Atrophy generally means reducing the size of a cell and thus reducing its ability to carry out its tasks. In this article, you will learn about nerve and muscle atrophy:
In this article, Niketrainers.com.co will tell you:
Nerve and muscle atrophy: definition
Here’s the definition of any nerve or muscle atrophy, one at a time:
1. Nerve atrophy
Nerve atrophy means a reduction in the size and ability of a nerve to conduct nerve impulses, resulting in a decline in its efficiency and function in communicating commands to cells.
2. Muscle atrophy
Muscular dystrophy means a gradual decrease in muscle mass, and atrophy can be seen with the naked eye, where a muscle or organ appears much smaller than its normal size, losing the ability to contract and relax.and
Nerve and muscle atrophy: types
Nerve and muscle atrophy occurs for many reasons, and on this basis, they are classified into several types, including:
1. Types of muscular dystrophy
There are several types of muscular dystrophy:
- physical muscle atrophy
The cause of this atrophy is malnutrition and lack of physical activity of the muscle, including the following cases:
- Bedridden.
- Stroke survivors who were affected and their limbs were weak.
- Astronauts because of zero gravity.
Usually, muscle size can be restored through gradual physical activity, adherence to doctors’ recommendations, and good nutrition.
- pathological muscular dystrophy
It occurs due to old age, hunger, or illness such as:
2. Types of nerve atrophy
Scientists don’t know the root cause, but aging is probably the only reason, and nerve atrophy is one of the causes of many diseases, including the following diseases:
- Alzheimer’s disease
In people with Alzheimer’s disease, neurons gradually shrink and lose a very important part of nerve conduction and the network between neurons, negatively affecting their work, such as memory and analysis.
It’s worth noting that the first types of neurons to shrink are the memory nerves, but the symptoms appear years after the onset of neurological atrophy.and
- Optic nerve atrophy
In this case, the optic nerve that transmits signals between the brain and the eye is gradually damaged and its symptoms are as follows:
- Difficulty distinguishing colors.
- Sight and loneliness receded.
- Reduced side vision.
- In some cases, blindness.and
Nerve and muscle atrophy: treatment
Here are ways to treat nerve and muscle atrophy
1. Treatment of nerve atrophy
Cases of nerve atrophy are treated according to the cause based on the cause, for example, if the cause is Alzheimer’s disease, it is treated by controlling the symptoms, but if the cause is viral, antiviral drugs are used.
2. Treatment of muscular dystrophy
Treatment of muscular dystrophy is based on the following axes:
- physical treatment
Physiotherapy is aimed at increasing the blood supply to the area and increasing the strength of the muscle, and thus improving the work of the organ.
- electrical stimulation technology
This technique involves giving the patient an electric current of a certain strength in order to stimulate the organ function.
- Intensive ultrasound
These waves travel through the body, stimulating muscle contractions to relieve symptoms of atrophy.
- operations
In some cases, doctors resort to surgical operations to improve the function of an organ.and
Do nerve and muscle atrophies occur together?
Yes, nerve and muscle atrophy can occur suddenly rather than gradually and is therefore one of the most dangerous and difficult cases and can usually occur due to an imbalance in the nerve that delivers a nerve impulse to the same muscle, which is the case in many diseases. including:
1. Polio
Polio affects the affected muscle completely or partially, meaning it may be able to move one of its muscles, but not with the full force of the muscle.
Genes could be the cause, or certain diseases or injuries could be causing the condition.and
2. Guillain-Barré syndrome
It is a disease that usually affects children and is a rare immune disease in which immune cells attack and destroy nerve cells after surgery, microbial infection or a severe wound.
Its danger lies in the paralysis of the chest muscles, which causes asphyxiation, but the baby usually recovers within a few weeks.and
3. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
The disease is caused by genetic factors by 5% -10%, while the cause of the rest of the cases is unknown and usually attacks the nerves responsible for movement such as walking and speaking gradually, eventually resulting in death in many cases.and
4. Diabetes
In advanced cases, diabetes causes nerve atrophy, affecting the muscles of the buttocks, thighs, and legs. People with this condition complain of pain and a stinging sensation. It is worth noting that 50% of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes have varying degrees, but this is not as dangerous as previous diseases.