What is the danger of lack of physical activity. Weakness in the muscles: causes and treatment Lack of motor activity

Muscle weakness or myasthenia is a decrease in the contractility of one or more muscles. This symptom can be observed in any part of the body. Muscle weakness in the legs and arms is more common.

A variety of diseases can act as causes of muscle weakness, from injuries to neurological pathologies.

Manifestations of muscle weakness can begin to develop from the age of 20. Muscle weakness in a child is less common. Most often, myasthenia gravis occurs in women.

Treatment of muscle weakness - medication and physiotherapy.

Causes of muscle weakness

The main cause of muscle weakness is damage to the junctions of nerve endings with muscles (synapses). As a result, the primary cause of the disease is a disorder of innervation, all other factors are its consequences.

Muscle innervation is provided by a special substance - acetylcholine. With myasthenia, acetylcholine is perceived by the patient's immune system as a foreign substance, and in connection with this, it begins to produce antibodies to it. The conduction of the nerve impulse to the muscle is disrupted, which leads to the development of weakness in the muscles. But at the same time, the muscles continue to retain their capabilities, since alternative life support systems are launched in the human body, compensating to some extent for this shortcoming.

Muscle weakness can be a symptom of various diseases. In some cases, it simply indicates fatigue, and in others, damage to the tendons, muscles, joints, bones, diseases of the nervous system. Some weakness in the muscles always occurs during illness and, as a rule, is one of the signs of aging.

Immediate causes of muscle weakness include:

Neurological diseases: multiple sclerosis, stroke, cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, nerve damage, Bell's palsy;
Diseases of the endocrine system: Addison's disease, thyrotoxicosis, low levels of calcium or potassium in the body, hyperparathyroidism, diabetes mellitus;
Various intoxications: organophosphate poisoning, botulism;
Muscle diseases: muscular dystrophies, polymyositis, mitochondrial myopathies;
Other causes: poliomyelitis, anemia, emotional overload, stress, asthenic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis.

Muscle weakness in the legs can also occur with varicose veins, arthritis, scoliosis, and herniated discs.

Muscle weakness in a child is most often caused by pathologies of the nervous system. Decreased muscle tone in newborns is usually the result of birth trauma.

Symptoms of muscle weakness

The state of muscle weakness is characterized by a pronounced decrease in strength in one or more muscles. Weakness in the muscles must be distinguished from a state of general fatigue.

Muscle weakness can be:

Objective. The fact of a decrease in strength in the muscle is confirmed by a medical examination;
Subjective. It is characterized by the fact that the patient himself feels weakness in a certain muscle, but the results of a medical examination indicate the preservation of strength in it.

Signs of myasthenia gravis first appear on those muscles that are weak due to the reflex nature of their functioning. The first symptoms of the disease can be observed on the muscles of the eyes. This results in drooping of the eyelids and dual perception of the image. The severity of this symptom may vary depending on the time of day and the amount of physical activity.

Then there are the so-called bulbar signs, which are associated with disorders in the activity of the swallowing, speech, chewing muscles. After a short conversation, a person’s voice may “sit down”, it becomes difficult for him to pronounce some sounds (sonorous, hissing), he begins to “swallow” the endings of words.

Quite serious consequences threaten the violation of the functioning of the muscles that provide breathing.

Muscular weakness in the legs is manifested by rapid fatigue of the lower extremities, trembling in them. These symptoms may occur due to prolonged standing work, wearing shoes with high heels.

Diagnosis of muscle weakness

To determine the causes of weakness in the muscles, the doctor conducts a patient interview and physical examination. Additional laboratory tests, including a muscle biopsy, may also be prescribed.

When interviewing a patient, the doctor determines when the first signs of muscle weakness appeared, in which muscle groups they are localized, with what they are associated.

When making a diagnosis, it is also important to know what diseases the patient has suffered, what is his neurological heredity, concomitant diseases.

During the study of the musculature, the volume of muscle tissue, its turgor and symmetry of the location are established, tendon reflexes are evaluated.

To clarify the diagnosis, functional tests are carried out with the patient making certain movements.

Treatment of muscle weakness

Methods for treating muscle weakness depend on what disease it is caused by.

