Muscular Dystrophy
Description
Muscular dystrophy is any form of congenital disorder characterized by progressive, symmetrical skeletal muscle atrophy without concurrent neural or sensory defects. This muscular wasting appears to involve all muscles in a random fashion. Paradoxically, the wasted muscle may enlarge due to connective tissue and fat deposits, giving a false appearance of muscle strength; this is known as pseudohypertrophy. Pneumonia may develop as a result of weakened diaphragm muscles and is usually the ultimate cause of death. The four major types of muscular dystrophy are: pseudohypertrophic (Duchenne's Disease), fascioscapulohumeral (landouzy-dejerine), limb-gridle (juvenile, erb), and mixed.
Pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy accounts for 50% of all cases and usually affects male children between the ages of three and five. This particular disorder is due to an inherited recessive sex-linked genetic defect and affects approximately four per one million males. Scoliosis is a common complication and death may result within 10 to 15 years after onset.
Fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is slowly progressive and relatively benign. It does not normally shorten life expectancy and is thus considered one of the milder forms. Fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy usually develops before age 10.
Limb-gridle muscular dystrophy follows a slow course and is often only slightly disabling. Onset is normally between the ages of 6 to 10, but may also occur in early adulthood.
Mixed muscular dystrophy causes rapid progressive deterioration. The onset of this form is usually between the ages of 30 and 50. Death is probable within five years.
At present there is no cure nor treatment to stop the muscular impairment associated with muscular dystrophy. However, orthopedic appliances, exercise, physical therapy, a weight control diet, and surgery to correct the contracture can help preserve the muscles and the individual's independence. Family counseling, comprehensive long-term care, and follow-up individual and family teaching are also advised.
Causes
Primary Factors
Pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy
X-linked recessive genetic disorder
Fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
Autosomal dominant genetic disorder
Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy
Autosomal recessive genetic disorder
Mixed muscular dystrophy
Does not appear to be inherited
Predisposing Factors
Structurally abnormal proteins
Abnormalities in muscle-fiber intracellular metabolism
Enzyme deficiency of dysfunction
Inability to synthesize, absorb, or metabolize some unknown substance vital to muscle function
Vitamin E deficiency (this hypothesis is still under scientific research)
Vascular functional ischemia of muscle
Altered motor neurons
Signs & Symptoms
Muscular dystrophy in any form will affect voluntary muscles. Therefore, muscle weakness is a ubiquitous symptom.
Pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy
Initial effects are found in the leg and pelvic muscles, then spreads to involuntary muscles
Waddling gait
Enlargement of calf or other muscles
Toe walking
Gower's sign
Difficulty rising of any sort
Lordosis
Difficulty climbing stairs
Frequent falling
Improper running, due to inability to raise knee
Scapulae flare when the arms are raised
Fascioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
Weakening of face, shoulder, and upper arm muscles
Difficulty closing eyes
Pendulous lower lip
Absence of nasolabial fold
Inability to pucker the mouth or to whistle
Abnormal facial movements when laughing or crying
Diffuse facial flattening which leads to mask-like expression
Winging of scapulae
Inability to raise arms above head
Inability to suckle (in infants)
Limb-gridle muscular dystrophy
Weak muscles, first of the upper arm and then in the pelvic girdle
Winging of scapulae
Lordosis with abdominal protrusion
Waddling gait
Poor balance
Inability to raise arms
Mixed muscular dystrophy
Affects of voluntary muscles and shows any of the aforementioned signs
Nutritional Supplements
Structure & Function:
Enzymes &
Amino Acids
---------------------------------
General Supplements
---------------------------------
| Adult | Child/Adolescent | ||
| Carnitine | 100 - 500 mg | 100 - 500 mg | |
| Taurine | 500 - 1,000 mg | 500 - 1,000 mg | |
| Vitamin E | 100 - 200 IU | 100 - 200 IU |
Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.
Dietary Considerations
A muscular illness referred to as "nutritional muscular dystrophy" has been observed in mice fed a diet deficient in vitamin E. Muscular paralysis was also produced by feeding mice diets deficient in selenium and/or sulfur amino acids. This condition occurred despite the availability of dietary vitamin E. Presumably, the absence of selenium and/or the sulfur amino acids prevented the utilization of the vitamin. The use of vitamin E or selenium does not alter the course of human muscular dystrophy in any way. Muscular dystrophy in humans is hereditary and not caused by a dietary insufficiency.
Although there is no nutritionally-based preventative measure, dietary management is warranted. The inactivity resulting from muscle wastage predisposes the individual to develop constipation and obesity. The Weight Reduction Diet, Protein Enriched Diet, and High Fiber Diet are recommended to prevent obesity, muscle wastage from lack of dietary protein, and constipation. Increased fluid intake, and ingesting prunes, prune juice, figs and dates, are suggested for softening the stool.
