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Muscle atrophy is the thinning or loss of muscle tissue, which can cause a decrease in muscle mass and strength. The main cause of muscle atrophy is a lack of physical activity, but it can also be caused by malnutrition, age, genetics, or certain medical conditions. Symptoms of muscle atrophy include reduced muscle mass, weakness in the arms or legs, numbness or tingling in the limbs, trouble balancing, and difficulty swallowing or speaking. Treatment for muscle atrophy depends on the type and severity of the condition, but common treatments include physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, and in some cases, surgery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Wasting or loss of muscle tissue |
| Loss of Muscle Mass | 20-40% |
| Muscle Appearance | Smaller than normal |
| Muscle Strength | Decrease |
| Types | Physiologic, Pathologic, Neurogenic |
| Physiologic Atrophy Causes | Sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, lack of exercise, desk job, old age, genetic disorders |
| Pathologic Atrophy Causes | Aging, starvation, diseases (e.g., Cushing's disease) |
| Neurogenic Atrophy Causes | Nerve problems or diseases, nerve injuries |
| Symptoms | Reduced muscle mass, weakness, numbness, tingling, trouble walking or balancing, difficulty swallowing or speaking, facial weakness, gradual memory loss |
| Treatments | Exercise, nutrition, physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, surgery, electrical stimulation |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle atrophy symptoms
Muscle atrophy is the loss or thinning of muscle tissue, resulting in a decrease in muscle mass and strength. The symptoms of muscle atrophy vary depending on the cause and severity of the muscle loss. The most obvious sign of muscle atrophy is reduced muscle mass. This may be noticeable in the arms or legs, with one limb appearing smaller than the other.
Other symptoms of muscle atrophy may include weakness, numbness, or tingling in the arms and legs. People with muscle atrophy may also experience trouble walking or balancing, difficulty swallowing or speaking, and facial weakness. In some cases, muscle atrophy can be accompanied by pain, swelling, or other types of neuromuscular or skin symptoms.
Muscle atrophy can occur due to various factors, including malnutrition, age, genetics, lack of physical activity, or certain medical conditions. Disuse (physiologic) atrophy happens when muscles are not used enough, which can be due to a sedentary lifestyle, immobility during illness or injury recovery, or certain medical conditions that limit mobility, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Neurogenic atrophy, on the other hand, is caused by nerve problems or diseases that affect the nerves connected to the muscles, such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
If you suspect you have muscle atrophy, it is important to seek medical advice. A healthcare provider can perform a physical examination, assess your medical history, and recommend appropriate treatments, which may include exercise programs, physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, or, in some cases, surgery.
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Muscle atrophy causes
Muscle atrophy refers to the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It is characterised by a decrease in muscle mass and strength. There are three types of muscle atrophy: physiologic, pathologic, and neurogenic. Each type has different causes and symptoms.
Physiologic atrophy, or disuse atrophy, is caused by not using the muscles enough. This can be due to a sedentary lifestyle, a desk job, old age, or health problems that limit movement. Physiologic atrophy can often be reversed with exercise and better nutrition.
Pathologic atrophy is associated with aging, starvation, and diseases such as Cushing's disease, which can be caused by the overuse of corticosteroids or having overactive adrenal glands.
Neurogenic atrophy is caused by an injury or disease affecting the nerves that connect to the muscles. When these nerves are damaged, they cannot trigger the muscle contractions needed to stimulate muscle activity. As a result, the muscles start to break down, leading to a decrease in muscle size and strength. Neurogenic atrophy is often more sudden than physiologic atrophy and is considered the most severe type of muscle atrophy. Examples of diseases that can cause neurogenic atrophy include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), carpal tunnel syndrome, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
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Muscle atrophy diagnosis
Muscle atrophy is the thinning or loss of muscle tissue and mass. It can be caused by disuse of muscles or neurogenic conditions. Physiologic atrophy is caused by not using the muscles enough, which can be due to a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, or certain health problems. Neurogenic atrophy is caused by an injury or disease affecting nerves that connect to the muscles.
If you suspect you have muscle atrophy, you should contact your healthcare provider for a physical examination. They will ask about your medical history and symptoms, and measure your muscle mass to determine which nerves are affected. They may also order tests, including blood tests, muscle or nerve biopsies, electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies, CT scans, and MRI scans.
The symptoms of muscle atrophy differ depending on the cause. The most obvious sign is reduced muscle mass, which may be noticeable when comparing one hand, arm, or leg to the other. Other signs may include weakness, numbness, or tingling in the limbs, trouble walking or balancing, difficulty swallowing or speaking, and gradual memory loss.
