Muscular Dystropy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Muscular Dystropy - Essay Example symptoms vary according to the type of muscular dystrophy; but, generally, the symptoms may include muscle weakness; loss of coordination; and progressive crippling that result in fixations of the muscles around the joints and mobility loss (ibid.) There are many types of muscular dystrophy. Dystrophinopathies are due to a genetic defect of the protein dystrophin. Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy , which is the most severe , occurs mostly in young boys and is the most common form that affects children. There is no cure for any form of muscular dystrophy. Treatment attempts to reduce deformities in the joints and the spine to retain mobility for as long as possible. â€Å"Treatments may include various types of physical therapy, medications, assistive devices, and surgery† (ibid.). Because respiratory problems may occur in the later stages, it is important that patients be vaccinated for pneumonia and be current with flu shots. According to Nursing Care Plan (2011), there is currently no cure for MD so therapeutic management is focused on managing the symptoms and maintaining the highest level of functional independence possible. Patients with MD are managed by a multidisciplinary team because of their complex needs. Nursing interventions are primarily preventive and