Iconic Symptoms Of Different Types Of Muscular Dystrophy

Frequent Falls

Frequent falls are a common sign of muscular dystrophy. They're best known as part of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but other subtypes can also include frequent falls. When a child with DMD is first showing symptoms, they may fall over more than other children their age, often without any apparent warning. Symptoms tend to occur early in childhood, and some parents might overlook them as a normal part of learning to move around. If a child is falling frequently enough to make their parents concerned for their safety, they should talk to their doctor.

Another subtype of muscular dystrophy that can include frequent falls is Becker muscular dystrophy. This is a less severe form of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, so the symptoms appear later. Typically, patients start seeing issues like increased falls between eleven and twenty-five years old. Myotonic dystrophy might cause falls due to muscle rigidity, but it usually affects the face and neck before the legs. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy can also cause frequent falls because an affected individual struggles to lift their foot fully, which leads to tripping.

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