Definition:
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy is also commonly known by another medical term as Landouzy-Dejerine. This is categorized as an autosomal dominant type of muscular dystrophy that primarily affects the patient’s skeletal muscles of the scapula, face and upper arms. It is categorized as one of the most common genetic disorder that affects the skeletal muscle. The symptoms gradually develop and can become increasingly evident during the teenage years.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis involves genetic testing to measure the size of D4Z4 deletion. However, this type of test can be very expensive. Other alternative testing include electromyogram, creatine kinase, muscle biopsy as well as nerve conduction velocity.
Treatment:
There are currently no existing approved therapies to treat facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Occupational therapies are believed to considerably help patients cope with the said disease.
Symptoms and Signs:
Common indicators for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy include depressed and often angry expression, hearing loss, abnormal heart rhythm, shoulder weakness, loss of abdominal strength, unequal weakening of the triceps, deltoids, biceps, as well as foot drop.
Causes:
About 95% of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy can be associated to the deletion of the important copies of the 3.2kb unit of the human genome. Disease usually occurs due to the translocation of the chromosomes.
The information on this site is for research purposes only and can not substitute for the advice of a medical professional. Ailments.com is not run by doctors and does not engage in the practice of medicine. Our site is not a medical authority, it is just a research tool for you to use in preparation for consulting with a doctor. We can not guarantee our information is accurate or up to date. Even if a statement made about a medical condition is accurate, it may not apply to you or your symptoms, so you should always consult a doctor. Nothing on our site should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion or otherwise engage in the practice of medicine.
