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There are many reasons why your muscles may be decreasing in size or strength. This is known as muscle atrophy or muscle weakness. Muscle atrophy can be caused by physiologic, pathologic, or neurogenic factors. Physiologic atrophy is caused by not using your muscles enough, which can be the result of leading a sedentary lifestyle, having a desk job, or having health problems that limit movement. Pathologic atrophy is associated with aging, starvation, and diseases such as Cushing's disease. Neurogenic atrophy is caused by an injury or disease affecting the nerves that connect to your muscles. In addition to atrophy, muscle weakness can be caused by viral infections, muscle strain, thyroid conditions, electrolyte imbalances, and certain medications. If you are experiencing muscle weakness or atrophy, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muscle atrophy | Disuse (physiologic) atrophy, neurogenic atrophy |
| Disuse atrophy causes | Sedentary lifestyle, malnourishment, lack of exercise, seated job, health problems limiting movement, decreased activity levels, old age |
| Disuse atrophy treatment | Regular exercise, healthy diet, physical therapy, exercise plan, nutritional supplements |
| Neurogenic atrophy causes | Injury or disease affecting nerves connected to muscles, nerve damage, nerve supply issues |
| Neurogenic atrophy treatment | Special physical therapy (electrical stimulation), cannot be reversed |
| Muscle weakness causes | Age, health problems, lack of activity, corticosteroids, cholesterol-lowering statins, viral infections, muscle strain, repetition injury, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases, thyroid conditions, electrolyte imbalances, medications, pregnancy |
| Muscle weakness treatment | Regular exercise, physical therapy, progressive resistive exercise |
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What You'll Learn
Sedentary lifestyle
A sedentary lifestyle, characterised by prolonged sitting and little to no exercise, can have detrimental effects on muscle health. When muscles are not regularly contracted through activity, they begin to atrophy or waste away. This process, known as disuse atrophy, occurs when the body stops maintaining muscles that are not being used, causing them to break down and decrease in size and strength.
Research indicates that adults with desk jobs can lose up to 3.8% of their muscle mass per day due to prolonged sitting. This muscle loss has several negative consequences. Firstly, it leads to a reduction in overall strength, making even basic physical tasks more challenging. Secondly, it results in shorter and tighter muscles, limiting your range of motion and increasing the risk of strains or tears during exercise or everyday activities.
The impact of a sedentary lifestyle on muscle health is not limited to muscle atrophy. Inactive individuals may also experience stiff muscles, decreased mobility, and chronic pain. Additionally, the lack of weight-bearing activity can lead to bone loss and a higher risk of osteoporosis.
To counteract the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle, it is essential to incorporate movement into your daily routine. This can include simple activities such as walking, taking the stairs, or doing bodyweight exercises like squats or lunges. Aim for at least one minute of movement for every 20 to 30 minutes of inactivity, and schedule dedicated workout sessions for resistance training and cardio exercise. By making a committed effort to increase your activity levels, you can effectively protect and improve your muscle health.
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Malnutrition
Undernutrition, a common form of malnutrition, involves a deficiency of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats) and/or micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). This can lead to visible wasting of fat and muscle, even in overweight individuals. Micronutrient undernutrition can have serious and lasting effects, such as vision problems (due to vitamin A deficiency) and soft bones (due to vitamin D deficiency). Overnutrition, another form of malnutrition, is caused by an excess of nutrients and can lead to obesity and related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, coronary artery disease, and stroke.
The risk of malnutrition and its impact on muscle mass is particularly prevalent in older hospitalized patients. Studies have shown that malnutrition, as assessed by the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria, is associated with a significant decrease in mid-thigh muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) during hospitalization. Malnutrition was found to be an independent risk factor for muscle wasting, with malnourished patients experiencing an average loss of 7-9% of thigh muscle mass within 14 days.
The Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ) is a commonly used tool for early detection of malnutrition in hospitalized patients. It includes questions about unintentional weight loss, decreased appetite, and the use of supplemental feeding. Patients identified as being at moderate to severe risk of malnutrition are offered dietary interventions, including energy- and protein-rich meals, supplementation, or tube feeding.
