Myotonic Dystrophy
Quick Facts
Here are a few facts about Myotonic dystrophy you may want to know
- Described as "the most variable of all diseases found in medicine," Myotonic dystrophy is a multi-systemic genetic disorder that is the most common form of adult-onset Muscular Dystrophy.
- Myotonic Dystrophy is known as a multisystem disease. That means that the various types of tissue and organs are affected. Thus, the disease may affect the eyes, heart, and muscles. This is somewhat different than most diseases. Most disease will affect just one system
- Myotonic Dystrophy affects about 1 in 8000 people in the UK.
- There is no known cure at this moment in time. Research is ongoing and some results have been "promising" .
- Age at onset is very variable. Symptoms may appear at any time from birth to later in life.
- There are two types of myotonic dystrophy. Type 1 tends to be more severe and more common in the UK than type 2. I have type 1.
- Myotonic dystrophy is caused by a specific genetic change (mutation) within the DMPK gene on chromosome 19.
- Myotonic dystrophy affects males and females equally.
- 75% of DM patients have excessive sleepiness.
Fatigue is a very common Symptom