Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. Mutations in the genes interfere with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscles. For most people with the common type of muscular dystrophy, the symptoms show up in childhood. This common type of muscular dystrophy is called myotonic dystrophy, also known as Steinert's disease and abbreviated as MMD. In rare cases, it can appear in newborn infants. Early symptoms of myotonic dystrophy are more behavioral than physical. For example, the have problems planning ahead, making decisions, and processing visual-spacial dimensions. For adults, symptoms include breathing and swelling abnormalities, cataracts, weakness in the head and neck area, heart difficulties, insulin resistance, weakened internal organs, hand muscle weakness, and myotonia (problems relaxing grip, causes pain). These symptoms get worse when the weather is cold. There is currently no cure for myotonic dystrophy, there are only cures to alleviate the symptoms.
References:
Signs and Symptoms | Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy | MDA
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