Dominic Stone
Muscle wastage, also known as muscle atrophy, is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It is usually caused by a lack of physical activity, but can also be caused by malnutrition, age, genetics, or certain medical conditions. Symptoms of muscle wastage include a decrease in muscle mass, weakness in the limbs, and numbness or tingling in the arms and legs. The treatment for muscle wastage depends on the underlying cause but often includes exercise and improved nutrition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Muscle atrophy or muscle wasting is the wasting, thinning, or loss of muscle tissue or mass. |
| Loss of Muscle Mass | People may lose 20 to 40% of their muscle mass, which leads to a loss of strength. |
| Causes | Malnutrition, age, genetics, lack of physical activity, nerve problems or diseases, muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, dermatomyositis, stroke, spinal cord injury, and certain medications. |
| Symptoms | Numbness, weakness, and tingling in the limbs; difficulty swallowing, speaking, walking, or balancing; decreased stamina; and poor balance. |
| Treatment | Exercise, physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, surgery, nutritional therapy, and anabolic agents. |
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What You'll Learn
- Muscle atrophy is caused by immobility, aging, malnutrition, medications, or injuries/diseases
- Neurogenic atrophy is the most severe type of muscle atrophy
- Sarcopenia is age-related muscle atrophy
- Muscle wasting can be reversed with a proper diet, exercise, and physical therapy
- Malnutrition can cause muscle wasting
Muscle atrophy is caused by immobility, aging, malnutrition, medications, or injuries/diseases
Muscle atrophy, or muscle wastage, is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by immobility, aging, malnutrition, medications, or injuries/diseases.
Immobility
Disuse, or physiologic atrophy, is a common cause of muscle atrophy and can be local (due to injury or casting) or general (bed rest). When muscles are not used, the body starts breaking them down, causing a decrease in size and strength. The rate of muscle atrophy from disuse is approximately 0.5–0.6% of total muscle mass per day, and it can occur within two to three weeks of not using the muscles. The elderly are especially vulnerable to dramatic muscle loss with immobility.
Aging
Age-related muscle atrophy, or sarcopenia, is the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength due to the natural aging process. As people age, their bodies produce fewer proteins that promote muscle growth, leading to a reduction in muscle cell size. Changes in certain hormones, such as testosterone and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), can also affect muscle fibers and contribute to sarcopenia. Sarcopenia can greatly impact an individual's quality of life by reducing their ability to perform daily tasks.
Malnutrition
Malnutrition-related muscle atrophy can develop when medical conditions impair the body's ability to absorb nutrients. Prolonged malnutrition and starvation can lead to muscle atrophy, and this can be reversed with nutritional therapy. Cachexia is a wasting syndrome caused by underlying diseases such as cancer, HIV, or multiple sclerosis, resulting in extreme weight loss and muscle atrophy.
Medications
The use of certain medications, such as anabolic steroids, has been explored as a potential treatment for severe cases of muscle atrophy. However, their use is limited by side effects. A novel class of drugs, selective androgen receptor modulators, is being investigated as a potential treatment with fewer side effects.
Injuries/Diseases
Neurogenic atrophy is caused by injuries or diseases that affect the nerves connecting to the muscles. When these nerves are damaged, they cannot trigger the muscle contractions necessary for muscle activity. Diseases such as muscular dystrophy, myopathies, and spinal cord injuries can lead to muscle atrophy. Carpal tunnel syndrome can also cause nerve and muscle breakdown, known as atrophy.
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Neurogenic atrophy is the most severe type of muscle atrophy
Muscle atrophy is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by muscle disuse or neurogenic conditions. Symptoms include a decrease in muscle mass, weakness, and numbness or tingling in the limbs.
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. This type of atrophy tends to occur more suddenly than physiologic atrophy. Examples of diseases affecting the nerves that control muscles include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease) and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Physiologic atrophy, also known as disuse atrophy, is caused by not using the muscles enough. This can be due to a sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, lack of exercise, or certain health conditions that limit movement. Physiologic atrophy can often be reversed through exercise and improved nutrition.
Pathologic atrophy is associated with aging, starvation, and diseases such as Cushing's disease, which is caused by the overuse of corticosteroids or having overactive adrenal glands.
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Sarcopenia is age-related muscle atrophy
Muscle atrophy is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by muscle disuse, malnutrition, age, genetics, lack of physical activity, nerve problems, or certain medical conditions.
