BREATHE WITH MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

Each day we breathe about 20,000 times.
When we breathe in the diaphragm moves downwards towards the abdomen and the rib muscles pull the ribs upwards and outwards enlarging the chest cavity pulling air in through the nose or mouth. Muscular dystrophy weakens muscles and overtime an individual with MD can find it hard to breathe.

Muscular dystrophy is a form of progressive neuromuscular disease that wastes and weakens the muscles of an individual. There are over 38 different forms of md.
The respiratory system is affected in many forms of MD, the most common ones being duchenne and spinal muscular atrophy.

During the teenage years, the breathing muscles weaken, causing shallow breathing and a less effective cough mechanism. This can lead to chest infections, because mucus and germs (bacteria) are not cleared so easily from the chest. It is important to treat chest infections promptly - for example, by getting medical advice early and taking antibiotic medicine where needed. Also, you will be offered immunisation with influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, to help prevent chest infections. Physiotherapy can help to clear mucus from the chest.

As the breathing muscles get weaker, oxygen levels in the blood may be reduced, more so while sleeping. Because this develops gradually, the symptoms may not be obvious. Possible symptoms are tiredness, irritability, morning headaches, night time waking and vivid dreams.

Breathing problems can be helped in various ways. There are techniques to assist breathing and coughing which can be taught by a physiotherapist. Also, various types of equipment can be used to assist breathing. Often, what helps is a method called 'non-invasive ventilation'. This uses a mask worn over the mouth or nose and delivers air which is pressurised. The extra air pressure compensates for the breathing muscles' weakness. Non-invasive ventilation can often be used in a way which does not interfere too much with other activities - for example, it may only be needed at night or from time to time. The equipment can be portable.

There are various other methods to help improve breathing and oxygen levels. The aim is to find the one most suited to each individual.
It is helpful if breathing problems are detected and treated early; so patients with DMD will usually be offered regular 'lung function tests' once they start to have significant muscle weakness. These are simple tests which can monitor the strength of the breathing muscles and the level of oxygen in the blood.

In the later stages of DMD, the muscle weakness progresses, and more support will be needed for breathing. This type of treatment has improved over recent years, which has helped to improve the quality of life and outlook for people with DMD.

CONCLUSION.
The information above is from: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/duchenne-muscular-dystrophy-leaflet
Check out this site for more on breathing with MD.
http://www.mda.org.au/Respiratory/Respiratory.asp

WADDLING GAIT

Ever wonder why individuals with Calpainopathy/LGMD2A exhibit a "waddling" gait when walking?

With the progression of LGMD2A the hip-girdle muscle weakness tends to be most prominent in the gluteus maximus and hip adductors muscles...this along with abdominal weakness, leads to a wide-based, lordotic gait or 'waddling' appearance when the individual ambulates.

The muscle weakness also causes a lordosis to develop. Lordosis refers to the inward curve of the lumbar spine (just above the buttocks). A small degree of lordosis is normal. Too much lordotic curving is often called a swayback (lordosis).

Lordosis tends to make the buttocks appear more prominent. Individuals with significant lordosis will have a large space underneath their lower back when lying face up on a hard surface.

The lordosis will increase as the muscle weakness progresses. In some ways, the arching of the back helps an individual compensate for the muscle weakness while attempting to maintain their center of gravity for balance.

To learn more about LGMD2A and  efforts to find a cure and treatment, please visit  : www.CureCalpain3.org

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