Some people live a full life with MD.
Others, including those diagnosed withDuchennemuscular dystrophy (DMD), typically have lived into their teens and 20s.
Muscular dystrophy cannot be cured and there are no treatments to stop the progression of the disease.
Verywell / Joules Garcia
The goal is to manage symptoms and help a person to live well with the condition.
Life expectancy with DMD also may be longer with at-home ventilation.
Some researchers identifymechanical ventilationas the reason why people diagnosed with DMD may now live into their fourth decade.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most severe muscular dystrophy.
Kids with DMD have a shorter life span and usually need a wheelchair.
Some people with BMD live into their 30s or 40s.
BMD is similar to DMD but the symptoms are less severe.
Research on better treatment is helping patients with BMD live longer.
Congenital muscular dystrophies are a collection of disorders that are present at birth along with other genetic disorders.
Muscular dystrophy is not always fatal.
Each key in of muscular dystrophy affects a person’s life expectancy differently.
Some people live a normal life with muscular dystrophy while others will live for a shorter time than average.
These disorders affect the hand andmuscles of the armand the feet and lower legs.
Different types also affect vocal cords in the throat.
They may impact the neck or facial muscles or cause severe gait problems that can lead toscoliosisin young people.
Researchers continue to learn more about the genetic mutations that lead to distal MD disorders.
Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy affects the muscles for movement and the heart muscle.
The heart is the most affected muscle and often develops arrhythmias.
The symptoms of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy show up in adulthood and can include an unusuallyslow heartbeatorfainting.
The treatments for Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy are focused on supporting a person’s heart function.
As with other MD types, there’s hope for promising genetic therapies in the future.
While further study is needed, the prognosis is based on:
FSHD is a complex genetic disorder.
Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Life Expectancy
Limb-girdle muscular dystrophydoes not have a significant effect on life expectancy.
Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy mostly affects themuscles of the hips, pelvis, and shoulders.
The age when symptoms begin can vary.
There are many variants of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.
Some people have symptoms that get worse throughout their life.
Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy affects themuscles that control eye movementand the muscles thathelp with swallowing.
People with OPMD may first notice a drooping eyelid.
They have difficulty swallowing when eating or drinking.
Weakness in the facial muscles is common.
That said, findings from gene research suggest some variants are linked with cardiomyopathy.
Tibial muscular dystrophy affects themuscles in the lower legnear the shins.
Myotonic muscular dystrophy causesmuscle weakness.
Work with your healthcare team to better understand the diagnosis and treatments.
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