Patients with muscle weakness are prescribed drug symptomatic treatment and a certain set of physiotherapy procedures that help restore normal muscle function.

Naturally, the main treatment for muscle weakness is medication. For each patient, a scheme for taking drugs that block the destruction of acetylcholine is individually selected. These drugs include metipred, prozerin, prednisolone, kalimin. The use of these drugs helps to quickly restore muscle strength. But since high doses of these drugs are used, the initial treatment of muscle weakness is carried out only in a hospital setting.

At the same time, the patient is prescribed drugs that suppress the immune system. Exchange plasmapheresis can also be used.

Periodic maintenance therapy should be carried out throughout life.

If muscle weakness is caused by muscle overwork, then in this case it is necessary to provide the muscles with regular rest, reconsider their lifestyle, and reduce physical activity.

If there is severe pain and weakness in the muscles after training, it is necessary to revise the set of exercises, taking into account the general condition of the body and existing chronic diseases.

Also of great importance is a balanced diet, adequate drinking regime, wearing comfortable shoes.

Thus, muscle weakness is a symptom that indicates the presence of certain problems in the human body or an unhealthy lifestyle (excessive physical and psycho-emotional stress, malnutrition, wearing uncomfortable shoes). If muscle weakness is caused by certain diseases, then special treatment is necessary to eliminate it (sometimes throughout life); in other situations, it is enough to correct the system of attitude to one's health.

Weak and inefficient muscles often create problems for which little is done until they become serious. Although strength and normal muscle action give facies to the figure, grace to the movement, both are now rare.

Weak muscle tone impairs blood circulation, interferes with normal lymph circulation, interferes with efficient digestion, often causes constipation, and sometimes does not allow you to control urination or even empty your bladder. Often, due to muscle weakness, the internal organs descend or lie on top of each other. The clumsiness, muscle tension, and poor coordination very often seen in malnourished children and usually left unattended are very similar to the symptoms seen in muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.

Muscle weakness

Muscles are made up primarily of protein, but also contain essential fatty acids; therefore, the body's supply of these nutrients must be sufficient to maintain muscle strength. The chemical nature of muscles and the nerves that control them is very complex. And since countless enzymes, coenzymes, activators and other compounds are involved in their contraction, relaxation and repair, every nutrient is needed in one way or another. For example, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins B6 and D are needed to relax muscles, so muscle spasms, tics, and tremors are usually relieved by increasing the amount of these substances in food.

Potassium is needed for muscle contraction in the body. In just a week, healthy volunteers who received refined food, similar to the one we eat every day, developed muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, constipation, and depression. All this almost immediately disappeared when they were given 10 g of potassium chloride. Severe potassium deficiency, often due to stress, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney damage, diuretics, or cortisone, causes slowness, lethargy, and partial paralysis. Weakened bowel muscles allow bacteria to release large amounts of colic-causing gases, and spasm or displacement of the bowel can lead to blockage. When death occurs due to potassium deficiency, an autopsy reveals severe muscle damage and scarring.

In some people, the need for potassium is so high that they periodically experience paralysis. Examinations of these patients show that salty foods high in fat and carbohydrates, and especially sweet cravings, stress, as well as ACTH (a hormone produced by the pituitary gland) and cortisone, reduce the level of potassium in the blood. Even if the muscles become weak, flaccid, or partially paralyzed, recovery occurs within minutes of taking potassium. Foods that are high in protein, low in salt, or rich in potassium can increase abnormally low levels of potassium in the blood.

When muscle weakness leads to fatigue, flatulence, constipation, and an inability to empty the bladder without the aid of a catheter, potassium chloride tablets are especially helpful. Most people, however, can get potassium by eating fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens, and by avoiding refined foods.

Vitamin E deficiency is a common, though rarely recognized, cause of muscle weakness. Just as red blood cells are destroyed by the action of oxygen on essential fatty acids, muscle cells throughout the body are destroyed in the absence of this vitamin. This process is especially active in adults who poorly absorb fats. The nuclei of muscle cells and the enzymes necessary for muscle contraction cannot form without vitamin E. Its deficiency greatly increases the oxygen demand of muscle tissue, prevents the use of certain amino acids, allows phosphorus to be excreted in the urine, and leads to the destruction of a large number of B vitamins. All this impairs muscle function and recovery. Moreover, with an insufficient supply of vitamin E to the body, the number of enzymes that break down dead muscle cells increases by about 60 times. With a deficiency of vitamin E, calcium accumulates in the muscles and may even be deposited.