Treatment for muscle atrophy caused by malnutrition involves addressing the underlying nutritional deficiencies. This may include improving diet and nutrition through energy- and protein-rich meals, nutritional supplements, or working with a dietitian to develop a healthy eating plan. In some cases, physical therapy or an exercise plan may also be recommended to help restore muscle mass and function.
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Neurogenic atrophy
The diagnosis of neurogenic atrophy involves a physical examination by a healthcare provider, who will look for symptoms such as a decrease in muscle mass, numbness, weakness, and tingling in the limbs. They may also order specific tests, including 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 can be challenging because of the physical damage to the nerves. While physiologic atrophy can often be reversed with exercise and improved nutrition, neurogenic atrophy typically cannot be reversed. However, treatment options for neurogenic atrophy may include a specialised form of physical therapy called electrical stimulation, along with other types of rehabilitation.
It is important to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan if you suspect you are experiencing muscle atrophy or any related symptoms.
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Age-related atrophy
Muscle atrophy is the wasting or thinning of muscle mass. It can be caused by the disuse of muscles or neurogenic conditions. Age-related atrophy, also known as sarcopenia, is a type of physiologic atrophy caused by insufficient muscle use. This type of atrophy is common in people with sedentary lifestyles, health problems that limit movement, or decreased activity levels.
As people age, their muscles lose mass and strength, which can lead to sarcopenia. This condition typically becomes noticeable in the 60s or 70s and is accompanied by other health issues that contribute to inactivity. The loss of muscle mass and strength associated with age-related atrophy can make everyday tasks more challenging.
The good news is that age-related atrophy can often be reversed or managed through exercise and improved nutrition. Physiologic atrophy can be treated with regular physical activity and a healthy diet. Working out in a pool, for example, can help reduce the workload on the muscles. Additionally, healthcare providers may recommend physical therapy or an exercise plan tailored to the individual's needs. In some cases, nutritional supplements may be suggested to support muscle health.
It is important to consult a healthcare professional when addressing age-related atrophy. They can perform a physical exam, assess symptoms, and develop a treatment plan that may include exercise, nutrition, and physical therapy. By taking a proactive approach and following the advice of medical experts, individuals can effectively manage age-related atrophy and improve their overall well-being.
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Muscular dystrophy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most prevalent form, predominantly affecting boys, although girls may experience milder versions. Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is the second most common type, typically affecting boys, but girls can exhibit milder symptoms. DMD and BMD can impact the heart and lungs as they progress.
Myotonic dystrophy is the most frequently diagnosed type in adults and affects both men and women equally. Individuals with myotonic dystrophy struggle to relax their muscles after use, and it can also lead to endocrine issues such as thyroid disease and diabetes.
Congenital muscular dystrophies (CMD) refer to a group of muscular dystrophies that are apparent at or near birth and cause overall muscle weakness, along with potential joint stiffness or looseness. Some forms of CMD may also involve spinal curvature, breathing issues, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, eye problems, or seizures.
Distal muscular dystrophy primarily affects the muscles of the hands, feet, lower arms, and lower legs. Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) mainly impacts male children and young adults, causing muscle weakness in the shoulders, upper arms, and shins. It can also affect the heart and usually progresses slowly.
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) commonly affects the muscles in the face, shoulders, and upper arms. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) affects the muscles in the upper arms, upper legs, shoulders, and hips and can occur at any age. Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) weakens the muscles in the eyelids and throat, often manifesting in middle age.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have an inactive lifestyle, your muscles are decreasing due to disuse atrophy, also known as physiologic atrophy. This is caused by not using your muscles enough, which can be the result of leading a sedentary lifestyle, having a desk job, or having health problems that limit movement. Disuse atrophy can often be reversed with exercise and a healthy diet.
If you have an underlying health condition, your muscles are decreasing due to pathologic atrophy, which is seen with aging, starvation, and diseases such as Cushing disease, or muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause muscles to become weaker and lose mass over time due to changes in the genes that make proteins needed for healthy muscles.
If you have nerve damage, your muscles are decreasing due to neurogenic atrophy, which is caused by an injury to or disease of a nerve that connects to the muscle. Neurogenic atrophy is the most severe type of muscle atrophy and typically cannot be reversed because of the physical damage that has been done to the nerves. Treatment may include physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, or in some cases, surgery to correct a contracture.
