Does Becker muscular dystrophy progress quickly?

Becker MD is progressive, meaning problems get worse with age. Symptoms gets worse slowly compared with Duchenne MD. Breathing muscles tend to stay strong enough that a ventilator or other mechanical breathing help isn’t needed.

What can Becker muscular dystrophy lead to?

The heart comprises mostly muscle, and therefore it is affected by muscular dystrophy. Becker muscular dystrophy can cause cardiomyopathy, a weakening of the heart muscles, which, if unaddressed, can lead to heart failure and the need for a transplant.

Is Becker muscular dystrophy curable?

There is no cure, but treatments are available to help with symptoms and maximize muscle function. It is vital that a person with BMD stay in shape and continue to use their muscles. This can include physical therapy. Treatment can also include genetic counseling, using splints, massages, and catabolic steroids.

What is the average life expectancy for a child with muscular dystrophy?

Median life expectancy without ventilatory support ranged between 14.4 and 27.0 years (pooled median: 19.0 years, 95% CI 18.0-20.9; weighted pooled median: 19.4 years, 18.2-20.1).

Is Becker muscular dystrophy painful?

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy patients don’t tend to suffer from pain from their condition or loss of sensations, but they may experience cramps and general aching which can be treated with over-the-counter medications.

How rare is Becker muscular dystrophy?

Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is an X-linked genetic disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. It is 1 of 9 types of muscular dystrophies affecting between 1 in 18,000 and 1 in 30,000 male births.

Is muscular dystrophy always fatal?

All types of muscular dystrophy slowly get worse, but how fast this happens varies widely. Some types of muscular dystrophy, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy in boys, are deadly. Other types cause little disability and people have a normal lifespan.

Is Becker muscular dystrophy rare?

Becker muscular dystrophy occurs in approximately 1 in 30,000 male births.

What age is Becker muscular dystrophy diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) may vary greatly. The symptoms can appear in early childhood, as early as age 5, or as late as age 60.

Is Becker muscular dystrophy a disability?

When muscular dystrophy takes away your ability to maintain gainful employment, it qualifies as a disability – and the Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes certain symptoms of the disease as a cause for benefits.