In pregnant women, muscle weakness due to vitamin E deficiency, often caused by iron supplements, sometimes makes labor difficult because the amount of enzymes needed to contract the muscles involved in labor is reduced. When patients with muscle weakness, pain, wrinkled skin and loss of muscle elasticity were given 400 mg of vitamin E per day, a marked improvement was observed in both old and young. Those who suffered from muscle disorders for years recovered almost as quickly as those who were ill for a short time.

Prolonged stress and Addison's disease

Advanced adrenal exhaustion, as in Addison's disease, is characterized by lethargy, agonizing fatigue, and extreme muscle weakness. Although at the beginning of stress it is mainly the protein of the lymph nodes that is broken down, with prolonged stress, muscle cells are also destroyed. Moreover, depleted adrenal glands cannot produce a hormone that stores the nitrogen of destroyed cells in the body; normally, this nitrogen is reused to build amino acids and repair tissues. Under such circumstances, muscles quickly lose strength even with protein-rich foods.

A depleted adrenal gland is also unable to produce enough of the salt-retaining hormone aldosterone. So much salt is lost in the urine that potassium leaves the cells, further slowing down contractions, weakening and partially or completely paralyzing the muscles. Potassium intake can increase the amount of this nutrient in the cells, but in this case, salt is especially needed. People with depleted adrenal glands usually have low blood pressure, which means they don't have enough salt.

The adrenal glands are quickly depleted in pantothenic acid deficiency, causing the same condition as prolonged stress.

Because stress plays a role in all muscle disorders, any diagnosis should emphasize restoration of adrenal function. An anti-stress program should be carefully followed, especially in the case of Addison's disease. Recovery is faster if the “anti-stress formula” is taken around the clock. No essential nutrient should be overlooked.

Fibrositis and myositis

Inflammation and swelling of the connective tissue of muscles, especially the membrane, is called fibrositis or synovitis, and inflammation of the muscle itself is called myositis. Both diseases are caused by mechanical damage or strain, and inflammation indicates that the body is not producing enough cortisone. A diet high in vitamin C, pantothenic acid, and 24-hour milk intake usually provide immediate relief. In the event of an injury, scar tissue can quickly form, so vitamin E should be given special attention.

Fibrositis and myositis often affect women during menopause, when the need for vitamin E is especially great, these diseases usually cause considerable discomfort before the cause is found. Daily intake of vitamin E with myositis brings a noticeable improvement.

Pseudoparalytic myasthenia gravis

The term myasthenia gravis itself means a severe loss of muscle strength. This disease is characterized by emaciation and progressive paralysis that can affect any part of the body, but most often the muscles of the face and neck. Double vision, droopy eyelids, frequent choking, difficulty breathing, swallowing and speaking, poor articulation and stuttering are typical symptoms.

Isotopic studies with radioactive manganese have shown that the enzymes involved in muscle contractions contain this element, and when muscles are damaged, its amount in the blood increases. Manganese deficiency causes muscle and nerve dysfunction in experimental animals and muscle weakness and poor coordination in livestock. Although the amounts of manganese needed for humans have not yet been established, people suffering from muscle weakness can be recommended to include wheat bran and whole grain bread in the diet (the richest natural sources).

This disease causes defects in the production of a compound that transmits nerve impulses to the muscles, which is formed in the nerve endings from choline and acetic acid and is called acetylcholine. In a healthy body, it is constantly broken down and formed again. In pseudoparalytic myasthenia gravis, this compound is either produced in negligible amounts or not at all. The disease is usually treated with drugs that slow down the breakdown of acetylcholine, but until nutrition is complete, this approach is another example of whipping a downtrodden horse.

The production of acetylcholine requires a whole battery of nutrients: vitamin B, pantothenic acid, potassium and many others. The lack of choline itself causes an underproduction of acetylcholine and leads to muscle weakness, damage to muscle fibers and extensive growth of scar tissue. All this is accompanied by the loss of a substance called creatine in the urine, which invariably indicates the destruction of muscle tissue. Although choline can be synthesized from the amino acid methionine, provided there is an abundance of protein in the diet, folic acid, vitamin B12, and other B vitamins are also required for the synthesis of this vitamin.

