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Muscle deterioration, or muscle atrophy, is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by muscle disuse, malnutrition, age, genetics, or certain medical conditions. Symptoms include a decrease in muscle mass, weakness and tingling in the limbs, and trouble speaking or swallowing. Some common medical conditions that cause muscle atrophy include muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Treatment for muscle atrophy may include physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, and in some cases, surgery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Wasting or thinning of muscle mass |
| Causes | Disuse of muscles, neurogenic conditions, malnutrition, age, genetics, lack of physical activity, nerve problems, diseases, muscular dystrophy, stroke, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, dermatomyositis, cancer, chronic inflammation, neurological disorders, nerve cell death |
| Symptoms | Decrease in muscle mass, one limb being smaller than the other, numbness, weakness, tingling in limbs, difficulty swallowing or speaking, loss of stamina, difficulty performing daily activities, walking slowly, trouble climbing stairs, poor balance, falls, clumsiness, breathing problems, heart problems, scoliosis, nutritional problems, aspiration pneumonia |
| Treatment | Physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, surgery, medication, exercise, healthy diet, nutritional interventions |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle atrophy
There are three types of muscle atrophy: physiologic, pathologic, and neurogenic. Physiologic atrophy, also known as disuse atrophy, is caused by insufficient muscle use. This type of atrophy is often reversible with exercise and improved nutrition. People with seated jobs, health issues that restrict mobility, or low activity levels are most at risk of physiologic atrophy.
Pathologic atrophy is associated with aging, starvation, and diseases such as Cushing's disease, which can be caused by the overuse of corticosteroids or an overactive adrenal gland. Aging plays a significant role in muscle atrophy, with muscle mass and strength gradually declining over time. This process may be accelerated by factors such as physical inactivity, chronic diseases, and malnutrition.
Neurogenic atrophy, the most severe form of muscle atrophy, is caused by nerve injuries or diseases that affect the nerves connected to the muscles. This type of atrophy can occur more suddenly than physiologic atrophy. Examples of conditions that can lead to neurogenic atrophy include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), carpal tunnel syndrome, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
The symptoms of muscle atrophy include a decrease in muscle mass, with one limb sometimes appearing smaller than the other. Other symptoms may include numbness, weakness, and tingling in the limbs, difficulty with swallowing or speaking, trouble walking or balancing, and increased falls. The hallmark sign of muscle atrophy is the loss of lean muscle mass, which can be challenging to detect in individuals with obesity or significant changes in fat mass or edema.
Treatment options for muscle atrophy include physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, and, in certain cases, surgery. Exercise is often recommended as a treatment, as it can help reverse the effects of muscle atrophy by improving muscle mass and strength.
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Sarcopenia
The main symptom of sarcopenia is muscle weakness. Other symptoms include loss of stamina, difficulty performing daily activities, walking slowly, trouble climbing stairs, poor balance, and falls. Sarcopenia may also have no symptoms until it is severe and is often unrecognized. The hallmark sign of sarcopenia is the loss of lean muscle mass, which can be difficult to detect due to obesity, changes in fat mass, or edema.
The causes of sarcopenia are generally attributable to the natural processes of aging, which are not entirely understood and are multifaceted. Factors contributing to its development include decreased type II muscle fibre size and number, inactivity, obesity, insulin resistance, reduced androgen and growth factor serum concentrations, inadequate protein intake, and a blunted muscle protein synthesis response to protein meals or resistance exercise. Sarcopenia is also associated with several chronic diseases that negatively affect the musculoskeletal system and physical activity, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic heart failure (CHF), chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes mellitus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and cancer.
The degree of sarcopenia is determined by two factors: the initial amount of muscle mass and the rate at which muscle mass declines. Immobility dramatically increases the rate of muscle loss, even in younger people. Other factors that can increase the rate of progression include decreased nutrient intake, low physical activity, or chronic disease. Epidemiological research has also indicated that early environmental influences may have long-term effects on muscle health.
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Muscular dystrophy
Muscle atrophy, or the wasting and thinning of muscle mass, can be caused by muscle disuse or neurogenic conditions. This can lead to muscle deterioration.
There are many kinds of muscular dystrophy, including:
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): The most common form, which mainly affects boys, but girls can also have a milder version.
- Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD): The second most common type, which mainly affects boys, but girls can have milder symptoms.
- Myotonic dystrophy: The most common type diagnosed in adulthood, affecting men and women equally.
- Congenital muscular dystrophies (CMD): A group of muscular dystrophies that are present at or near birth, causing overall muscle weakness with possible joint stiffness or looseness.
- Distal muscular dystrophy: This type affects the muscles of the hands, feet, lower arms, and lower legs.
- Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD): This mainly affects male children and young adults, causing muscle weakness in the shoulders, upper arms, and shins.
- Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD): This most commonly affects muscles in the face, shoulders, and upper arms.
- Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD): This affects the muscles in the upper arms, upper legs, shoulders, and hips.
- Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD): This weakens the muscles in the eyelids and throat.
The main sign of muscular dystrophy is progressive muscle weakness. There is currently no cure, but medications and therapy can help manage symptoms and slow the course of the disease.
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Causes of muscle wasting
Muscle atrophy, or muscle wasting, is the thinning or loss of muscle tissue. It can be caused by muscle disuse or neurogenic conditions. There are three types of muscle atrophy: physiologic, pathologic, and neurogenic. Physiologic atrophy, or muscle disuse, is caused by not using the muscles enough. This type of atrophy can often be reversed with exercise and better nutrition. People with seated jobs, health problems that limit movement, or decreased activity levels are most at risk.
Pathologic atrophy is associated with aging, starvation, and diseases such as Cushing's disease, which can be caused by taking too much corticosteroid medication 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 can't trigger the muscle contractions needed to stimulate muscle activity. This type of atrophy tends to occur more suddenly than physiologic atrophy. Examples of diseases affecting these nerves include Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Multiple Sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Muscle wasting can also be caused by malnutrition, which can be the result of various conditions, including anorexia nervosa, cancer, and persistent nausea. Aging is another cause of muscle wasting, as the body goes through changes that lead to a decrease in muscle mass and strength. This includes a reduction in the production of proteins that muscles need to grow, as well as changes in hormone levels, such as testosterone and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1).
Chronic diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, and HIV can also contribute to muscle wasting. Additionally, physical inactivity, rheumatoid arthritis, and insulin resistance can be factors.
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Treatment for muscle deterioration
Muscle deterioration, or muscle atrophy, is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by muscle disuse, neurogenic conditions, malnutrition, age, genetics, or certain medical conditions. Treatment for muscle atrophy depends on the type and severity of the condition, but generally includes physical therapy, exercise, and nutritional interventions.
Physiologic or disuse atrophy is caused by not using the muscles enough due to factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, or health problems that limit movement. This type of atrophy can often be reversed through exercise and improved nutrition. Healthcare providers may recommend physical therapy or an exercise plan that includes activities with reduced muscle workload, such as swimming or exercises performed with the assistance of braces or splints. Nutritional interventions may involve working with a dietitian to develop a healthy eating plan and possibly incorporating nutritional supplements.
Neurogenic atrophy, a more severe form of muscle atrophy, is caused by injury to or disease of the nerves that connect to the muscles. Conditions associated with neurogenic atrophy include Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), carpal tunnel syndrome, spinal cord injury, and multiple sclerosis. While neurogenic atrophy typically cannot be reversed due to the physical damage to the nerves, it can sometimes be treated with a special type of physical therapy called electrical stimulation.
In cases where muscle atrophy has resulted in contractures, surgery may be required to correct the fibrous tissue that restricts movement. Additionally, ultrasound therapy is another treatment option that may be considered as part of the overall treatment plan.
Sarcopenia, a type of muscle atrophy that occurs with aging, can be treated through lifestyle changes, including progressive resistance-based strength training to improve muscle strength and reverse muscle loss.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle atrophy is the thinning or loss of muscle tissue and mass.
Muscle atrophy can be caused by muscle disuse, malnutrition, age, genetics, or certain medical conditions.
Symptoms of muscle atrophy include a decrease in muscle mass, weakness, numbness, and tingling in the limbs.
Treatment for muscle atrophy may include physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, and in some cases, surgery. Disuse atrophy can often be reversed with exercise and a healthy diet.
Diseases associated with muscle atrophy include muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), and sarcopenia.
