Muscular Dystrophy: One Disease that Helped Connect Two Families

• Speech Therapy: When facial muscles and organs connected to throat muscles are affected by MD, patients would usually have trouble speaking. It is advised for the patients to practice speech by slowing down their pace while speaking and pausing in between breaths.
• Occupational Therapy: This type of therapy aids patients to adapt and learn a new set of movements, skills, and abilities that would help improve their living situation. Some practices in this therapy include learning to maneuver assistive devices, such as wheelchairs and utensils.
• Drug Therapy: Taking medications that are advised by your specialists could slow down and control your illness and the symptoms that come along with it. These medications include
  • Glucocorticoids: One of the most common examples of this drug is Prednisone. Studies have shown that the constant use of Prednisine can improve respiratory function, ability, and muscular strength. It can also help reduce the weakness in muscles that are affected by MD. There are certain side effects from using Prednisone like an increase in weight, cataracts, and blood pressure. Recent studies have shown that there is another type of Glucocorticoids that has the same effect on Prednisone less the side effects.
  • Corticosteroids: These are another common medication used in treating muscular dystrophy. Corticosteroids help slow the progression of muscle deterioration. They also help improve and boost muscle strength.
  • Anticonvulsants: These are most commonly used to cure epilepsy, but in some cases, they are also used to treat muscle spasms and control seizures.
  • Immunosuppressants: These help slow down the damages to dying muscle cells. These medications are often used in treating autoimmune diseases like lupus and eczema.
  • Antibiotics: Antibiotics help treat problems, such as infections, in the respiratory system.