Vitamin E increases the excretion and utilization of acetylcholine, but with insufficient supply of vitamin E, the enzyme necessary for the synthesis of acetylcholine is destroyed by oxygen. This also causes muscle weakness, muscle breakdown, scarring and loss of creatine, but vitamin E supplementation corrects the situation.

Since pseudoparalytic myasthenia gravis is almost inevitably preceded by prolonged stress, aggravated by medications that increase the body's needs, an anti-stress diet, unusually rich in all nutrients, is recommended. Lecithin, yeast, liver, wheat bran, and eggs are great sources of choline. The daily diet should be divided into six small, protein-rich meals, richly supplemented with an "anti-stress formula", magnesium, B-vitamin tablets with a lot of choline and inositol, and possibly manganese. You should eat salty for a while and increase your potassium intake through an abundance of fruits and vegetables. When swallowing is difficult, all foods can be crushed and supplements taken in liquid form.

Multiple sclerosis

This disease is characterized by calcareous plaques in the brain and spinal cord, muscle weakness, loss of coordination, choppy movements or spasm of the muscles of the arms, legs, and eyes, and poor bladder control. Autopsies show a marked decrease in the amount of lecithin in the brain and in the myelin sheath surrounding the nerves, where lecithin is normally high. And even the remaining lecithin is abnormal because it contains saturated fatty acids. In addition, multiple sclerosis is most prevalent in countries where high saturated fat intakes are invariably associated with low blood levels of lecithin. Perhaps because of the reduced need for lecithin, people with multiple sclerosis are less likely to be prescribed a low-fat diet, and it is shorter. Significant improvement is achieved when three or more tablespoons of lecithin are added to food daily.

It is likely that a lack of any nutrient - magnesium, B vitamins, choline, inositol, essential fatty acids - can exacerbate the course of the disease. Muscle spasms and weakness, involuntary shuddering and inability to control the bladder quickly disappeared after taking magnesium. In addition, when patients suffering from multiple sclerosis were given vitamins E, B6 and other B vitamins, the development of the disease slowed down: even in advanced cases, improvement was observed. Liming of soft tissues was prevented by vitamin E.

In most patients, multiple sclerosis occurred due to severe stress during a period when their diet lacked pantothenic acid. Lack of vitamins B1, B2, B6, E or pantothenic acid - the need for each of them increases many times under stress - leads to nerve degradation. Multiple sclerosis is often treated with cortisone, which means that every effort should be made to stimulate normal hormone production.

muscle dystrophy

Any experimental animals kept on a diet deficient in vitamin E developed muscle dystrophy after a certain period of time. Muscle dystrophy and atrophy in humans turn out to be completely identical to this artificially induced disease. Both in laboratory animals and in humans, with a deficiency of vitamin E, the need for oxygen increases many times over, the amount of many enzymes and coenzymes necessary for normal muscle function decreases markedly; muscles throughout the body are damaged and weakened when the essential fatty acids that make up the muscle cell structure are destroyed. Numerous nutrients leave the cells, and muscle tissue is eventually replaced by scar tissue. Muscles split lengthwise, which, incidentally, makes one wonder if a lack of vitamin E plays a major role in the formation of a hernia, especially in children, whose deficiency is simply terrifying.

For many months or even years before a diagnosis of dystrophy is made, amino acids and creatine are lost in the urine, indicating muscle breakdown. If vitamin E is given at the onset of the disease, the destruction of muscle tissue is completely stopped, as indicated by the disappearance of creatine in the urine. In animals, and possibly in humans, the disease develops faster if the diet also lacks protein and / or vitamins A and B6, but even in this case, dystrophy is cured by vitamin E alone.

With prolonged vitamin E deficiency, human muscle dystrophy is irreversible. Attempts to use massive doses of vitamin E and many other nutrients have not been successful. The fact that the disease is “hereditary”—several children in the same family can suffer from it—and that chromosomal changes have been found leads doctors to argue that it cannot be prevented. The hereditary factor can only be an unusually high genetic need for vitamin E, which is necessary for the formation of the nucleus, chromosomes and the entire cell.