Sarcopenia, a type of muscle atrophy, is the age-related progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. It is primarily caused by the natural ageing process, but scientists also believe that being physically inactive and eating an unhealthy diet can contribute to the disease. Sarcopenia is characterised by a loss of muscle strength and mass, with patients suffering from mobility disorders that reduce their quality of life. The condition commonly affects the elderly population and can be diagnosed when a patient's muscle mass is at least two standard deviations below the relevant population mean and they have a slow walking speed. Sarcopenia may also cause reduced strength, functional decline, and an increased risk of falling.
The term sarcopenia comes from the Greek σάρξ (sarx, meaning "flesh") and πενία (penia, meaning "poverty"). It was first proposed by Rosenberg in 1989, who wrote:
> There may be no single feature of age-related decline that could more dramatically affect ambulation, mobility, calorie intake, and overall nutrient intake and status, independence, breathing, etc.
The causes of sarcopenia are not entirely understood, but changes in hormones, immobility, age-related muscle changes, nutrition, and neurodegenerative changes have all been recognised as factors. One of the main mechanisms behind sarcopenia is believed to be a loss of proteostasis, which is when the body doesn't produce the same amount of proteins that muscles need to grow. This leads to muscle cells getting smaller. In addition, changes in certain hormones, such as testosterone and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), can affect muscle fibres and lead to sarcopenia.
There are ways to treat and even reverse the effects of sarcopenia. Exercise can slow the progression of the disease, and older adults may need higher amounts of dietary protein to prevent muscle atrophy. Other medications under investigation as possible treatments include ghrelin, vitamin D, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and eicosapentaenoic acid.
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Muscle wasting can be reversed with a proper diet, exercise, and physical therapy
Muscle wasting, or atrophy, is the thinning or loss of muscle tissue and mass. It can be caused by muscle disuse, neurogenic conditions, malnutrition, ageing, genetics, lack of physical activity, or certain medical conditions. This results in a decrease in muscle strength and size, with symptoms such as numbness, weakness, and tingling in the limbs.
Physiologic atrophy, or muscle disuse, occurs when muscles are not used enough. This can be due to a sedentary lifestyle, malnourishment, inadequate exercise, desk jobs, or certain medical conditions that limit movement. In such cases, muscle wasting can be reversed with a proper diet, exercise, and physical therapy.
To reverse muscle wasting, a healthy diet that includes high-quality proteins and supplements to increase protein intake is recommended. This nutritional therapy can help to rebuild muscle mass. Additionally, regular exercise, particularly progressive resistance-based strength training, can aid in reversing muscle loss. Working out in a swimming pool is often suggested as it reduces the muscle workload.
Neurogenic atrophy, on the other hand, is caused by nerve injuries or diseases that affect the nerves connecting to the muscles. This type of atrophy is more challenging to reverse due to the physical damage to the nerves. However, physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, and in some cases, surgery, can be explored as treatment options.
While muscle wasting can be a natural part of the ageing process, it can also be accelerated by physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet. Therefore, it is important to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle to prevent and reverse muscle atrophy.
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Malnutrition can cause muscle wasting
Muscle atrophy, or muscle wastage, is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by the disuse of muscles or neurogenic conditions. Symptoms include a decrease in muscle mass, weakness, and numbness or tingling in the limbs.
A study by Verlaan et al. found a higher survival rate three months after discharge in patients with greater muscle mass and without malnutrition at hospital admission. Another study found that malnourished patients lost 10% of handgrip strength and 12% of knee extension strength during hospitalization, indicating the adverse impact of malnutrition on muscle strength.
Malnutrition is an independent risk factor for acute muscle wasting, especially in frail, older hospitalized patients. It is important to recognize and address malnutrition in older patients to prevent muscle wasting and its associated negative outcomes. Treatment for muscle atrophy caused by malnutrition includes exercise and nutritional therapy.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle wastage, also known as muscle atrophy, is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by muscle disuse, ageing, malnutrition, medications, nerve problems, or a wide range of injuries or diseases.
The hallmark sign of muscle wastage is the loss of lean muscle mass. Symptoms vary depending on the cause, but common symptoms include weakness, numbness or tingling in the limbs, difficulty swallowing, and trouble walking or balancing.
Treatment for muscle wastage depends on the underlying cause and the severity of muscle loss. It often includes exercise, physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, and improved nutrition. In some cases, surgery may be necessary.
