What Is Muscular Dystrophy, the Condition Gilbert Gottfried Died From?
With myotonic muscular dystrophy, facial and neck muscles are usually the first to be impacted, the Mayo Clinic says, noting that people with this form of the condition usually have long, thin faces, drooping eyelids, and swanlike necks.Treatment for muscular dystrophy can help manage the condition and some of its symptoms, but it can’t cure it, Dr. Segil says. “For much of muscular dystrophy, there is basically no treatment,” Dr. Souayah says. “The treatments are basically supportive.
That includes things like physical therapy to keep muscles strong, respiratory therapy to maintain lung strength, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and surgery to treat problems associated with the condition, like heart issues or cataracts, the says. Certain medications like glucocorticoids, anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants, and beta blockers can also help with muscle strength and spasms.While it’s possible to die from complications of muscular dystrophy, many people can lead a long and healthy life with the condition, Dr. Elsheikh says. “There is a range in severity,” Dr. Segil says. “Myotonic dystrophies are definitely on the more severe side.