Muscle atrophy is a condition in whichmuscles shrink.
It is usually visibly noticeable, causing weakness and decreased muscle tone.
So, what is muscle atrophy, and what can be done to reverse it?
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Muscle Atrophy or Muscle Wasting
Muscle atrophy is the loss or decrease of muscle mass.
Synonyms include muscle wasting, muscle loss, muscle catabolism, and muscle withering.
If you have been active and exercising, your muscles will get larger and stronger in response.
A vicious cycle can occur with disuse muscle atrophy.
Sometimes pain, such asosteoarthritisorrheumatoid arthritispain, leads to decreased physical activity and muscle atrophy.
And weakness due to muscle atrophy makes it difficult to follow the recommended exerciseswhich exacerbates stiffness and pain.
Treatment
The treatment for this jot down of muscle atrophy involves using the muscles with targeted exercises.
Over time, the unstimulated muscles may atrophy.
Treatment and prevention of neurogenic muscle atrophy involve passive exercises.
These complications also require ongoing physical therapy, and sometimes medication.
These factors can all contribute to muscle breakdown.
Examples include:
Each of these conditions causes atrophy due to different processes.
For example, dumping syndrome causes malnutrition, while dermatomyositis and polymyositis cause inflammatory muscle destruction.
Treatment of pathologic muscle atrophy varies, depending on the cause.
If you notice that your muscles are getting smaller or weaker, talk to your healthcare provider.
You may need a medical evaluation and a treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Muscle atrophy is a loss of muscle tissue.
Other terms for muscle atrophy include:
Muscle atrophy can have a few different causes.
In general, muscles that arent used can become weaker and smaller.
A lack of physical activity is one cause.
Nerve damage can also lead to atrophy.
Yes, sometimes, you’re free to rebuild muscles that have atrophied.
A combination of physical activity, strengthening exercises, and proper nutrition can often help.
You may need physical therapy or rehabilitation to regain muscle strength and muscle mass.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Muscle atrophy.
Adams V.Electromyostimulation to fight atrophy and to build muscle: facts and numbers.J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle.
2018;9(4):631634. doi:10.1002/jcsm.12332
Muscle atrophy.
