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Muscle atrophy is the deterioration or thinning of muscle tissue and mass. It can be caused by several factors, including inactivity, malnutrition, nerve damage, illness, or injury. While muscle atrophy can be challenging to prevent, especially in cases of injury or degenerative disease, there are strategies to stimulate and promote muscle growth. This involves a combination of physical activity, nutritional support, and in some cases, medical intervention.
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Lack of physical activity
Muscle atrophy is the wasting or loss of muscle tissue and can be caused by a lack of physical activity. It can occur when a person remains immobile while recovering from an injury or illness. This type of atrophy is reversible with regular exercise and physical therapy.
Physiologic atrophy, or disuse atrophy, is caused by not using the muscles enough. It can be treated with regular exercise and better nutrition. Physiologic atrophy can occur within two to three weeks of not using your muscles. Even if you can't actively move certain joints in your body, you can still exercise wearing a splint or brace.
Sedentary people who are immobile due to illness or injury are more susceptible to muscle atrophy. This includes people who are bedridden, recovering from surgery, have seated jobs, have low activity levels, or have health problems that limit mobility.
Injured athletes may experience long periods of inactivity during recovery from injuries or surgeries, increasing their risk of muscle atrophy.
People who are affected by physiologic atrophy include those with seated jobs, health problems that limit movement, or decreased activity levels.
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Neurogenic conditions
Neurogenic atrophy, also known as neurogenic muscle atrophy, is a severe type of muscle atrophy caused by nerve trauma or a disease affecting nerves that connect to the muscles. When these nerves are damaged, they can no longer trigger the muscle contractions needed to stimulate muscle activity. As a result, the muscles start to break down, leading to a decrease in size and strength. Neurogenic atrophy can occur more suddenly than other types of atrophy, such as physiologic atrophy, which is caused by a lack of muscle use.
Neurogenic atrophy can be caused by various conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Guillain-Barre syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis. The atrophy develops when the muscles no longer receive signals from the nerves, resulting in reduced muscle contractions and wasting.
The treatment for neurogenic atrophy aims to preserve muscle mass and slow down the progression of the condition. Physical activity and certain drugs can help achieve this, although they do not provide a complete cure. Nutritional support is also crucial, as a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and lean proteins can aid in mitigating neurogenic atrophy. Additionally, specific functional nutrients, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and flavonoids, may help counteract neurogenic muscle atrophy by reducing inflammation, improving mitochondrial function, and stimulating muscle protein synthesis.
Neurotherapy is another effective treatment option for neurogenic atrophy. It stimulates the nervous system using mild electrical pulses, promoting physical and psychological benefits. Electrical stimulation, functional electrical stimulation (FES), and ultrasound therapy are also used to stimulate the nerves and muscles, helping to improve mobility and strength in weakened muscles.
It is important to note that the treatment for neurogenic atrophy depends on the underlying cause and the severity of muscle loss. Seeking medical advice and undergoing a comprehensive medical examination are crucial steps in determining the appropriate treatment plan.
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Malnutrition
Muscle atrophy is the thinning or wasting of muscle mass. It can be caused by the disuse of muscles, neurogenic conditions, malnutrition, age, genetics, or certain medical conditions. Disuse atrophy occurs when muscles are not used enough, leading to a decrease in size and strength. Neurogenic atrophy, on the other hand, is caused by nerve problems or diseases that impair muscle contractions.
As people age, their bodies produce fewer proteins essential for muscle growth, leading to a condition called sarcopenia, which is characterized by a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. Sarcopenia is prevalent among older adults and contributes to functional decline, an increased risk of falls and fractures, and higher morbidity and mortality. Acute and chronic diseases, as well as disease-related immobilization, can further accelerate the development of sarcopenia.
The impact of malnutrition on muscle atrophy is particularly evident in older hospitalized patients. Studies have shown that malnutrition is a significant risk factor for developing low muscle mass and strength in this population. During hospitalization, malnourished patients may experience a decline in mid-thigh muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and a loss of handgrip and knee extension strength.
To prevent or treat malnutrition-related muscle atrophy, addressing nutritional deficiencies is crucial. Ensuring adequate dietary protein intake and nutritional support, along with physical activity or targeted exercises, can help preserve muscle mass and mitigate atrophy. In some cases, electrical stimulation techniques or surgical procedures may be recommended to stimulate muscle contractions and aid in recovery.