Homeopathic Remedy
1. Argentum nitricum tinct. - 30C long term
2. Strychnine tinct.- 15C long term
3. Stramonium - 15C long term
4. Agaricus muscarius - 30C
Treatment Schedule
Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.
Legend
X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency
Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.
References
Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.
Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.
Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.
Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.
Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.
Herbal Approaches
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Herbs
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Cayenne
Ginger
Ginkgo biloba
Ginseng
Hawthorn berry
Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.
Discussion:
Circulation may be helped by Cayenne, Ginger and Hawthorn berry; muscle weakness may benefit from Ginkgo biloba and tonic herbs, notably Ginseng, may provide additional benefits.
Aromatherapy - Essential Oils
| Basil Essence, | Birch Essence, |
| Cypress Essence, | Ginger Essence, |
| Lavender Essence, | Marjoram Essence, |
| Nutmeg Essence. |
Related Health Conditions
Pulmonary disorders
References
Beeson, P.B. & W. Mc Dermott. eds. 1975. Textbook Of Medicine. 14th ed. Saunders Pub. Co., Philadelphia. 1892 pp.
Bland, Jeffrey. Nutraerobics. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.
Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.
Chasroff, I.J. & J.W. Ellis. 1983. Family Medical Guide. William Morrow and Company Inc., Pub. 594 pp.
Cox GF & Kunkel LM: Dystrophies and heart disease. Curr Opin Cardiol, 1997 May, 12:3, 329-43.
Degl'Innocenti D et al., Alteration of free calcium levels and acylphosphatase muscular isoenzyme in cultured dystrophic skin fibroblasts. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1997 Jan 13, 230:2, 327-30.
Edwards, R.H. & M.J. Jackson. Approach to Treatment Trials in Muscular Dystrophy with Reference to Agents Affecting Free Radical Damage. Medical Biology, 62. 1984.
Engvall M & Birkhed D: Oral sugar clearance and other caries-related factors in patients with myotonic dystrophy. Acta Odontol Scand, 1997 Apr, 55:2, 111-5.
Foster LH & Sumar S: Selenium in health and disease: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 1997 Apr, 37:3, 211-28.
Hamilton, H.K. ed. 1982. Professional Guide To Diseases Intermed Communications Inc. Pub, Springfield, Massachusetts. 1323 pp.
Heinerman, John. 1982. Herbal Dynamics. Root of Life, Inc.: Publ.
Horwitt, M.K. 1980. The Vitamins: Vitamin E. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. R.S. Goodhart and M.E. Shils, eds. Lea and Febiger, Phila.
Howe, P. S. 1981. Basic Nutrition in Health and Disease, 7th ed. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia.
Jones KJ & North KN: Recent advances in diagnosis of the childhood muscular dystrophies. J Paediatr Child Health, 1997 Jun, 33:3, 195-201.
Kehrer, J. P. & Murphy, M. E.: Free Radicals and Muscular Dystrophy. Free Radical Mechanisms of Tissue Injury, CRC Press, 1992:chapter 10;190-200.
Kirschmann, J.D. 1990. Nutrition Almanac: Nutrition Search. McGrew-Hill: New York.
Lin, C.T. & L.H. Chen. Ultrastructural Changes in Skeletal Muscle with Long-Term Vitamin E Deficiency. Pathology, 14. 1982.
Manyam, N.V. & M.H. Grossman. Levels of Gaba in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Various Neurologic Disorders. Archives Of Neurology, 37. 1980.
Pearson AM & Young RB: Diseases and disorders of muscle. Adv Food Nutr Res, 1993, 37:, 339-423.
Subak-Sharpe, G.J. 1984. The Physician's Manual For Patients. Times Books Pub, New York. 607 pp.
Voirin, J. et al: Vitamin and Trace Element Status in Children With Progressive Muscular Dystrophy. Trace Elements in Medicine, 1989;6(4):165-168.
Willig TN et al., Nutritional assessment in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dev Med Child Neurol, 1993 Dec, 35:12, 1074-82.
Witting, L.A. & M.K. Horwitt. 1964. Effect of degree of fatty acid unsaturation in tocopherol deficiency induced creatinuria. Nutri, 82.
Witting, L.A. & M.K. Horwitt. 1964. Effects of dietary selenium, methionine, fat level and tocopherol on rat growth. J of Nutri, 84.
Wyngaarden, J.B. & L.H. Smith. 1985. Cecil's Textbook of Medicine. Saunders Pub Co., Philadelphia. 2341 pp.
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