Diagnosis of muscle atrophy is important because it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Treatment for muscle atrophy depends on the type and severity of muscle loss and may include physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, and in some cases, surgery to correct a contracture.
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Muscle atrophy treatment
Muscle atrophy, or muscle wasting, is the thinning or loss of muscle tissue. The primary cause of muscle atrophy is inactivity. If a person does not use a particular muscle, the body eventually breaks it down to conserve energy.
Treatment for muscle atrophy depends on the type. Disuse (physiologic) atrophy can be treated with regular exercise and better nutrition. Your healthcare provider may recommend physical therapy or an exercise plan. Even if you can’t actively move certain joints in your body, you can still do exercises wearing a splint or brace. Your healthcare provider may have you work with a dietitian on a healthy eating plan. They may suggest nutritional supplements as well.
Neurogenic atrophy can sometimes be treated with a special kind of physical therapy called electrical stimulation. Your physical therapist will place electrodes on your skin over your muscles. The electrodes send small electrical impulses to your nerves and muscles. The electrical impulses try to artificially exercise or contract your muscles. This can help you maintain your muscle mass and strength. However, neurogenic atrophy typically can't be reversed because of the physical damage that’s been done to the nerves.
Surgery may be an option for some people with muscle atrophy. Ultrasound therapy is a noninvasive procedure that uses sound waves to aid in healing. If your tendons, ligaments, skin, or muscles are too tight and prevent you from moving, surgery may be necessary. This condition is called contracture deformity. Surgery may be able to correct contracture deformity if your muscle atrophy is due to malnutrition. It may also be able to correct your condition if a torn tendon caused your muscle atrophy.
Other treatments for muscle atrophy include drug treatment, gene therapy, stem cell and exosome therapy, cytokine therapy, and nutrition support.
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Muscle atrophy prevention
Muscle atrophy is the loss or thinning of muscle tissue, which can lead to a decrease in muscle mass and strength. It is often caused by a lack of physical activity, but it can also be caused by malnutrition, age, genetics, or certain medical conditions. The good news is that muscle atrophy can often be prevented or reversed through regular exercise and proper nutrition.
Exercise
Even if you are dealing with an injury or degenerative disease, it is important to try to stay active. There are tools and exercises that can help you stay active, such as Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) exercise, which uses electrical currents to stimulate muscles and encourage movement. Resistance exercises, weightlifting, and stair climbing can also help prevent muscle atrophy by keeping your muscles active and strong. It is recommended to exercise seven days a week, rather than sporadically, for effective muscle maintenance.
Nutrition
Optimising your diet is an important part of preventing muscle atrophy. Make sure you are not in a calorie deficit for your weight and height, and incorporate high amounts of protein-rich foods. Nutraceuticals, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and probiotics, have been found to play a significant role in maintaining muscle health and may be suitable for long-term use.
Physical Therapy
If you are at risk of muscle atrophy due to an injury, disease, or age, working with a physical therapist can be beneficial. They can guide you through safe exercises and passive movement techniques to help you maintain or improve your mobility and muscle strength.
Surgery
Surgery can sometimes lead to muscle atrophy, but there are ways to prevent this. For example, a clinical trial is currently investigating whether a preoperative injection of a specific type of testosterone can prevent the cortisol-induced muscle atrophy that can occur after surgery.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, muscle weakness is a common symptom of muscle atrophy. Sarcopenia, a type of muscle atrophy, is characterised by a decrease in the size and number of muscle fibres, leading to muscle weakness and loss of endurance. If you suspect you have sarcopenia or any other type of muscle atrophy, consult your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Pain and weakness in the muscles can be caused by myositis, which is an inflammation of the muscles. It can develop after a viral infection or as a side effect of an autoimmune condition. However, if the pain and weakness are due to excessive drinking over an extended period, it could be alcohol-associated myopathy. Please consult your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.
Difficulty moving your limbs could be a sign of muscle atrophy, especially if it is accompanied by a decrease in muscle mass and strength. However, it could also be a symptom of muscular dystrophy, a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. Consult your healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment.
Tingling and numbness in the limbs can be indicative of muscle atrophy, particularly neurogenic atrophy, which is caused by nerve problems or diseases. However, these symptoms could also be related to other conditions. It is important to consult your healthcare provider for a comprehensive assessment to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
Yes, muscle atrophy can occur due to inactivity during illness or injury recovery. This type of atrophy, known as physiologic or disuse atrophy, can often be reversed with regular exercise and improved nutrition. Consult your healthcare provider for guidance on appropriate exercises and nutritional recommendations to help restore your muscle mass and function.