The moment when muscle dystrophy or atrophy becomes irreversible has not been precisely established. In the early stages, these diseases can sometimes be treated with fresh wheat bran oil, pure vitamin E, or vitamin E in combination with other nutrients. When diagnosed early, some patients have recovered by simply adding wheat bran and homemade freshly ground bread to their meals. In addition, the muscle strength of people suffering from this disease for many years improved markedly when they were given a variety of vitamin and mineral supplements.

Children with muscle dystrophy at the beginning of life began to sit up, crawl and walk later, ran slowly, climbed stairs with difficulty and got up after a fall. Often the child was ridiculed for years as being lazy and clumsy before going to the doctor. Since the huge masses of scar tissue are commonly mistaken for muscles, mothers of such children were often proud of how "muscular" their child was. Eventually, the scar tissue shrinks, causing either excruciating back pain or shortening of the Achilles tendon, resulting in as much disability as the weakness of the muscles themselves. It is not uncommon for the Achilles tendon to be surgically lengthened many years before a diagnosis of dystrophy is made, yet vitamin E is not given as a preventive measure.

Every person with impaired muscle function should immediately take a urine test and, if creatine is found in it, noticeably improve nutrition and include a large amount of vitamin E in it. Muscle dystrophy could be completely eradicated if all pregnant women and artificial children were given vitamin E and eliminated from food refined foods, devoid of it.

Proper nutrition

Like most diseases, muscle dysfunction stems from a variety of deficiencies. Until nutrition is adequate in all nutrients, neither recovery nor preservation of health can be expected.

Many people face the problem of muscle weakness. And everyone seeks to get rid of the feeling of discomfort, resorting to various methods. But it is not always possible to achieve the desired result. In this regard, the concept of effectiveness of therapy arises. For its implementation, it is necessary to establish the cause of the appearance of muscle weakness.

What is muscle weakness and muscle fatigue

Weakness in the muscles is a common phenomenon that includes several concepts. These include dysfunction, tiredness and fatigue.

Primary muscle weakness (true)- non-functioning of the muscle, a decrease in power capabilities, the inability of a person to perform an action with the help of a muscle. It is also typical for trained people.

Asthenia - muscle fatigue, exhaustion. The functional abilities of the muscles are preserved, but more effort is required to perform actions. It is typical for people suffering from insomnia, chronic fatigue and heart, kidney, and lung disease.

Muscle fatigue- rapid loss of the ability of the muscles to function normally and their slow recovery, which is often observed with asthenia. Common in people with myotonic dystrophy.

Causes of muscle weakness in the legs and arms

Almost everyone experiences muscle weakness and there are a number of reasons for this:

neurological(stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord and brain injuries, meningitis, poliomyelitis, encephalitis, autoimmune Guillain-Barré disease).
Lack of physical activity(muscle atrophy due to inactivity).
Bad habits(smoking, alcohol, cocaine and other psychoactive substances).
Pregnancy(lack of iron (Fe), increased physical activity, high hormonal levels).
Old age(weakening of muscles as a result of age-related changes).
Injuries(damage to muscle tissue, sprain and dislocation).
Medications(certain drugs or their overdose can cause muscle weakness - antibiotics, anesthetics, oral steroids, interferon and others).
Intoxication(poisoning of the body with narcotic and other harmful substances).
Oncology(malignant and benign tumors).
infections(tuberculosis, HIV, syphilis, severe influenza, hepatitis C, Lyme disease, glandular fever, polio and malaria).
Cardiovascular diseases(inability to provide the muscles with the necessary amount of blood).
Endocrine pathologies(diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, electrolyte imbalance).
Problems with the spine(curvature, osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia).
Genetic diseases(myasthenia gravis, myotonic dystrophy and muscle dystrophy).
Sciatic or femoral nerve injury(muscle weakness in only one limb).
Chronic lung disease(COPD, lack of oxygen) and kidneys(salt imbalance, release of toxins into the blood, lack of vitamin D and calcium (Ca)).

Lack of sleep, dehydration, anemia, anxiety, and depression can also lead to muscle weakness.

