Becker Muscular Dystrophy

Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is an inherited disorder that involves slowly worsening muscle weakness of the legs and pelvis.

Clinical Manifestations:-

Muscle weakness, slowly progressive (Difficulty running, hopping, jumping; Progressive difficulty walking)

Toe-walking (walking on toes)

Use of Gower`s Maneuver or a modified form of Gower`s Maneuver to get up from floor.

Ability to walk may continue well into adulthood.

Frequent falls

Difficulty breathing

Non progressive cognitive dysfunction only in rare cases: not as common as in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy because the brain only needs small amounts of dystrophin.

Skeletal deformities, chest and back (scoliosis)

Muscle deformities (contractions of heels, legs; Pseudohypertrophy of calf muscles)

Fatigue

Heart disease

Elevated CPK (creatine phosphokinase) levels in blood: Elevated CK levels are more common at younger ages and decreases later in life, perhaps due to the fact that muscle degeneration occurs more rapidly at younger ages, when there is also more muscle mass to deteriorate.

Tests:-

Creatine kinase (CPK) levels may be elevated.

An electromyography (EMG) shows that weakness is caused by destruction of muscle tissue rather than by damage to nerves. Genetic testing

A muscle biopsy (immunohistochemistry or immunoblotting) or Genetic test (blood test) confirms the diagnosis.

Treatment:-

Homoeopathic medicine is showing promising vectors that may replace damaged muscle tissue. Treatment is generally aimed at controlling the onset of symptoms to maximize the quality of life, prevent further deterioration leading to gradual improvement in health status of patients.

One can notice symptomatic improvement within 3-4 months of treatment. Duration of treatment varies with the severity of disease. We have over 6000 patients of all types of muscular dystrophy from all over the world. We have documented up to 80% improvement in our patients.