Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of genetic diseases that cause your muscles to progressively weaken and degenerate. There are several types of MD, each with its own symptoms, but they all involve muscle weakness that can result in frequent falls or clumsiness, difficulty walking, and impaired breathing and swallowing. MD is incurable, but there are options for treatment. Lifestyle factors, such as physical therapy and adaptive equipment, play a crucial role in maintaining mobility and independence for people with MD.
What Is Muscular Dystrophy? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and MoreMedically Reviewed by Anna C.E. Hurst, MD, MS, FACMG | March 19, 2023
FAQ
What are the different types of muscular dystrophy?
There are over 30 types of MD. Duchenne, Becker, myotonic, facioscapulohumeral, limb-girdle, congenital, distal, oculopharyngeal, and Emery-Dreifuss are all types of MD.
What are the symptoms of muscular dystrophy?
Muscle weakness, delayed motor skills, frequent falls, and difficulty walking all are symptoms of MD. Specific symptoms, age at diagnosis, severity, and rate of disease progression vary, depending on the type and affected muscles.
What causes muscular dystrophy?
MD is caused by genetic mutations that interfere with the production of proteins needed for muscle health. Many of these genetic mutations are inherited, but some appear sporadically, without prior family history.
How is muscular dystrophy diagnosed?
Genetic testing, muscle biopsy, and electromyography are a few of the tests that are used to diagnose MD.
What are the treatment options for muscular dystrophy?
Some types of MD are more debilitating than others, and some can affect lifespan. Physical therapy and supportive care are important for managing symptoms. Drug therapy may be used to slow muscle degeneration, and gene therapies are available for some types of MD.
Everyday Health’s team of board-certified physicians and health professionals contribute to the creation and review of content, ensuring that the information is useful, up to date, and accurate.
Joy Tanaka, PhD
Medical Reviewer
Joy Tanaka, PhD, specializes in clinical molecular genetics. She is dedicated to integrating excellent clinical care with cutting-edge medical research for patients with rare and u...
Anna C. E. Hurst, MD, is a medical geneticist with board certification in clinical genetics and pediatrics. She is an associate professor in the department of genetics at Universit...
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
SCIg for Primary Immunodeficiency: Troubleshooting Swelling, Redness, and Pain at the Infusion SiteMedically Reviewed by Asal Naderi, MD | February 2, 2026
IVIg to SCIg: Considerations When Switching Immunoglobulin Therapies for Primary ImmunodeficiencyMedically Reviewed by Jon E. Stahlman, MD | January 16, 2026
