Muscle hypotrophy is a type of dystrophy that occurs as a result of a complex metabolic disturbance in the body. The pathological condition develops due to a lack of vitamins, minerals and nutrients in muscle tissues necessary for their normal functioning.
Such a disease is very dangerous, because in the absence of treatment, a person not only decreases physical capabilities, as a result of which he ceases to cope with even simple tasks, but he can also remain permanently disabled. Let's see why muscle dystrophy develops, as well as what methods of therapy exist in modern medicine today.
The main causes of pathology
Let's dwell on this in more detail. Muscular dystrophy has been encountered in our country for a long time. According to doctors, the causes of muscle hypotrophy can be different, but among the most common, the following are distinguished:
- Poor nutrition of the mother during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- The consequences of various diseases suffered by a woman.
- The abuse of tobacco and alcohol.
- Permanent stay in stressful situations.
- Harmful working conditions.
- Dystrophy in the mother.
- Intrauterine pathology of infectious etiology.
- Chemical poisoning.
- Intoxication caused by impaired circulation of muscle tissue.
- Metabolic disorder.
- Hereditary dystrophic diseases of the muscular system.
- The consequences of prolonged use of glucocorticoids.
Thus, the loss of muscle mass in a child is largely dependent on the mother. If she leads an unhealthy lifestyle and does not eat well, then all this will affect the development of the fetus and the state of health of the baby. Therefore, women who are preparing to become a mother should closely monitor themselves.
Clinical manifestations
What should you pay attention to first of all? Muscle hypotrophy, like any other disease, has certain symptoms, on the basis of which a pathological condition can be detected. Among the most characteristic manifestations can be identified:
- general weakness in the body;
- regular muscle pain;
- the impossibility of performing even simple movements;
- a strong decrease in muscle mass;
- the formation of hypodermis in the peritoneum and sternum;
- severe depletion of the body.
If these symptoms occur, you must go to the hospital, because muscle dystrophy in its manifestations is similar to some other serious diseases.
Classification
Muscle hypotrophy is divided into different types depending on a number of factors. According to the time of manifestation, the disease is distinguished:
Depending on the degree of muscle damage, pathology happens:
The first in medical practice is extremely rare. With it, damage to the muscle tissue of the whole body occurs. Localized, in turn, is the most common. Hypotrophy of the muscles of the lower extremities can occur in the thigh or lower leg. With dystrophy of the upper extremities, the lesion can spread to the hand, forearm, and shoulder. More details about the various degrees of the disease will be discussed in the following sections.
Hypotrophy of the upper limbs
In the vast majority of cases, it develops as a result of poor blood circulation in the hands or insufficient supply of muscle tissue with nutrients. At the same time, the motor function is retained in the upper extremities, however, the execution of movements and basic tasks is significantly complicated. The following causes may be behind this dangerous disease:
- regular excessive physical strain;
- various rheumatoid diseases;
- diabetes;
- thyroid dysfunction;
- excessive obesity;
- autoimmune disorders;
- the consequences of injuries;
- congenital physiological abnormalities.
This kind of disease is characterized by a slow sluggish development. Regardless of the degree of damage to muscle fibers, a person retains sensitivity and partial mobility of his hands.
Hypotrophy of the lower extremities
So what do you need to know about this? As mentioned earlier, this kind of pathology is one of the most frequently diagnosed. Moreover, in most cases, patients exhibit hypotrophy of the thigh muscles. Depending on the severity of the lesion, the disease is divided into 3 degrees, each of which is characterized by a different symptomatology. Among the main clinical manifestations, experts distinguish the following:
- constant pain of varying intensity in the lower limbs;
- physical weakness;
- trouble walking
- decrease in muscle mass.
If muscle hypotrophy was diagnosed in time and treatment was started at its early stages of development, then the disease can be completely cured without any health consequences, so a person can return to his usual lifestyle.
Diagnosis of the disease
To select the most optimal treatment program, a qualified specialist must first identify the problem. The following laboratory tests are used to diagnose malnutrition:
- oral questioning of the patient;
- general blood analysis;
- electromyography;
- nervous and muscle biopsy.
If a person simultaneously has any diseases of various origins that occur in a chronic form, then the doctor can refer him to a consultation with other qualified specialists and prescribe additional tests that will allow you to get the most complete clinical picture.
