Group of Inherited Muscle Diseases - Essay Example

”Muscular Dystrophy (MD) is a group of inherited muscle diseases in which muscle fibers are unusually susceptible to damage. Muscles, primarily voluntary ones, become progressively weaker.” Fat and connective tissue often replace muscle fibers in the late stages of MD.    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.  “Treatments may include various types of physical therapy, medications, assistive devices, and surgery” (ibid.).  Because respiratory problems may occur in the later stages, patients must 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 supportive. Read More