Muscular Dystrophy in Spanish

What it means

Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of more than 30 genetic diseases that cause weakness of the muscles. Over time, the weakness gets worse and can cause trouble walking and doing daily activities, and some types can also affect other organs. MedlinePlus explains that MD is genetic, meaning that it is caused by a change in one or more genes, and that the gene changes affect proteins that strengthen and protect muscles. It can run in families, or a person can be the first in the family to have it. Among the more common types, Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common childhood form, and Becker muscular dystrophy is similar but less severe. MedlinePlus states that there is no cure; treatment can help with the symptoms and prevent complications.

Spanish term: Distrofia Muscular
Gender and article: feminine: la distrofia muscular
Pronunciation: dees-TROH-fyah moos-koo-LAHR

Other Spanish terms	Where it is used	Note
DM	General	Abbreviation the MedlinePlus en español encyclopedia gives in parentheses after the full name and then uses through the article.

Distrofia muscular is the term MedlinePlus en español uses, and it is feminine: la distrofia muscular. The Spanish dictionary defines distrofia as a pathological state that affects nutrition and growth, marks it as a feminine noun and gives distrofia muscular as an example. The MedlinePlus en español encyclopedia abbreviates the term as DM. The plural appears in the name of one group of types, distrofias musculares congénitas.

Type names keep the same pattern: distrofia muscular de Duchenne, distrofia muscular de Becker and distrofia muscular facioescapulohumeral. Words MedlinePlus en español uses alongside the term include debilidad muscular (muscle weakness), enfermedades genéticas (genetic diseases), terapia física (physical therapy), sillas de ruedas (wheelchairs) and biopsias musculares (muscle biopsies). The MedlinePlus en español encyclopedia lists miopatía hereditaria among the alternative names of its article, and it describes the group as trastornos hereditarios, inherited disorders.

Phrases for an appointment

What a patient or a clinician might say, in English and Spanish:

Who	English	Spanish
Patient	My son falls often and has trouble climbing stairs.	Mi hijo se cae con frecuencia y le cuesta subir escaleras.
Clinician	Does anyone in your family have muscular dystrophy or another muscle disease?	¿Alguien en su familia tiene distrofia muscular u otra enfermedad muscular?
Patient	My uncle had muscular dystrophy and used a wheelchair.	Mi tío tenía distrofia muscular y usaba silla de ruedas.
Clinician	We are going to order blood tests, including a genetic test.	Vamos a pedir análisis de sangre, incluida una prueba genética.
Patient	Which type of muscular dystrophy does the report mention?	¿Qué tipo de distrofia muscular menciona el informe?
Clinician	The report mentions Becker muscular dystrophy.	El informe menciona la distrofia muscular de Becker.
Patient	Will the weakness get worse over time?	¿La debilidad va a empeorar con el tiempo?
Clinician	I am going to give you a referral for physical therapy and occupational therapy.	Voy a darle una remisión para terapia física y terapia ocupacional.

In 9 languages

Language	Term
English	Muscular Dystrophy
Spanish (Español)	Distrofia Muscular
Chinese (中文)	肌肉萎縮症
Korean (한국어)	근이영양증
Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)	Loạn dưỡng cơ
Filipino (Tagalog)	Muscular Dystrophy
Portuguese (Português)	Distrofia Muscular
Thai (ภาษาไทย)	โรคกล้ามเนื้อเสื่อม
Japanese (日本語)	筋ジストロフィー

Where you'll see it

chartEOBreferralmedical record

Related ICD-10-CM category

ICD-10-CM code: G71 → Primary disorders of muscles

Related terms

Your right to an interpreter in the United States

If English is not your primary language and you have difficulty communicating in English, you may need an interpreter or a translated document when you visit a doctor or dentist, go to the emergency room or pick up a prescription. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights states that two federal laws, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, require programs that receive its funding to provide language access services free of charge.

You can ask when you make the appointment or at the front desk: "I need an interpreter, please." «Necesito un intérprete, por favor.»

More terms: Bones, joints and muscles

All terms in this area: Bones, joints and muscles — Huesos, articulaciones y músculos

Sources

This page is a language reference. It is not medical advice.