Symptoms of muscle weakness

A feeling of weakness in the arms, legs or body is often accompanied by drowsiness, fever, chills, impotence and apathy. Each of the symptoms informs about serious problems of the body as a whole.

There are frequent manifestations of muscle weakness at elevated temperature, which is a consequence of inflammatory processes - bronchitis, a common cold, cold kidneys, etc. The slightest jump in temperature leads to incorrect work of metabolic processes, and the body gradually loses its functional abilities. Therefore, at temperature, weakness and muscle weakness are observed, and not only in the limbs.

Manifestations of the disease are also characteristic of intoxication. Poisoning of the body can be caused by stale foods, hepatitis, a certain virus, etc.

In addition, weakness and drowsiness can be a dangerous pathology of an allergic and infectious nature. Brucellosis is considered the most dangerous, often depriving its carrier of life.

There is weakness in the muscles and blood infections - leukemia and myeloid leukemia. The same symptomatology is manifested in rheumatism.

Contribute to the formation of the main symptom and somatic diseases, including amyloidosis, Crohn's disease (associated with digestion), kidney failure and cancerous tumors.

Disorders of the endocrine system lead to muscle weakness, as do epilepsy, neurasthenia, depression and neurosis.

Myasthenia. How to overcome muscle weakness (video)

The video talks about muscle weakness, what it is and the reasons for its occurrence. How to deal with such a phenomenon as myasthenia gravis. And what are the consequences of the lack of timely therapy.

Muscle weakness in VVD, depression, neurosis

VVD (vegetative-vascular dystonia) manifests itself in several diseases, including hormonal disorders and mitochondrial pathology. A number of symptoms are formed against the background of autonomic dysfunction of the vascular system and heart muscle. This is what leads to circulatory disorders.

As a result, the limbs do not receive enough oxygen and red blood cells. Difficulty removing carbon dioxide from the body. This causes severe weakness, or even body aches, and when the VVD is running, fainting.

The best way to eliminate the disease is physical activity. To normalize metabolic processes, lactic acid is needed, the production of which stops with low physical activity. Doctors recommend moving more - walking, running, doing daily workouts.

Drug and folk therapies are not only ineffective, but are also fraught with complications in case of muscle weakness against the background of VVD.

Depression against the background of disappointment, loss, bad mood and other difficulties can drive you into a melancholy state. Symptoms may include lack of appetite, nausea, dizziness, strange thoughts, pain in the heart - all this manifests itself in the form of weakness, including muscle weakness.

With depression, overcoming muscle weakness will help such procedures:

positive emotions;
help of a psychotherapist (with severe depression).

Neurosis is characterized by nervous exhaustion of the body through prolonged stress. Often the disease accompanies VVD. In addition to the physical, there is also mental weakness. To eliminate the consequences, a set of measures is required, including a change in lifestyle, giving up bad habits, playing sports, walking in the fresh air, as well as drug therapy and a course of psychotherapy from a specialist.

Muscle weakness in a child

The occurrence of muscle weakness is typical not only for adults, but also for children. Often they have a time difference between the supply of a nerve signal and the subsequent reaction of the muscles. And this explains the behavior of babies who are unable to keep the body or limbs in a fixed position for a long time.

The causes of muscle weakness in a child can be:

myasthenia gravis;
congenital hypothyroidism;
botulism;
rickets;
muscular dystrophy and spinal atrophy;
blood poisoning;
consequences of drug therapy;
an excess of vitamin D;
Down syndrome (Prader-Willi, Marfan).

With the development of muscle weakness, regardless of its cause, the child's appearance changes.

Primary symptoms of muscle weakness in a child:

using the limbs as a support through their placement to the sides;
involuntary placement of hands, slipping when lifting by the armpits (the child cannot hang on the parent's arms with the armpits);
inability to keep the head straight (lowering, tilting);
lack of flexion of the limbs during sleep (arms and legs are located along the body);
general delay in physical development (inability to hold objects, sit upright, crawl and roll over).

Therapy depends on the cause and degree of muscle dysfunction. Specialists such as an orthopedist, physiotherapist, neurologist, and others may prescribe the following treatments:

Special exercises.
Proper nutrition.
Development of coordination of movements, as well as fine motor skills.
Development of posture and formation of gait.
Physiotherapy procedures.
Medicines (anti-inflammatory and tonic muscles).
Sometimes a trip to a speech therapist (improvement of speech).

