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Muscle loss, or muscle atrophy, is the wasting or thinning of muscle tissue. It can be caused by immobility, ageing, malnutrition, certain diseases, nerve damage, and medications. The loss of muscle function can be severe and may not completely return, even with treatment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle function loss | Paralysis |
| Nerve damage (neuropathy) | |
| Spinal cord injury (myelopathy) | |
| Brain damage (stroke or other brain injury) | |
| Muscle atrophy | Immobility |
| Aging | |
| Malnutrition | |
| Certain systemic diseases (cancer, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, AIDS, liver disease, etc.) | |
| Deinnervation | |
| Intrinsic muscle disease | |
| Medications (such as glucocorticoids) | |
| Local injury or casting | |
| General bed rest |
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Muscle atrophy
There are three types of muscle atrophy: physiologic, pathologic, and neurogenic. Muscles that lose their nerve supply can atrophy and waste away.
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Loss of nerve supply
Muscle loss is called muscle atrophy. It is the wasting or thinning of muscle tissue. People may lose 20 to 40% of their muscle and their strength as they age. However, scientists have found that a major reason people lose muscle is because they stop doing everyday activities that use muscle power, not just because they grow older.
Muscles that lose their nerve supply can atrophy and waste away. This is called neurogenic atrophy. There are three types of muscle atrophy: physiologic, pathologic, and neurogenic. Physiologic atrophy is caused by not using the muscles enough.
Neurogenic atrophy can be caused by a disease of the nervous system, such as nerve damage (neuropathy), spinal cord injury (myelopathy), or brain damage (stroke or other brain injury). The loss of muscle function after some of these types of events can be severe and, in some cases, muscle strength may not completely return, even with treatment. Paralysis can be temporary or permanent. It can affect a small area (localized or focal) or be widespread (generalized). It may affect one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral).
Treatment for muscle atrophy depends on the underlying cause but will often include exercise and adequate nutrition. Anabolic agents may have some efficacy but are not often used due to side effects. If the nerves to your face or head are damaged, you may have difficulty chewing and swallowing or closing your eyes. In these cases, a soft diet may be recommended. You will also need some form of eye protection, such as a patch over the eye while you are asleep.
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Malnutrition
The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) has proposed a new global definition of malnutrition. In clinical settings, at least one phenotypic criterion (such as unintentional weight loss or reduced muscle mass) and one etiologic criterion (such as reduced food intake or inflammation) are required for a diagnosis of malnutrition according to GLIM criteria.
The link between skeletal muscle loss and malnutrition-related conditions is well-established, and timely identification of loss of skeletal muscle mass and function in high-risk populations is crucial. Malnutrition can delay recovery from disease and increase mortality, making it a critical challenge in clinical practice.
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Nerve damage
There is currently no drug treatment for muscle wasting, with exercise and protein intake being the only way to slow muscle loss. However, in cases of nerve damage, physical activity may not be an option.
Research has shown that nerve damage-induced atrophy is accompanied by chronically elevated myofibrillar protein synthesis (MPS) rates. This is despite substantial muscle loss.
Skeletal muscle is the biggest organ in the human body, comprising at least 40% of its mass. Lack of muscle mass and strength is associated with severely reduced independence, quality of life, and life expectancy.
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Long-term immobility
Muscle loss due to immobility can be mitigated by changing positions often. Scientists have found that a major reason people lose muscle is because they stop doing everyday activities that use muscle power, not just because they grow older.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle loss is when a muscle does not work or move normally. The medical term for complete loss of muscle function is paralysis.
Muscle loss can be caused by nerve damage, spinal cord injury, brain damage, ageing, immobility, malnutrition, certain systemic diseases (cancer, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, AIDS, liver disease, etc.), deinnervation, intrinsic muscle disease or medications.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause but will often include exercise and adequate nutrition. Anabolic agents may have some efficacy but are not often used due to side effects.
Sudden loss of muscle function is a medical emergency. Seek medical help right away.
