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Muscle deterioration, or muscle atrophy, is a condition that causes a decrease in muscle mass and strength. It can be caused by the disuse of muscles or neurogenic conditions. Treatment for muscle atrophy depends on the type and severity of the condition, and can include physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, surgery, and functional electrical stimulation. Healthcare providers may also recommend lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and a healthy diet to help treat and prevent muscle atrophy. In cases of muscular dystrophy, a group of diseases that cause muscle weakness and loss of mass, medicines and other treatments can help manage symptoms and slow the course of the disease.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle atrophy caused by | Inactivity, illness, injury, ageing, malnutrition, nerve damage, or disease |
| Muscle atrophy treatments | Exercise, physical therapy, healthy diet, nutritional supplements, ultrasound therapy, surgery, functional electrical stimulation, targeted mitochondrial therapy |
| Muscular dystrophy treatments | Medicines, devices to assist breathing, surgery, hormone supplements |
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What You'll Learn
Muscular dystrophy
There is currently no cure for muscular dystrophy, but treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment for muscular dystrophy includes medicines, physical and occupational therapy, equipment, surgery, and other procedures. Medicines such as corticosteroids can help with muscle strength and slow some types of muscular dystrophy from worsening. Corticosteroids, such as prednisolone and deflazacort, may be beneficial for delaying muscle weakness, improving lung function, delaying scoliosis, slowing the progression of cardiomyopathy, and prolonging survival.
Physical and occupational therapies can help strengthen and stretch muscles, as well as maintain movement function. Low-impact aerobic exercises, such as walking and swimming, can help with strength, movement, and general health. Some types of strengthening exercises may also be helpful. Mobility aids, such as canes, braces, walkers, and wheelchairs, can improve mobility and help prevent falls. Surgery may be necessary to relieve tension in contracted muscles or to correct spine curvature (scoliosis).
Heart medicines, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-blockers, may be prescribed if muscular dystrophy damages the heart muscle and causes symptoms. These medicines can slow the progression of cardiomyopathy and prevent the onset of heart failure. Pacemakers can also help treat heart rhythm problems and heart failure. Speech therapy can help those who have difficulty swallowing. Respiratory care, including cough-assist devices and respirators, can aid with breathing. Tracheostomy and assisted ventilation may be necessary in cases of respiratory failure.
Gene-based treatments, such as the drug eteplirsen, use a process called "exon skipping" to produce usable muscle protein. These treatments require weekly intravenous injections and do not cure muscular dystrophy, but they can increase muscle protein production. Other treatments, such as targeted therapies and gene therapies, are also being developed based on ongoing research.
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Physiologic atrophy
The hallmark sign of physiologic atrophy is the loss of lean muscle mass, which can be challenging to detect due to obesity, changes in fat mass, or edema. This type of atrophy can often be reversed through targeted interventions. Exercise, particularly in a swimming pool to reduce muscle workload, and improved nutrition are key components of treatment. A healthcare provider may recommend physical therapy or an exercise plan that includes wearing braces or splints to facilitate movement. Additionally, a dietitian may be consulted to develop a healthy eating plan, and nutritional supplements may be suggested to support muscle health.
The amount of time it takes for physiologic atrophy to develop depends on the individual's age, fitness level, and specific cause of atrophy. However, it can occur rapidly, typically within two to three weeks of muscle disuse. It is important to monitor for symptoms such as a decrease in muscle mass, limbs appearing smaller, and numbness, weakness, or tingling in the arms and legs. These symptoms may indicate muscle atrophy, and a healthcare provider should be consulted for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
It is worth noting that muscle atrophy can also be caused by other factors, such as malnutrition, aging, genetics, or certain medical conditions. Neurogenic atrophy, for example, is a type of atrophy caused by nerve problems or diseases that affect the nerves connected to the muscles. This type of atrophy is typically more severe and challenging to reverse compared to physiologic atrophy.
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Pathologic atrophy
Muscle atrophy refers to the wasting or thinning of muscle tissue, resulting in a decrease in muscle mass and strength. It can be caused by muscle disuse or neurogenic conditions. There are three types of muscle atrophy: physiologic, pathologic, and neurogenic.
The treatment for pathologic atrophy depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, it may be possible to reverse the atrophy through exercise and improved nutrition. A healthcare provider may recommend physical therapy or an exercise plan that includes pool exercises to reduce muscle workload. Additionally, a dietitian may suggest nutritional supplements to support recovery.
It is important to consult a healthcare professional if you notice any signs of muscle atrophy, such as a decrease in muscle mass, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the limbs. They can perform a physical examination, evaluate your medical history, and determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your specific condition.
In certain cases, treatment for pathologic atrophy may involve more specialised interventions, such as ultrasound therapy or, in severe cases, surgery to correct contractures. The specific treatment approach will depend on the underlying cause of the atrophy and the affected individual's overall health and medical history.
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Neurogenic atrophy
Diseases and conditions that can affect the nerves and lead to neurogenic atrophy include:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease)
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Spinal cord injury
- Multiple sclerosis
To diagnose neurogenic atrophy, a healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination and ask about the patient's symptoms. They will also measure the patient's muscle mass in the arms and legs. Additionally, the provider may order tests such as blood tests, muscle or nerve biopsies, electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
Treatment for neurogenic atrophy is challenging due to the nature of the condition, and it primarily focuses on managing symptoms and slowing the progression. In some cases, electrical stimulation therapy may be recommended to stimulate the nerves and muscles.
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Sarcopenia
The main symptom of sarcopenia is muscle weakness. Other symptoms include a decrease in muscle mass, one limb being smaller than the other, and numbness, weakness, and tingling in the limbs. As sarcopenia progresses, it can lead to adverse outcomes such as falls, fractures, physical disability, and increased mortality, especially in older individuals and hospitalised patients.
Currently, there is no treatment recognised as universally effective for sarcopenia. Treatment typically includes lifestyle changes, such as physical activity and a healthy diet. Resistance-based strength training can help improve muscle strength and reverse muscle loss. Nutritional interventions, such as increasing protein intake through food or supplements, are also crucial for treating sarcopenia. In some cases, vitamin D supplements may be recommended.
In addition to lifestyle modifications, researchers are exploring other treatment options, including pharmaceutical interventions, hormone supplements, and growth factors. However, there are currently no FDA-approved medications for sarcopenia. Testosterone administration, for example, has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Thus, a personalised treatment plan that considers the patient's age, disease severity, inflammation levels, and comorbidities is essential.
To summarise, sarcopenia is a degenerative skeletal muscle disease that affects older individuals, leading to muscle weakness and a decrease in physical performance. While there is no universally effective treatment, a combination of exercise therapy and nutritional interventions is currently the best approach to managing the condition and improving patients' quality of life.
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Frequently asked questions
Muscle atrophy is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by muscle disuse or neurogenic conditions.
Treatment for muscle atrophy depends on the type and degree of muscle loss. Physiologic atrophy, caused by not using the muscles enough, can be treated with exercise and better nutrition. Neurogenic atrophy, caused by nerve damage, is harder to treat and may require physical therapy or electrical stimulation.
Sarcopenia is the age-related progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. It is caused by the natural aging process, including hormonal changes, and can be treated with lifestyle changes, including physical activity and a healthy diet.
Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause muscles to become weaker and lose mass over time. It is caused by changes in the genes that make proteins needed for healthy muscles. There are many types of muscular dystrophy, with different symptoms and treatments.
A healthcare provider can help treat muscle deterioration by recommending exercises, diet changes, physical therapy, or surgery.
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