Muscular Dystrophy Treatment in Ayurveda

The prognosis for muscular dystrophy depends on the type and severity of the signs. However, for most people, losing strength points out the inability to walk.

There is no cure for muscular dystrophy, but certain treatments are helpful in the management of muscular dystrophy.

Signs and Symptoms

There are more than 30 types of MD, each varying in symptoms and severity.

Duchenne type muscular dystrophy

This is the most common form of MD affecting more boys than girls.

Signs and symptoms, which onset in early infancy or childhood, might include:

• Frequent falls
• Difficulty rising from a lying or sitting position
• Trouble walking, running and jumping
• Walking on the toes
• Scoliosis, which is an abnormal curvature of your spine
• Muscle pain and stiffness
• Bone thinning
• Large calf muscles
• Learning disabilities
• Delayed growth
• Lung and heart weakness
• Breathing difficulties
• Swallowing problems
• Lung and heart weakness

Becker muscular dystrophy

This condition tends to be similar to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, just that it appears slowly and the signs seem to be milder. Usually, the signs do not appear until the mid-20s or later.

Symptoms of Becker muscular dystrophy include:

• frequent falls
• muscle cramps
• trouble getting up from a lying or sitting position

Many people with muscular dystrophy do not usually need a wheelchair to move until they are in their mid-30s or older.

Other types of muscular dystrophy

The different types of muscular dystrophy are classified based on where in the body symptoms have started appearing. Examples include:

Myotonic

The muscles on the face and neck are usually the affected area. People with this MD have long, thin faces, drooping eyelids, and long necks. The muscles are not able to relax following contractions in the myotonic MD.

Symptoms

• drooping muscles in your face
• difficulty lifting your neck due to weak muscles
• difficulty swallowing
• early baldness in the front area of your scalp
• poor vision or cataracts
• weight loss
• increased sweating

Limb-girdle

The signs are primarily visible on the hip and shoulder area. Those with limb-girdle MD find it hard to lift the front part of the foot, and so they trip more often. Other signs include difficulty getting up from the chair, walking, and carrying heavy

Facioscapulohumeral (FSHD)

The signs of muscle weakness typically begin in the face, hip, and shoulders. When you raise your arms, the shoulder blades might twig-like wings. The signs usually appear in childhood or late in life and may include:

• difficulty swallowing or chewing food
• slanted shoulders
• a crooked appearance of the mouth

Distal muscular dystrophy

Distal muscular dystrophy is also called distal myopathy. It affects muscles in your forearms, hands, calves, feet, heart, and respiratory system. Mostly the condition is diagnosable in the ages of 40 and 60.

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD)

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy affects muscles in your facial, neck, and shoulder. Other symptoms usually include:

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

Congenital

This type of muscular dystrophy affects both boys and girls and is present at birth or before the age of 2. Some forms of congenital MD progress slowly over time and cause mild disability initially, while others progress inadvertently and cause severe impairment.

When to see a doctor

Seek immediate medical advice if you notice signs of muscle weakness, such as fall, pain, or discomfort.

Causes

Muscular dystrophy is a disorder in which unhealthy genes disrupt the production of proteins that protect muscle fibers.

Each type of muscular dystrophy is triggered by a genetic mutation imputed to that type of disease. Most of these mutations are inherited.

Risk factors

• Muscular dystrophy occurs in both genders of all ages. However, Duchenne MD is more prevalent in young boys.
• People with a family history of muscular dystrophy are at risk of developing the disease or carry the genes to pass it on to their children.

Ayurvedic treatment for muscular dystrophy

For muscular dystrophy, aggravation of the Vata dosha and Sapta dhatus are responsible for maintaining body structure. Sapta dhatus involve Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Asthi, Majja, and Shukra. Each Sapta dhatus has its own digestive fire. When a digestive fire is vitiated in any of these dhatus, nutrients are not properly absorbed, which leads to weakness.

To cure muscle dystrophy, ayurvedic treatment helps to balance the Pitta dosha, and through Ahar and Vihar, it is supported that muscles regain strength and function properly. The power of Ayurveda lies in the use of herbs and spices in the treatment, ensuring the authenticity of the treatment.