Diseases

Muscular Dystrophy is a group of clinical condition in which there is a gradual increase in weakening and breakdown of skeletal muscles resulting in a disorder. In most of the cases are unable to walk, may be associated with other systemic problems.

Cause

Basic cause for Muscular Dystrophy is mutation in genes that are involved in formation of muscle proteins. Mutated gene may be inheritance or occurred during early development.

Pathophysiology

Dystrophin is a muscle protein which links with actin in the sarcolemma contributing mechanical stabilization. It also regulates calcium levels too. The gene for Dystrophin is located on X chromosome and hence males are more susceptible to this disease.

Classification

Muscular Dystrophy group contains 13 different genetic disorders that are categorized into 9; most common being Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, affecting males at around age of four.

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms depends the muscle group involved. Progressive muscular wasting, poor balance, limited range of movement, respiratory difficulty, recurrent muscle spasms, scoliosis are some of the commonly seen symptoms.

Ayurveda Treatment for Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular Dystrophy Ayurvedic management includes conservative, maintaining the strength of muscles and rasayana therapy.

Along with the ongoing medication the person can take Ayurveda internal medication.

Special panchakarma therapy for muscular dystrophy is done under Ayurveda doctor’s supervision which includes disease specific oil massage, Kizhi etc. After purifactory therapies rejuvenating medicines will be given under strict diet regime.

The treatment protocol depends on which skeletal muscle groups are affected. The management is more complicated if there is involvement of caridac and respiratory muscles as their prognosis is rapid.