Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that lead to muscle mass and progressive muscle and body weakness. The abnormal or mutated genes interfere with producing healthy proteins that make up the muscle. There is no permanent cure for muscular dystrophy, but there are treatment options that help in managing the symptoms and also help in slowing down the spreading of the disease. Here are the types and symptoms to be aware of. Types and symptoms Depending on the type of muscular dystrophy, the symptoms can vary. However, progressive muscle weakness is one of the disease’s most common and most significant indicators. Duchenne-type muscular dystrophy It is the most common type of muscular dystrophy and is usually much more common in boys than girls. Some of the symptoms of this type include: Frequent falls Trouble jumping and running Learning disabilities Waddling gait Difficulty in rising from a sitting or lying position Walking on toes Large calf muscles Muscle pain and stiffness Delayed growth Becker muscular dystrophy Becker muscular dystrophy This form has signs and symptoms similar to Duchenne’s. However, the signs and symptoms are milder, and the disease tends to progress more slowly than in Duchenne. While the symptoms may start in early teens, they are not visible until mid-twenties or even later in some cases.