and hormone producing glands. Sufferers have a decreased life expectancy.
Duchenne muscle dystrophy is the most common form of muscular dystrophy in children. This form only affects males. Usually appears between the ages of 2 and 6. The life expectancy of this form is usually late teens to early 20's. Sufferers usually are in a wheelchair by the time they are 12. In most cases, this form will progressively deform the arms, legs, and the spine.
Becker muscle dystrophy is very similar to Duchene muscular dystrophy. It affects only males between the ages of 2 and 16 but there have been cases where it has appeared as late as 25. This form is mild and symptoms appear later and progress slowly. This form can cause heart problems. The disease severity varies with this form. Males can sometimes walk into there thirties and live up in adulthood.
Limb-girdle muscle dystrophy affects males and females in their teens to early adulthood. This causes progressive weakness that starts in the hips and then spreads to the shoulders, arms, and legs.