I do not have a story to start today's post with, actually, the post was inspired by an inquisitive mind when I was doing some health-based research. You probably have heard about this condition before, and in case you haven't, then welcome to learn from this little writer who loves to do research, wait, even if you know about it, who says you can learn something new from here, so please keep reading.
Muscle atrophy leads to a decrease in muscle mass and strength, when it affects a person, the muscle appears smaller than normal and it is due to the loss or thinning of muscle mass. It can happen as a result of age advancement, genes, some medical conditions, malnutrition, and the absence of physical activities.
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There are three types of muscle atrophy; pathologic, physiologic, and neurogenic. Physiologic atrophy is caused by the failure not to use the muscles sufficiently, this type could be reversed with better nutrition and exercise.
People who are mostly affected are people with; health issues, jobs that require sitting for a very long time, limited physical activities, and those who are unable to move their limbs due to stroke and other brain diseases.
Pathologic atrophy is associated with starvation, aging, and the presence of diseases like Cushing disease.
Neurogenic atrophy happens to be the most serious type of muscle atrophy, and although people can adapt to muscle atrophy, even a minor case of muscle atrophy would lead to the loss of strength or movement.
Other causes of muscle atrophy include; malnutrition, burn, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, muscular dystrophy, and other muscle diseases.
The symptoms of muscle atrophy vary based on the cause of your condition. The most clear sign of muscle atrophy is reduced muscle mass, and other signs are;
- Weakness in one arm or one leg.
- Weak face.
- Gradual memory loss.
- Difficulty with speaking or swallowing.
- Difficulty walking or getting balanced.
- One arm or leg is smaller than the other.
When muscle atrophy affects the limb, it creates a tingling feeling, as well as numbness and weakness in the arms and legs. If you experience atrophied muscle in your throat or face, then your facial muscles may feel weak and the affected person may find it difficult to either swallow or speak.
The time it takes for muscles to get into atrophy depends on; age, level of fitness, and the type of atrophy. If your muscle atrophy is a result of physiologic, the process can begin within 2-3 weeks of not using the muscle. Neurogenic muscle atrophy may develop more soon depending on the condition of your health.
The treatment for muscle atrophy varies based on the degree of muscle loss and the presence or absence of underlying medical conditions. In the case of the presence of an underlying medical condition, it should be treated first to slow down muscle progression. Available treatment options include;
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy involves performing some form of stretches and exercises, and the aim is to prevent immobility. Physical therapy offers improved circulation, reduced spasticity, increase in muscle strength.
**Focused ultrasound therapy: This procedure delivers a beam of ultrasound energy to certain specific areas in the body.
**Functional Electric Stimulation: This treatment is another effective treatment for muscle atrophy, it has to do with electrical impulses to stimulate muscle contraction in the affected muscle.
Surgery: Surgical procedures will help to improve muscle functions in individuals whose muscle atrophy is related to neurological conditions, malnutrition, and injuries.
Summary.
Muscle atrophy also known as muscle wasting has to do with the shortening of the muscle fiber and a loss of total muscle mass. Factors like; age, genes, malnutrition, and neurological conditions could trigger the occurrence of muscle atrophy. The treatment of this condition is dependent on the cause of the issue and on individual cases.
References
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325316#summary
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/muscle-atrophy
https://www.healthline.com/health/muscle-atrophy#takeaway
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22310-muscle-atrophy
Hi, I am Tobi, a writer, speaker, relationship blogger, and lover of good music. I love making friends and learning from people. If you want to hear me speak on relationships and general life issues, you can find my YouTube channel where you can watch any episode for free, please do not forget to subscribe, friends. I sincerely appreciate every love I get from here, Kindly do well to keep them coming.
