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Alternative names Return to top
Muscle wasting; Wasting; Atrophy of the musclesDefinition Return to top
Muscle atrophy refers to the wasting or loss of muscle tissue resulting from disease or lack of use.Considerations Return to top
The majority of muscle atrophy in the general population results from disuse. People with sedentary jobs and senior citizens with decreased activity can lose muscle tone and develop significant atrophy. This type of atrophy is reversible with vigorous exercise. Bed-ridden people can undergo significant muscle wasting. Astronauts, free of the gravitational pull of Earth, can develop decreased muscle tone and loss of calcium from their bones following just a few days of weightlessness.
Muscle atrophy resulting from disease rather than disuse is generally one of two types, that resulting from damage to the nerves that supply the muscles, and disease of the muscle itself.
Examples of diseases affecting the nerves that control muscles would be poliomyelitis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), and Guillain-Barre syndrome. Examples of diseases affecting primarily the muscles would include muscular dystrophy, myotonia congenita, and myotonic dystrophy as well as other congenital, inflammatory, or metabolic myopathies (muscle diseases).
Even minor muscle atrophy usually results in some loss of mobility or power.
Common Causes Return to top
Home Care Return to top
Application of moist heat is recommended along with whirlpool baths and resistive exercises.Call your health care provider if Return to top
What to expect at your health care provider's office Return to top
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |