Guide To The Types Of Muscular Dystrophy

Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a type of muscular dystrophy that most commonly affects the upper arms, shoulder blades, and muscles in the face. The weakness presents in the face first, and the facial muscles are most severely affected. Weakness also presents in the upper arms and shoulders, causing severe wasting. As the illness progresses, it tends to cause weakness in other muscles as well. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy patients usually begin showing symptoms before they are twenty years old. The first symptoms are atrophy and weakness of the eye mouth, lower leg, upper arm, and shoulder muscles. Later symptoms include abdominal and hip muscle weakness. Because this illness progresses slowly and doesn't usually affect the respiratory or heart muscles, the majority of individuals with this disease have average lifespans. This type of muscular dystrophy has infantile-onset and adult-onset forms, with adult-onset being much more commonly observed. Infantile-onset facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy can sometimes affect a child's vision and hearing as well.