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Ageing
Muscle atrophy is the thinning or loss of muscle mass, which can be caused by a lack of muscle use, neurogenic conditions, malnutrition, genetics, or certain medical conditions. Age-related muscle atrophy, also called sarcopenia, is a common condition among people over 65 years old. It is usually connected to weakness, slower movement, and loss of balance, leading to a greater risk of falls and fractures.
As people age, they may experience a decrease in muscle mass and strength due to various factors, including hormonal changes, reduced physical activity, and nutritional deficiencies. The loss of muscle fibres and the impaired efficiency of converting nutritional and exercise stimuli into signalling impacting mRNA translation and proteolysis contribute to age-related muscle atrophy. Older adults also experience a reduced capacity to recover from muscle loss, even with supervised rehabilitation.
To prevent and reverse age-related muscle atrophy, staying active is crucial. Simple exercises like walking, resistance exercises (e.g., using resistance bands, lifting weights, push-ups, and sit-ups), and calisthenics can help reduce muscle loss and improve flexibility, balance, and coordination. Any amount of exercise is beneficial, and physical activity can positively influence muscle mass, function, and metabolic health.
In addition to exercise, proper nutrition is essential. Eating enough calories and high-quality protein can slow down muscle loss and aid in rebuilding atrophied muscles. Consuming omega-3 fatty acids and creatine supplements may also help fight sarcopenia and improve muscle strength. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment for muscle atrophy, which may include physical therapy, exercise plans, and nutritional interventions.
Overall, age-related muscle atrophy is a common condition that can significantly impact the quality of life of older adults. However, by staying active and adopting healthy eating habits, it is possible to prevent, manage, and even reverse the effects of muscle atrophy.
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Genetic factors
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disorder characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy in skeletal muscles, or muscles used for movement. SMA is a group of hereditary diseases that affect motor neurons, or nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control movement in the arms, legs, face, chest, throat, and tongue. The skeletal muscle weakness caused by SMA is often more severe in the trunk and upper leg and arm muscles than in the hands and feet.
There are five types of SMA, which range in severity and age of onset. Type I is the most common type, accounting for about half of all cases, while Types II and III are the next most common, and Types 0 and IV are rare. Type IV SMA, which is rare, often begins in early adulthood and is characterized by mild to moderate muscle weakness, tremors, and mild breathing problems. SMA Type III, also known as Kugelberg-Welander disease, typically causes muscle weakness after early childhood, and while individuals with this type can stand and walk unaided, they may eventually require wheelchair assistance later in life. SMA Type II is more severe, and individuals with this type cannot stand or walk unaided and often experience involuntary tremors in their fingers, scoliosis, and respiratory muscle weakness.
All types of SMA are caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, which provides instructions for making the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein, which is necessary for normal motor neuron function and plays a pivotal role in gene expression in motor neurons. The SMN2 gene also produces a small amount of SMN protein, and the number of copies of the SMN2 gene influences the severity of the condition. While SMA is typically caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, other rare forms are caused by mutations in other genes. The most common mutation in the SMN1 gene is a deletion of exon 7.1, a whole segment of the gene.
Muscular dystrophy is another group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass due to abnormal genes (mutations) that interfere with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscle. Each form of muscular dystrophy is caused by a genetic mutation particular to that type of disease, and most of these mutations are inherited. The most common variety, Duchenne, usually occurs in young boys, but the disease occurs in both sexes and all ages, races, and ethnicities. People with a family history of muscular dystrophy are at a higher risk of developing the disease or passing it on to their children.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle atrophy is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by muscle disuse, nerve problems, malnutrition, age, genetics, or certain medical conditions.
Muscle atrophy can be stimulated by ceasing all physical activity and adopting a sedentary lifestyle. This will cause your muscles to deteriorate due to disuse.
Treatment for muscle atrophy depends on the type. Physiologic atrophy can be treated with regular exercise and a healthy diet. Neurogenic atrophy, on the other hand, is harder to treat due to the physical damage done to the nerves. It may be treated with a special kind of physical therapy called electrical stimulation.
