Muscular Dystrophy Diagnosis & Treatment
If you have a family history of muscular dystrophy, you may want to consult a genetic counselor before having children. The odds of passing the disease on to your children range from 25% to 50%. Carriers -- typically sisters and mothers of those with MD -- usually don't have the disease, but they may exhibit mild symptoms that give hints of it. They can pass the disease on to their children; their sons will get the disease and half the time, their daughters become carriers. For Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies, protein and DNA tests can identify carriers, and DNA probes can provide prenatal diagnosis. Tests for carriers of other forms of muscular dystrophy are under development.
Understanding Muscular Dystrophy -- Diagnosis and Treatment
In this article
- How is Muscular Dystrophy Diagnosed?
- What Are the Treatments for Muscular Dystrophy?
- Conventional Medicine for Muscular Dystrophy
- Can You Prevent Muscular Dystrophy?
Can You Prevent Muscular Dystrophy?
If you have a family history of muscular dystrophy, you may want to consult a genetic counselor before having children. The odds of passing the disease on to your children range from 25% to 50%. Carriers -- typically sisters and mothers of those with MD -- usually don't have the disease, but they may exhibit mild symptoms that give hints of it. They can pass the disease on to their children; their sons will get the disease and half the time, their daughters become carriers. For Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies, protein and DNA tests can identify carriers, and DNA probes can provide prenatal diagnosis. Tests for carriers of other forms of muscular dystrophy are under development.