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Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is a form of muscular dystrophy that affects muscles and many other organs in the body. The word “myotonic” is the adjectival form of the word “myotonia,” defined as an inability to relax muscles at will.
Head, neck, and face muscle weakness. A long, thin face with hollow temples, drooping eyelids and, in men, balding in the front, is typical in myotonic dystrophy. The muscles of the neck, jaw, and parts of the head and face may weaken, especially in DM1. Facial weakness is less common and milder in DM2.
Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is a musculoskeletal disorder that affects the muscles and a number of different organs in the body. DM is the most common form of muscular dystrophy that begins in adulthood, usually in the 20s or 30s. It is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle loss and weakness. DM causes weakness of the voluntary
Signs and Symptoms. Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is more than just a muscle disease. Both DM1 and DM2 affect several aspects of physical and mental functioning to varying degrees and with variable scope.
Myotonic dystrophy (DM) includes two major types — DM1 and DM2 — both caused by genetic defects. They result in multisystem disorders characterized by skeletal muscle weakness and myotonia (difficulty relaxing muscles after use), cardiac abnormalities, cataracts, and other abnormalities.
Medical management. This section addresses medical management of the many symptoms of adult-onset DM1 and DM2, as well as childhood-onset DM1. These three forms of DM share similar medical management strategies. Multidisciplinary surveillance and management of these and other issues is optimal.
What causes DM? Type 1 myotonic dystrophy (DM1) and type 2 myotonic dystrophy (DM2) are both caused by abnormally expanded stretches of DNA. The expansions occur in two different genes but appear to
Doctors with experience in neuromuscular disorders often find it easy to diagnose type 1 myotonic dystrophy (DM1). Sometimes, just by looking at a person, asking a few questions, and performing an examination, a doctor can be well on the way to suspecting DM1.
Estimates of the incidence of congenital DM vary widely, ranging from about 2 to 28 per 100,000 live births in different studies. 23, 24 When DM symptoms manifest at birth, life-threatening complications ensue. However, once this critical period is past, improvement is likely during early childhood.
As yet, there is not a specific treatment that “gets at the root” of type 1 or type 2 myotonic dystrophy (DM1, DM2). Treatment is aimed at managing symptoms and minimizing disability. This section first addresses medical management of the many symptoms of adult-onset DM1/DM2 and childhood-onset DM1.