The main methods of therapy
The treatment of muscle hypotrophy is aimed at eliminating the causes of its development, therefore an integrated approach is very important. The main efforts of the doctor are to reduce the intensity of the manifestation of symptoms and the impact on the mechanisms of development of the dystrophic process. In this case, it is very important to normalize blood circulation so that the affected muscle fibers begin to receive a sufficient amount of nutrients. The treatment program may include the following activities:
- taking medications;
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- physiotherapy;
- massage;
- UHF therapy.
In addition, the patient should reconsider his daily lifestyle. Particular attention should be paid to food quality. The daily diet must be balanced so that the body receives as many vitamins and minerals as possible.
Drug therapy
For the treatment of malnutrition, drugs are used to improve blood flow in the peripheral vessels. Among the most effective are the following:
- Trental;
- Curantyl
- "Petroxyphylline";
- "Vazaprostan";
- Dextran
Also, doctors often prescribe "No-shpu" to patients. It not only promotes the expansion of blood vessels, but also improves the supply of soft and muscle tissues with nutrients. Normalization of metabolic processes well contribute tablets "Curantil". This is a new generation drug with a unique formula, thanks to the bark, high efficiency is achieved in the treatment of many diseases.
The drug "Curantyl"
Currently, on sale you can find many drugs used to treat muscle pathologies. But one of the best, according to profiled specialists, is Curantil. The price of the drug is higher than some analogues, however, it shows better results. The tool is available in the form of tablets with different dosages of the active substance. The drug improves blood circulation, increases the strength of the walls of blood vessels and reduces the likelihood of blood clots. Curantil for the following diseases:
- coronary artery disease;
- thrombosis;
- cardiovascular failure;
- arterial hypertension;
- coronary arteriosclerosis;
- deterioration of placental circulation;
- fetal oxygen starvation;
- endarteritis.
With regard to contraindications, the Courantil tablets are not recommended for use by people who have the following problems:
- cerebral or myocardial infarction;
- acute angina pectoris;
- renal or liver failure;
- hypertonic disease;
- dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system;
- cardiac arrhythmia;
- aortic stenosis;
- coronary sclerosis;
- individual intolerance to any of the components of the drug.
Among the side effects of the drug, nausea and vomiting, as well as indigestion, can be distinguished. However, they are extremely rare, and in most cases, therapy is normal. The dosage and duration of administration are selected by the doctor for each patient individually, depending on the clinical picture and the form of the course of hypotrophy. As for the price of Curantil, it varies from 450 to 830 rubles.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
What are they? To increase the effectiveness of treatment, medications are combined with physiotherapy. Most often, the following procedures are prescribed to patients:
- electromagnetic therapy;
- laser therapy;
- biostimulation;
- iontophoresis;
- therapeutic exercises for damaged limbs;
- low-intensity magnetotherapy.
According to medical statistics, if treatment for muscle dystrophy was started in the early stages of its course, then with the use of medicines and physiotherapeutic procedures, a positive effect is observed approximately one and a half months after the start of therapy.
UHF therapy
With hypotrophy, good results can be achieved when exposed to low-frequency electric pulses on affected muscles. UHF therapy involves the use of the following treatment methods:
- magnetotherapy;
- electrostatic massage;
- pneumatic massage;
- electrical stimulation;
- magnetostimulation;
- heat therapy.
The above procedures contribute to the improvement of blood flow to muscle tissues and the normalization of metabolic processes, so that the affected areas begin to receive more nutrients and gradually recover and gain their former tone. In addition, the patient should regularly perform special physical exercises that increase the effectiveness of physiotherapy procedures.
A few words about food quality
The main reason for the development of muscular dystrophy is a metabolic disorder, as well as a deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body. Therefore, the patient should adhere to a special diet aimed at replenishing the supply of nutrients.
The diet must necessarily contain foods that contain a large amount of vitamins A, B and D. To increase muscle tone, you should take protein shakes. You should also eat as many fresh vegetables as possible. Especially useful are bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers and carrots. Of animal products, natural cottage cheese and non-pasteurized milk are recommended.
Conclusion
Muscular hypotrophy is a serious disease that not only brings a lot of inconvenience to a person’s daily life, but can also lead to disability. However, if you go to the hospital on time and quickly begin treatment, then the pathology can be completely cured without any consequences. Therefore, when the first symptoms occur, immediately make an appointment with the doctor. Do not attempt to self-medicate, as this can be very dangerous.