Have you been having trouble doing physical activities like lifting that gas cylinder that comes to your house, carrying those grocery bags up the flight of stairs? There is a chance that you may have developed muscular dystrophy. Albeit there is a very less chance, you may have it.
It is strongly advised to get it checked up!
On an average 1 in 35,000 males are affected by this condition. In this case, you don’t want to be that one!(1)
What is Muscular Dystrophy?
Dystrophin, if you lack this protein in your body.
You will develop muscular dystrophy.
Muscular dystrophy has been classified as a genetic disease, meaning if someone in your family is suffering or did suffer from Duchenne muscular dystrophy your predisposed to have this syndrome.
Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases and it is classified into:
- Limb-Girdle muscular dystrophy
- Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy(DMD)- One of the most common.
- Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) – A less severe type related to Duchenne.
It only occurs in old age. - Congenital Muscular Dystrophy
- Distal Muscular Dystrophy
- Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy – affects muscles of the face and upper body.
- Myotonic muscular dystrophy. Usually causes symptoms in adults rather than children.
- Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy
There are many more different kinds, with different complications and severity. Although they may differ with each of the diseases, they all tend to have similar symptoms.
Symptoms of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)
- Severe Muscular and Joint pains
- Difficulty performing physical activities like running and jogging
- A shortening of muscles and tendons, causing a severe limitation in movement
- Breathing problems
- Cardiac muscles are weakened, causing heart problems
- The curvature of the spine can be severely affected if the supporting and adjoining muscles are not strong enough
- Difficulty with swallowing, with a risk of aspiration pneumonia
Causes, Risk Factors and Everything in between!
Causes of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD):
You may ask why should I know this; this is not that important. An ancient proverb says,
“Knowing is solving half the problem.”
Truer words were never spoken. The human body consists of genes. These genes are the reason each one of us are unique.
From your height, weight to the color of your eyes and what protein is produced in your body to your sex.
Everything is controlled rather expressed by genes. Just like jeans, these are multi-functional!
In your body, there are certain genes that are involved in making proteins that protect the muscles from damage.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy occurs when this gene is defective. Muscles without this gene are literally open to damage, causing them to be weakened and severely torn down.
Risk Factors:
Duchenne muscular dystrophy can affect anyone who has a family history of this gene that is defective.
It is seen in both men and women. However, it affects young adolescent boys.
Around 35% of the time muscular dystrophy occurs due to random spontaneous gene mutations(2).
Yeah, it seems like medical jargon, let’s break it down into simpler terms.
Your genes are prone to mutation, but they don’t happen often and not until they are triggered. Random mutations are much a mystery to you as it is to the scientific community.
Now that we have learned the background information of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Now let’s look at the home remedies that can be used to treat this.
Home Remedies for Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
- Reishi Mushroom
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Green Tea
- Levocarnitine- L- Carnitine
- Turmeric
- Selenium
- Lecithin
- Vitamin E
- Coenzyme Q10
- Creatinine
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Massage Therapy
1. Reishi Mushroom – Ganoderma lucidum
Reishi mushroom is considered to be the ‘king of traditional medicine,’ and it is beneficial in treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This fungus has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which can boost immunity and also improve the strength of the muscles.It can also be used to cure Duchenne muscular dystrophy, as it helps in improving the body movement and the integrity of the muscles.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
It has innumerable medicinal values and has been used extensively to cure a lot of diseases since ages.
It is rich in vitamins and minerals that supply essential nutrients to your body and that helps in the development of muscles.
Apple cider vinegar has acetic acid that is a wonderful anti-inflammatory and pain relieving abilities.
Additionally, it improves circulation and elevates the mood.
In a glass of water, mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and stir in half tablespoon of baking soda. Drink this concoction twice daily after your meal. Apple cider vinegar is a proven natural cure for muscular dystrophy.
[ Read: Apple Cider Vinegar to Soothe Leg Cramps- Uses and Benefits ]
3. Green Tea – A lip-smacking nutrient potion!
This tea has several vitamins and minerals, thanks to the herbs and leaves that make it a very potent cure to tackle Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
It mainly helps in preventing muscle cell death and disintegration.
A study conducted on mice suffering from muscular disintegration reinstated the position of green tea in traditional medicine, not only did the 7 cups a day save their legs from deteriorating. It also helped in building up their legs back again!
It is also very helpful for humans who are suffering from neuromuscular disorders.
[ Read: Shocking!! 20 Side Effects of Green Tea You Must Know! ]
4. Levocarnitine- L- Carnitine
Maybe this might sound or a little hard to pronounce. To simplify it is an amino acid.
Amino acids are the building blocks of your body. They are essential in many ways to build your muscle.
To be more specific, these amino acids are the primary reason why your muscle gets it fatty acids (Yes they are important).
Fatty acids are a primary source of energy to all your muscles.
Deficiency of this amino acid in your body can cause you to have a weakness in the muscles and limiting your movement.
L-carnitine can be supplemented into your diet via pills and help your muscles get stronger!
