What are the symptoms of muscular dystrophy?
Jul 25, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Jun
Introduction
1. Muscle weakness: One of the earliest and most prominent symptoms is muscle weakness, which often results in difficulty holding or gripping objects securely.
2. Reduced muscle volume: This commonly manifests as thinning of the limbs; atrophy of the deltoid muscles leads to “square shoulders,” while hand muscle atrophy causes thinning of the palms.
3. Weight loss: Significant reduction in muscle mass often leads to noticeable weight loss.
Muscle atrophy manifests with various adverse symptoms. For instance, calf muscle atrophy primarily causes difficulty rising from a squatting position or standing upright. Atrophy of small, fine muscles impairs fine motor skills; for example, atrophy of the interosseous muscles in the hand may lead to handwriting difficulties. When muscle volume decreases significantly, marked weight loss often occurs. So, what are the symptoms of muscle atrophy? The following section addresses this question.
What Are the Symptoms of Muscle Atrophy?
1. Muscle Weakness
A prominent early symptom of muscle atrophy is muscle weakness, which often results in an inability to securely hold objects. When attempting to grasp items, hands may tremble persistently—a hallmark early sign of muscle atrophy. Many individuals mistakenly attribute such weakness to transient fatigue and dismiss it as insignificant; therefore, careful observation and appropriate care are essential.
2. Reduced Muscle Volume
This commonly presents as thinning of the limbs; deltoid muscle atrophy leads to “square shoulders”; and atrophy of hand muscles results in thinner, flatter palms with prominent underlying bone contours. Calf muscle atrophy mainly causes difficulty squatting and standing. Atrophy of small, fine muscles initially impairs fine motor coordination—for example, interosseous muscle atrophy in the hand may cause handwriting difficulties. Facial and cranial muscle atrophy typically presents as weakened mastication, dysphagia with choking or coughing, and reduced tongue protrusion strength.
3. Weight Loss
Significant reduction in muscle volume often leads to noticeable weight loss. Additionally, early-stage muscle atrophy may also involve delayed muscle response—meaning muscles react more slowly than before, resulting in sluggish movement. This warrants special attention. Other possible accompanying symptoms include limb pain and numbness.
The above outlines the key symptoms associated with muscle atrophy. We hope this information proves helpful to you.
