DMD refers to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a hereditary muscular dystrophy, which is the most common X-linked recessive myopathy in China.
The causative gene for DMD exists on the X sex chromosome. Males are predominantly affected because they have only one X sex chromosome, while females who carry the gene on one of the pair of X sex chromosomes will become carriers of DMD.
The clinical manifestations of DMD include unsteady gait, easy to fall, difficulty in mobility, easy fatigue, and in a small number of patients, mild intellectual disability, bone or muscle developmental abnormalities, etc. In advanced stages, all smooth muscles are involved. In advanced stages, it will involve all smooth muscles and even heart and respiratory muscles, and patients often die due to respiratory failure or heart failure.
There is no good treatment for DMD, and the symptoms can be relieved mainly by using medications such as ATP, inosine, and vitamin E, supplemented by Chinese herbs and acupuncture under the supervision of a doctor. Genetic counseling, prenatal testing and other measures can usually be taken to prevent this disease.