Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week 2023

Every year, from February 13 to 19, the United States observes Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week. This week is dedicated to raising awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a severe form of the disease caused by a genetic defect. People with the disorder undergo the weakening of their skeletal muscles, which eventually break down, leaving them unable to stand or move. Despite being the most common type of muscular dystrophy, the general population is unaware of the disease's prevalence and its therapies. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Knowledge Week was established to address this lack of awareness and to provide support to those affected by the condition.

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Objective of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week is commemorated throughout the country to promote awareness of this rare genetic disease, which is one of the most common types of muscular dystrophy.

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What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?

Muscular dystrophies are a subset of uncommon hereditary diseases affecting the neuromuscular system. Individuals suffering from these illnesses undergo gradual muscle weakening and eventual disintegration. Mutations in the genes that make muscle proteins cause these illnesses. They can be inherited from the parents or develop throughout the child's developmental stage as a fetus. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by a mutation in the gene encoding the protein dystrophin, and the disorder is called after the patient.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy causes muscles to deteriorate and die, only to be replaced by connective tissues and fat. It usually starts in the muscles of the legs, pelvis, and calves and progresses to the shoulders, neck, and arms.

This disease primarily affects men and manifests itself at a young age. Around the age of five, symptoms such as difficulty rising from a prone position and trouble walking become apparent. The condition proceeds rapidly, and by the age of 21, patients are effectively paralyzed from the neck down. In rare circumstances, there are non-musculoskeletal indications of this condition, in which case the neurological system is the most affected.

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How to Observe Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week?

Spread awareness

The most important thing to accomplish this week is to promote awareness of the disease. Encourage people to have their children checked, and spread the word about viable therapies.

Contribute to a fundraising

Funding is required to continue critical research in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and other muscular dystrophies. Donate to the research to help determine the causes of the ailments and remedies!

Help someone who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Help someone in need if you know them or their care givers. Make them a meal or do some yard work for them so they may have a more relaxing week.

Top 5 Facts About Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, like many hereditary diseases, has no cure; possible therapies include physical therapy, surgery, assisted ventilation, and gene therapy.

It has the potential to reduce life expectancy. The typical life expectancy for someone with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is 26, yet with proper treatment, individuals can live into their 30s or 40s.

The disease is rare among girls. The condition is so uncommon in girls that it occurs in just approximately one in every 50,000,000 female births.

Women are carriers of the gene. Because the illness is X-linked recessive, the mother is the carrier of the mutation in cases where the disorder is inherited from both parents.

Gene therapy could be beneficial. Some studies have found that gene therapy enhances muscle strength in youngsters, but no long-term effects have been determined.

Importance of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week

Sympathizing with individuals who are in pain

A hereditary condition that kills muscles sounds terrifying. We sympathize with those who are suffering, and we want to ensure that more people are aware of the condition and its therapies.

We wish to assist

There isn't much we can do unless we conduct firsthand research on the illness. However, we want to assist in any manner we can, from raising awareness and donations to assisting our neighbors.

We wish to help with research

We believe that spreading awareness is an excellent method to assist researchers. Research helps people with hereditary diseases by discovering therapies, and we hope that one day they will find a cure.

Source-Medindia