Muscular Atrophy – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments
Muscular Atrophy – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments of this condition. In addition, Muscular Atrophy is an expression used to refer to the decrease in muscle (muscle mass) and, consequently, its strength. There are two types of Muscular Atrophy . Disuse atrophy occurs with lack of physical activity. In most people, Muscular Atrophy is caused by not using enough muscles.
People with jobs where they must sit, people with medical conditions that limit their movement, or reduced activity levels can lose muscle and develop atrophy. This type of atrophy can be reversed with exercise and better nutrition. Bedridden people can experience significant muscle loss. Astronauts who are far from Earth’s gravity can develop decreased muscle after just a few days in zero gravity, which is why they constantly have to exercise.
The most serious type of Muscular Atrophy is neurogenic atrophy. It occurs when there is an injury or disease to a nerve that connects to the muscle. This type of Muscular Atrophy tends to occur “suddenly”, unlike disuse atrophy. Examples of diseases that affect the nerves that control muscles are:
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- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease ;
- Guillain-Barré syndrome;
- Neuropathy ;
- Polio (poliomyelitis).
Although people can adapt to Muscular Atrophy , even to a lesser degree it usually causes some loss of movement or strength.
Causes of Muscle Atrophy: Unused muscles can lose if you are not active. Even after onset, this type of atrophy can be reversed with exercise andimproved nutrition . Muscle atrophy can also happen if you are bedridden or unable to move certain parts of your body due to a medical condition.
Other causes of Muscular Atrophy include:
- Lack of physical activity for a long period of time
- aging
- Alcohol-associated myopathy, a pain and weakness in the muscles due to excessive drinking over long periods of time
- Burn
- Injuries, such as a torn rotator cuff or broken bones
- malnutrition
- Spinal cord or peripheral nerve injuries
- Brain stroke
- Long-term corticosteroid therapy
Symptoms of Muscular Atrophy: You may have Muscular Atrophy if:
- One of your arms or legs is noticeably shorter than the other.
- You are experiencing a marked weakness in a limb.
- You were physically inactive a long time ago.
Contact your doctor for a complete medical exam if you believe you may have Muscular Atrophy or if you are unable to move normally. You may have an undiagnosed condition that requires treatment. Your doctor will be able to provide you with diet and exercise options.
Muscle Atrophy Treatments: Treatment will depend on the diagnosis and the severity of muscle loss . Any underlying medical condition must be addressed. Common treatments for Muscular Atrophy include:
- exercise
- Physiotherapy
- ultrasound therapy
- surgery
- Diet changes
Recommended exercises may include water exercises to facilitate movement. Physiotherapists can also teach you the correct forms of exercise. A physical therapist can move your arms and legs for you if you have trouble moving. Ultrasound therapy is a non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves to aid healing. Also, surgery may be necessary if your tendons, ligaments, skin, or muscles are too tight and preventing you from moving. This condition is called opposite deformity.
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Surgery can correct the contracture deformity if your Muscle Atrophy is due to malnutrition . And a torn tendon can cause Muscular Atrophy , but surgery can also correct it. Your doctor will advise you on proper nutrition and suggest suitable dietary supplements if necessary.