
Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. It occurs worldwide and affects people of all races, though some forms are more common than others. The most common form of muscular dystrophy in children is Duchenne muscular dystrophy, while the most common form in adults is myotonic dystrophy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most common form in childhood | Duchenne muscular dystrophy |
| Most common form in adulthood | Myotonic dystrophy |
| Most common form overall | Myotonic dystrophy |
| Incidence | Varies depending on the type of muscular dystrophy |
| Prevalence | Worldwide, affecting all races |
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What You'll Learn
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common form of the disease in childhood
- Myotonic dystrophy is the most common form of the disease in adulthood
- Muscular dystrophy occurs worldwide and affects people of all races
- The main symptom of muscular dystrophy is muscle weakness
- Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common form of the disease in childhood
Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. It occurs worldwide and affects people of all races. The most common form of the disease in childhood is Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which mostly affects boys. Symptoms of this type of muscular dystrophy include muscle atrophy, difficulty walking, climbing stairs or running, and muscle pain. Many people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are unable to walk past their teens, while others maintain their ability to walk until their mid-30s or later. The condition tends to get worse over time.
The most common form of muscular dystrophy in adulthood is myotonic dystrophy, which affects men and women equally. People with this type of muscular dystrophy have difficulty relaxing their muscles after using them. It can also affect the heart and lungs and cause endocrine issues such as thyroid disease and diabetes.
Congenital muscular dystrophies (CMD) are a group of muscular dystrophies that become apparent at or near birth. They cause overall muscle weakness with possible joint stiffness or looseness. Depending on the type, CMD may also involve spinal curvature (scoliosis), breathing issues, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, eye issues or seizures.
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Myotonic dystrophy is the most common form of the disease in adulthood
Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. The most common form of the disease in adulthood is myotonic dystrophy, which affects men and women equally. People with myotonic dystrophy have difficulty relaxing their muscles after using them. The condition can also affect the heart and lungs and may cause endocrine issues, such as thyroid disease and diabetes.
Myotonic dystrophy is the most common form of muscular dystrophy diagnosed in adulthood, but it is not the only form that can appear in adulthood. Some types of muscular dystrophy don't surface until adulthood, and symptoms of the most common variety begin in childhood, mostly in boys. The rate of muscle atrophy and weakness varies greatly between individuals with muscular dystrophy. Many people maintain their ability to walk until their mid-30s or later, while others are unable to walk past their teens.
Muscular dystrophy occurs worldwide and affects people of all races. Its incidence varies as some forms are more common than others, and some types are more prevalent in certain countries and regions of the world. The symptoms of muscular dystrophy can vary significantly depending on the type, but the main symptom is muscle weakness and other muscle-related issues. Each type can affect different muscles and parts of the body. Symptoms of muscular dystrophy generally get worse over time.
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Muscular dystrophy occurs worldwide and affects people of all races
Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. It occurs worldwide and affects people of all races. The most common form of muscular dystrophy in childhood is Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which mostly affects boys. The most common form in adulthood is myotonic dystrophy, which affects men and women equally. Myotonic dystrophy causes difficulty relaxing muscles after use, and can also affect the heart and lungs, and cause endocrine issues such as thyroid disease and diabetes.
The main symptom of muscular dystrophy is muscle weakness, but symptoms vary depending on the type. For example, congenital muscular dystrophies (CMD) cause overall muscle weakness, but can also cause joint stiffness or looseness, spinal curvature, breathing issues, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, eye issues or seizures. The rate of muscle atrophy and weakness varies greatly between individuals. Some people maintain their ability to walk until their mid-30s, while others are unable to walk past their teens.
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The main symptom of muscular dystrophy is muscle weakness
Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. The most common form of the disease in childhood is Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which usually occurs in boys. The most common form in adulthood is myotonic dystrophy, which affects men and women equally. Muscular dystrophy occurs worldwide and affects people of all races.
Muscle weakness can cause difficulty walking, climbing stairs or running, and an irregular walking gait (like waddling or toe walking). It can also cause trouble lifting the front part of the foot, leading to frequent tripping. Muscle weakness can make daily activities more difficult if the muscles of the arms and shoulders are affected.
The symptoms of muscular dystrophy can vary significantly depending on the type. However, other muscle-related issues are common. These can include muscle atrophy, stiff or loose joints, permanent tightening of muscles, tendons and skin (contractures), spasticity, and muscle pain.
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Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass
Specific signs and symptoms of muscular dystrophy begin at different ages and in different muscle groups, depending on the type of muscular dystrophy. For example, congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) refers to a group of muscular dystrophies that become apparent at or near birth. CMD causes overall muscle weakness and may also involve joint stiffness or looseness, spinal curvature (scoliosis), breathing issues, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, eye issues, or seizures.
Myotonic dystrophy, the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults, affects men and women equally. People with myotonic dystrophy have difficulty relaxing their muscles after using them. The condition can also affect the heart and lungs and may cause endocrine issues, such as thyroid disease and diabetes.
Muscular dystrophy occurs worldwide and affects people of all races. While some forms are more common than others, the incidence of muscular dystrophy varies, with some types being more prevalent in certain countries and regions of the world. There is currently no cure for muscular dystrophy, but medications and therapy can help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common form of muscular dystrophy in children is Duchenne muscular dystrophy, while the most common form in adults is myotonic dystrophy.
Muscular dystrophy causes progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. The main symptom is muscle weakness, but other symptoms include muscle atrophy, difficulty walking, climbing stairs or running, and muscle pain.
Muscular dystrophy occurs worldwide and affects people of all races. Its incidence varies as some forms are more common than others, and some types are more prevalent in certain countries and regions of the world.
Muscle weakness is typically noticed first in the upper arms and shoulders, upper legs, and pelvis.


