5. Turmeric – The active Ingredient Curcumin
Turmeric is a well known medicinal plant, in traditional medicine. You may ask how it is useful to you.
It houses an active ingredient called Curcumin, that is well known to eliminate any kind of a pain in the muscles.
Additionally, it also increases the strength of your muscles.
Being a non-toxic substance that is curated from the plants it can be used to alleviate pain in your muscles.You could mix half a tablespoon of turmeric powder in warm milk and have it in the morning every single day, for the best results.
6. Selenium
A crucial element required to keep your muscles healthy, spick and span!
According to a study conducted, it was observed that people suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy showed depreciated levels of selenium.
Why is selenium so important?
The answer to that would be the function of selenium, it halts the progression of the dystrophy and helps in exponentially building up the lost muscle mass.
Additionally, selenium helps the human body to process vitamin E and thus enhancing the antioxidant abilities.
FDA recommends you to consume at least 55micrograms of selenium, after consultation with your physician/health practitioner you could start taking selenium supplements(3).
7. Lecithin – An Essential Fat
Lecithin is a fat that is found in organ meats, red meats and in cooked green vegetables.
Lecithin is known to improve muscular conditions and when combined with Vitamin E provides strength to weakening muscles.
It consists of inositol and phosphatidyl that curb the degeneration of muscle tissue and helps in improving motor skills.
Lecithin supplements are known to wonders on people who have difficulty in walking and movement.
These should be taken after an appointment with your physician.
8. Vitamin E – Tocopherol
You have read about this wonder vitamin all through the article, it was about time that you knew the amazing effects of this drug.
Vitamin E is a rich antioxidant that is used in muscular dystrophy treatment. Additionally, the body falls prey to muscular dystrophy and muscle weakness in absence of it.
This vitamin plays a key role in managing the symptoms of muscular dystrophy.
All this hassle could be saved, by supplementing your diet with vitamin E rich foods, you could also take the vitamin pills as well after consultation with your physcican to find the right amount for you.
[ Read: Natural Ways to Use Vitamin E and Get Healthy Hair ]
9. Coenzyme Q10- Ubiquinone
As the name suggests it is a coenzyme, a part of the enzyme functionally. This is naturally present in the body.
Any alteration in the levels of this coenzyme can lead to many kinds of diseases. It is richly present in soybeans, lentils, and peanuts, also seen in organ meats and red meats.
This coenzyme can be taken as supplements along with a balanced diet. However, it is crucial that you consult with your physician before you take this step.
10. Creatinine – A byproduct of muscles
This is a chemical compound that is formed naturally in the body that is caused by wear and tear of the muscles.
Medically speaking the body does produce a fair amount of this substance however as you might be suffering from muscular dystrophy it means that you can’t move much causing not much creatinine being produced.
Supplementing creatinine in your body through food or pills will cause your muscles to get active and thereby finally helping you cure that dystrophy.
Animal products are generally rich in creatinine, hence consuming them can help you replenish your body!
11. Physical Therapy
They are a lot of clinics that offer decent physical therapy for your body.
They could have you do an array of things ranging from motion exercises to jumping jacks depending on the severity of your condition.
These exercises help your muscles stay healthy and stronger and also help in promoting the growth of your muscles.
12. Speech Therapy
This may effectively not be useful for people suffering from Duchenne muscular dystrophy however people suffering from facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, usually have a lot of speech problems.
This therapy can help improve their facial muscles and speech.
13. Occupational Therapy
It is an assistive learning therapy that helps you get familiar with wheelchairs, braces and any other equipment that you would require.
While you are suffering from muscular dystrophy, this therapy will also help you in relearning muscular movements.
14. Respiratory Therapy
As the muscular dystrophy progresses you have an increased chance that your respiratory system may take a hit.
Respiratory therapy will help you keep your airways intact and help you breathe better.
[ Read: How to Treat a Respiratory Infection Using Natural Remedies? ]
15. Massage Therapy
Who doesn’t love a proper massage? According to studies, massage is a well known technique proven to increase blood flow to all the parts of the body.
It relieves symptoms of neuromuscular diseases.
Albeit it may not completely cure your dystrophy however it may help you alleviate the pain and ease your symptoms.
16. Essential Oils
These magical oils can reduce inflammation, pain and other symptoms related to dystrophy.
It also halts degeneration of muscle tissue, cartilage, tendons. You may use peppermint, frankincense, ginger, turmeric and myrrh oils.
These oils can be applied topically on the site of affliction, not only do they have these benefits.
They also naturally lower depression, anxiety, fatigue, and indigestion.
You can use a diffuser and pour in a 2ml of the oil and let it diffuse overnight while you sleep.
Proper Diet and Remedies will do the trick!
There is no cure available yet for ducheene muscular dystrophy. However these natural remedies, a proper balanced diet, an ample supply of supplements and medications with regular consulation with your physician can help you alleviate your symptoms and will help you cure.
