DUCHENE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

Duchene Muscular Dystrophy in Adolescents

Duchene Muscular Dystrophy in Adolescents

Introduction

Duchene Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a disorder in the genes that damages and weakens the muscles of the body. This disorder is caused by the incomplete or inadequate information of the genetics of the body and avoids the body from producing the proteins that are required to build the healthy muscles and to maintain them. When they lack this protein, muscle cells weaken and degenerate gradually. DMD is a disease that usually affects boys (it is very rare in girls). It is one of the most common childhood neuromuscular disorders and causes a lot of problems to the children in their childhood. Following is some information about the disorder (Wagner, 2007, pp. 229).

Duchene muscular dystrophy begins in the first three years of life with the usual weakness of the muscles of the pelvic girdle.

For the first year of life, children affected by this disorder are lagging behind in psychomotor development. Sick children begin to sit late, are unable to get up and walk.

They gradually develop weakness, abnormal muscle fatigue during exercise, changes in gait according to the type of duck. From the horizontal to the children stand up in stages with the use of hands.

There are symmetrical atrophy of proximal muscle groups of the lower extremities (muscles of the pelvis and hips). Atrophy between 1-3 years apply to the proximal muscle groups of the upper extremities.

Muscle atrophy leads to the development of lordosis, wing-blades, wasp waist.

Muscle palpation is dense.

Muscle tone is usually reduced in the proximal muscle groups.

Discussion

Deterioration of the Patient's Condition

The patient in this case is Benjamin who is 14 years old. He is suffering from this disorder and has reached a very severe stage. It has affected his mobility and he is unable to walk properly now. Considering the explanation McDonald (2005), it can be said that his condition is deteriorating day by day which is also evident from the fact that he has admitted to the hospital three times. This shows that how bad his condition is getting and that he needs proper care and treatment. His condition is also deteriorating as he is facing problems in keeping his self esteem intact, if not high. He is unable to gather confidence after his disorder and is finding problems in doing so (Stone, Et.al, 2007, pp. 25). He is the one who does not want to go to school because he is finding problems in accepting his current condition and live with it. Whereas, according to Vuillerot (2009), it is said that in this age, these problems are common as children very easily lose their confidence and self esteem. At this age, the self esteem of children is fragile and they find it difficult to keep it intact due to various reasons. Here the role of the family and the nurse is very important. Being a child, Benjamin needs a lot of support from the hospital staff and the family. They are the ones who can make him feel ...