LGMD2A ADAPTIVE LIVING

These are some of the devices that can help someone with a progressive disorder like muscular dystrophy gain some independence. With the progressive nature of MD an individual is no longer able to do the things some take for granted like bathing, cooking, dressing or even eating.

These devices can help one live an active productive life. They may also seem expensive to purchase but let's not forget this is a one time purchase so you have to think of what will work best for you... 

SCOLIOSIS AND MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

Scoliosis or curvature of the spine affects many individuals with nerve and muscle disease.

This mostly happens to people with muscular dystrophy because muscles of either side of the spine show weakness.

CAUSES

• Congenital scoliosis: caused by a defect at birth.
• Neuromuscular scoliosis: caused by abnormal muscles or nerves.
• Degenerative scoliosis: this may result from trauma, bone collapse, back surgery or osteoporosis
• Idiopathic scoliosis: has no identifiable cause but evidence show that it might be inherited. 

TREATMENT

• Bracing: This treatment is common to adolescents who have scoliosis of about 25- 40 degrees,especially if they are still maturing. In muscular dystrophy this type of treatment is normally done to boys with duchenne.

• Surgery: those who have curves above 50 degrees are normally scheduled for surgery. The ultimate goal is to make sure the curve does not worsen but this does not straighten  the spine. Metallic rods are placed on each side of the spine to keep it straight.

Scoliosis can also bring about complications in breathing, if the curve deforms the ribs this eventually affects the lungs. When the spine curves pain and discomfort is also felt due to the stretched ligaments and tissues especially if an individual has backache it can lead to that person being bedridden.

If you have muscular dystrophy it is advisable to stay active as much as possible and follow the routine exercises your doctor has designed for you, this is so because one exercise routine may be detrimental to another.

WHEN YOUR MUSCLES TWITCH

MUSCLE TWITCHING is also known as muscle fasciculation. This involves small muscle contractions in the body,
Our bodies are comprised of fibres, tissues and nerves and normally when they are stimulated or damaged the muscle fibres twitch. Muscle twitches are minor and often go unnoticed.
They are often felt in the eyelids, calf and thumb.

Conditions that muscle twitching is common include:

• muscular dystrophy
• Lou Gehrig's disease (a rare disease that causes your nerve cells to die)
• spinal muscular atrophy
• Isaac's syndrome (an autoimmune disorder affecting the nerves)
• any trauma to a nerve leading to a muscle
• muscle wasting or weakness

Muscle twitching is not a serious medical emergency but it is advisable to seek medical advice when twitching becomes persistent or chronic.

How to manage twitching at home: 

• Take a balanced diet.
• Limit your caffeine intake
• Adequate sleep is recommended
• Manage your stress levels

When the symptoms are persistent the doctor may order either of the following tests:

• Blood tests to look for problems with electrolytes, thyroid gland function, and blood chemistryCT scan of the spine or brain
• Electromyogram (EMG)
• Nerve conduction studies
• MRI scan of the spine or brain

Many people think that when a twitch occurs it is blood flowing with too much  pressure because twitching can be felt under the skin.