Loss of muscle function, sarcopenia, paralysis: What's it, causes, symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention
Muscle function loss; Paralysis; Paresis; Loss of movement; Motor dysfunction
What is loss of muscle function?
Loss of muscle function means deterioration or impairment in the ability of the muscles to perform their normal functions.. This condition can have a variety of causes and can lead to decreased motor skills and general physical weakness..
Loss of muscle function can be caused:
- Disease of the muscle itself (myopathy)
- Area disease, where muscle and nerve meet (neuromuscular junction)
- Disease of the nervous system: nerve injury (Neuropathy), spinal cord trauma (myelopathy) or brain damage ( stroke or other brain damage)
Loss of muscle function after these types of events can be serious.. In some cases, muscle strength may not fully recover even with treatment..
Paralysis can be temporary or permanent. It can hit a small area (localized or focal) or be common (generalized). It can hit one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral).
If the paralysis affects the lower half of the body and both legs, it's called paraplegia. If it affects both arms and legs, it's called quadriplegia. If the paralysis affects the muscles, providing breathing, it quickly becomes life-threatening.
Causes of Loss of Muscle Function
Muscle diseases, causing loss of muscle function, include:
- Alcoholic myopathy
- Congenital myopathies (most often due to a genetic disorder)
- Dermatomyositis and polymyositis
- drug myopathy (Statins, steroids)
- Mыshechnaya dystrophy
Nervous System Disorders, causing loss of muscle function, include:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease)
- Bell's palsy
- Botulism
- Guillain Barre syndrome
- Myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Etona syndrome
- Neuropathy
- Paralytic shellfish poisoning
- Periodic paralysis
- Focal nerve injury
- Polio or other viruses
- Spinal cord or brain injury
- Stroke
Symptoms of Loss of Muscle Function
In addition to physical weakness and reduced motor skills, loss of muscle function can be manifested by the following symptoms:
- Difficulty lifting objects or performing simple tasks
- muscle trembling
- Reduced range of motion or limitation of mobility
- Constant feeling of tiredness or exhaustion
- Pain in muscles or joints
When to See a Doctor
If you have signs of loss of muscle function or experience physical weakness, it is important to see a doctor to assess your condition and determine possible causes. You must seek medical attention, if:
- Loss of muscle function is progressive or becomes chronic
- Associated symptoms, such as pain or limitation of movement, get worse
- You have a history of muscle or nervous system injury or disease
- you feel weak, that affects your ability to complete everyday tasks
Questions, which the doctor may ask
During a visit to the doctor, he may ask you the following questions, to find out the causes and nature of the loss of muscle function:
- When did you first notice the loss of muscle function?
- Do you have other symptoms, associated with loss of muscle function?
- Have you had any injuries or diseases of the muscles or nervous system in the past?
- Do you have relatives with similar symptoms or illnesses??
- What types of physical activity do you do regularly?
Diagnosis of Loss of Muscle Function
Diagnosis of loss of muscle function includes various methods and studies, which help to determine its causes. The doctor may spend:
- Physical examination and assessment of muscle strength and mobility
- Order lab tests to check vitamin levels, electrolytes and other health indicators
- Send for electromyography (DOH) to assess the electrical activity of muscles
- Conduct educational research, such as X-ray or MRI
- Consult a neurologist or other specialists depending on the suspected cause of the loss of muscle function
Treatment for Loss of Muscle Function
Treatment for loss of muscle function depends on the underlying cause and may include the following approaches:
- Physiotherapy and rehabilitation exercises to strengthen muscles and restore function
- Pharmacological therapy to control inflammation, pain or other symptoms
- Surgery if needed, eg, to repair damaged muscles or nerves
- Personalized care plan and support to help with everyday tasks
Treating Loss of Muscle Function at Home
Sudden loss of muscle function is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical attention.
After, How will you receive treatment, your health care provider may recommend some of the following measures:
- Follow prescribed therapy.
- If the nerves in your face or head are damaged, you may have difficulty chewing and swallowing or closing your eyes. In these cases, a soft diet may be recommended.. You will also need eye protection, eg, eye patch, while you sleep.
- Prolonged immobility can cause serious complications. Change positions often and take care of your skin. Range of motion exercises can help maintain certain muscle tone.
- Splints can help prevent muscle contractures, state, in which the muscle becomes irreversibly shortened.
In addition to professional treatment, there are other measures, which may help improve muscle function loss:
- Follow your doctor's recommendations for physical activity and exercise regimen
- Proper nutrition, including enough protein and nutrients to support muscle health
- Strengthening Muscles Through Exercise, recommended by a specialist
- Using Supported Devices, if necessary, to facilitate movement
Prevention of loss of muscle function
The following recommendations may help prevent loss or progression of muscle function.:
- Maintain an active lifestyle and engage in regular exercise
- Follow a healthy diet and make sure, that your diet is rich in protein and nutrients
- Avoid prolonged sitting or immobility
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including adequate sleep and stress management
- Conduct regular examinations and consultations with a specialist in the condition of the muscles and nervous system
Used sources and literature
Evoli A, Vincent A. Disorders of neuromuscular transmission. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 394.
Selcen D. Muscle diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 393.
Warner WC, Sawyer JR. Neuromuscular disorders. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell’s Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 35.
