Muscle atrophy is a decreased muscle volume, which occurs due to a decrease in muscle cell size.
Muscle atrophy has treatment, which may vary by cause. The exercises with load, such as bodybuilding, are best suited to combat the problem.
At main causes of muscular atrophy are:
- Lack of use: When a member is cast, for example, the muscle atrophy due to disuse. The loss of muscle mass can easily be observed after removing the plaster and comparing with the healthy opposite limb;
- Aging: Muscle atrophy, with consequent decrease in muscle mass, increases with age and is part of the natural process of aging;
- Loss of hormonal stimuli: In the case of men, low testosterone causes muscle atrophy, since this hormone acts directly in the maintenance of the musculature;
- Inadequate nutrition: The lack of protein or carbohydrates in the diet leads the body to consume the body's own muscles to obtain energy and protein, which should come from food. The result is loss of muscle mass (atrophy);
- Loss of innervation: Injuries to the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves can cause muscle atrophy. One example is spinal cord atrophy observed in paraplegic or quadriplegic patients.
What is the treatment for muscle atrophy?
The treatment of muscular atrophy main objective cause a Muscular hypertrophy, that is, the inverse effect of atrophy.
While atrophy the muscle decreases, in the hypertrophy O muscle increases of size and muscle mass gain occurs.
Thus, treatment may include:
- Physiotherapy or bodybuilding: The best way to promote muscle hypertrophy is by increasing your work load through weight and weight exercises. However, it is essential to have the guidance of a professional. If they are not performed correctly and well coupled with diet, exercise can cause even more loss of muscle mass;
- Electro-stimulation: When atrophy occurs by loss of innervation, as in spinal muscular atrophy, treatment is done by electrostimulation. In this case, since the patient is not able to perform a voluntary muscular contraction, electric current is used to contract the muscle;
- Proper feeding: In addition to the exercises and electrostimulation, it is essential to have a balanced diet, with an adequate and proportional intake of carbohydrates (bread, rice, pasta, potatoes) and proteins (meats, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, chickpeas);
- Hormone replacement: It may be indicated if atrophy is related to low levels of testosterone.
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Muscle atrophy can be diagnosed by a general practitioner or family doctor, who can indicate the most appropriate treatment or refer to another specialist when necessary.
