FREE ESSAY ON CEREBRAL PASY VS. MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

CEREBRAL PASY VS. MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

Muscular dystrophy is a rare inherited muscle disease in which the muscle fibers are
unusually susceptible to damage. The muscles, primarily the voluntary muscles, become
progressively weaker. In the late stages of muscular dystrophy, muscle fibers often are
replaced by fat and connective tissue. 
There are several types of muscular dystrophy. The various types of the disease affect
more than 50,000 Americans. Many are associated with specific genetic abnormalities.The
most common muscular dystrophies appear to be due to a genetic deficiency of the muscle
protein dystrophin. These types of the disease are called dystrophinopathies. They
include:
? Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. This is the most severe form of dystrophinopathy.
Duchenne's muscular dystrophy affects young boys. Signs and symptoms of the disease
usually appear between the ages of 2 and 5. Children with the disease fall and have
difficulty getting up off the floor. By late childhood, most are unable to walk. Most die
by their late teens or early 20s, often from pneumonia, respiratory muscle weakness or
cardiac complications.
? Becker's muscular dystrophy. This is a milder form of dystrophinopathy. It generally
affects older boys and young men, and progresses more slowly, usually over several
decades.
Duchenne's and Becker's muscular dystrophy are passed from mother to son through one of
the mother's genes. The disease can skip a generation until another son inherits the
defective gene. In some cases of Duchenne's and Becker's muscular dystrophies, the
disease arises from a new mutation in a gene rather than from an inherited defective
gene. Other types of muscular dystrophies can be handed on from generation to generation
and affect males and females equally. Still others require a defective gene from both
parents.
Signs Are:
? Muscle weakness 
? Apparent lack of coordination 
? Inability to elevate your arms over your head 
? Progressive crippling, resulting in loss of mobility
Diagnosis:
? Blood Tests-Damaged muscles release enzymes such as creatine kinase (CK) into the
blood. High blood levels of CK suggest a muscle disease such as muscular dystrophy
? Electromyography- Electrical activity is measured as you relax and as you gently
tighten the muscle. Changes in the pattern of electrical activity can confirm a muscle
disease. The distribution of the disease can be determined by testing different muscles.

? Muscle Biopsy-A small piece of muscle is taken for laboratory analysis. The analysis
distinguishes muscular dystrophies from other muscle diseases
? Genetic Testing-This can be done simply by a small blood sample for laboratory testing
to see weather there is a abnormal gene
Treatment-
There is currently no cure for any form of muscular dystrophy. Research into gene therapy
may eventually provide treatment for some types of muscular dystrophy. Anti-inflammatory
corticosteroid medications have been used to try to slow the progression of Duchenne's
muscular dystrophy. 
Physical and occupational therapy can help to maximize the function of muscles and to
maintain the independence of people with muscular dystrophy. Exercises can prevent
contraction of muscles and joints and may reduce or delay curvature of the spine.
Because respiratory infections may become a problem in later stages of muscle diseases,
it's important to be vaccinated for pneumonia and to keep up-to-date with influenza
shots. If respiratory muscles become weakened, using a ventilator may become necessary.
Prevention-
To prevent this disease from being inherited, you have to seek genetic counseling, so the
disease wont spread to other generations of children. 
Causes:
1. Cerebral palsy results from an abnormality in areas of the brain that control motor
function. Though cerebral palsy affects the muscles, the underlying problem originates in
the brain, not in the muscles themselves.
2. Insufficient circulation to areas of the brain either before or following birth,
Infection in or beside the brain
3. Bleeding in the brain
4. Bio Chemical or genetic factors or other causes that remain unknown
5. Or abnormal Brain Development
6. Meningitis after birth 
Symptoms:
The symptom depends on where and how much damage was done to the brain. The symptoms
usually include:
1. Poor Muscle Control
2. Seizures
3. Hearing and vision impairments
4. Speech Impairment
5. Mental Retardation
6. Balance when walking
Treatments:
Injury to the brain is permanent, as always full recovery is not possible. The degree of
damage varies from case to case it is always difficult to make a prognosis, to one
patient. Physical and Occupational therapists through therapy helps the child gain the
knowledge and skills necessary for every day life. Nutritionlist are there to make sure
the normal growth occurs. Psychologist deals with and helps work with educational and
personal problems. Through these people they work together to make sure the patient has
competency, and independence always. These are the ways the patient is helped and cared
for to ensure the best for his/her future. 
Bibliography
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