It is possible to restore muscle function in a child with any diagnosis, but subject to a timely visit to the doctor.

When to see a doctor

Often, muscle weakness is the result of overwork or temporary weakness. But in some cases, it may indicate the presence of a serious illness. And if the weakness is intermittent or permanent, you should immediately visit a doctor.

To find out the cause of discomfort, such specialists as a therapist, neurologist, endocrinologist, surgeon and others will help. You will also need to pass some tests and undergo a series of examinations.

If muscle weakness is rare, there is no sensation of pain or numbness, and it resolves quickly, doctors recommend doing the following on your own:

balance the diet;
drink more purified water;
take more walks in the fresh air.

For other manifestations of muscle weakness, it is necessary to make an appointment with a specialist to eliminate the possible disease as soon as possible. And self-medication in such cases is contraindicated.

Diagnostics

Before prescribing effective treatment, specialists carry out the necessary diagnostic measures, including instrumental and laboratory examinations. For a patient with muscle weakness, the following procedures are provided:

Consultation of a neurologist.
Blood test (general and antibodies).
Cardiogram of the heart.
Examination of the thymus.
Electromyography (determination of the amplitude of muscle potential).

Treatment

If muscle weakness is caused by overwork, it is enough to let the limbs rest after a power load or a long walk (especially in uncomfortable shoes). In other cases, appropriate therapy may be prescribed:

muscle development through special exercises;
medicines to improve brain activity and blood circulation;
drugs that remove toxins from the body;
antibacterial agents for infections in the spinal cord or brain;
increased neuromuscular activity through special drugs;
elimination of the consequences of poisoning;
surgical intervention aimed at removing tumors, abscesses and hematomas.

Increasing weakness on the left side may signal a stroke.

Folk methods

You can fight muscle weakness at home. To do this, you must take the following steps:

Take 2-3 tbsp. l. grape juice a day.
Drink 1 glass of unpeeled potato decoction three times a week.
Every evening, use an infusion of motherwort (10%) in volume? glass.
Make a mixture of walnuts and wild honey (proportions 1 to 1), eat every day (course - several weeks).
Include low-fat protein foods (fish, poultry) in your diet.
Increase your intake of foods containing iodine.
30 minutes before a meal, drink a mixture of 2 tbsp. l. sugar, ? cups of cranberry juice and 1 cup of lemon juice.
Take orally 30 minutes before eating tinctures of ginseng, aralia or lemongrass.
Do relaxing baths with the addition of essential oils or citrus fruits (water temperature should vary between 37-38 degrees Celsius).
2 tbsp juniper (berries) and 1 cup of boiling water will calm the nervous system, restore muscle tone.
Instead of water, drink a chilled infusion made from 1 tbsp. oat straw and 0.5 liters of boiling water.

Possible consequences and complications

Lack of physical activity provokes a decrease in muscle tone and entails a number of other problems. These should include:

deterioration in coordination;
slow metabolism (see also -);
decreased immunity (susceptibility to viral diseases);
problems with the heart muscle (tachycardia, bradycardia and hypotension);
swelling of the limbs;
excess weight gain.

Prevention

To avoid problems associated with muscle fatigue, it is recommended to follow a few simple rules:

Adhere to proper nutrition (with the inclusion in the diet of foods rich in protein and calcium, cereals, vegetables, herbs, honey, vitamins) and lifestyle.
Spend enough time working, resting and playing sports.
Control blood pressure.
Avoid stress and excessive fatigue.
Be outdoors.
Give up bad habits.
Contact your doctor if you have serious problems.

In old age, it is desirable to abandon a sedentary lifestyle, devote more time to therapeutic exercises and walks in the fresh air, and also not to neglect massage therapy.

The video deals with a congenital disease - dysplasia, characterized by leg and hand weakness, frequent dizziness and high blood pressure. Special exercises and proper breathing to eliminate weakness.
Muscle weakness is a phenomenon inherent in everyone. Everyone can fight the disease, especially in cases of overwork and lack of physical activity. But for more serious reasons, you will need the help of a specialist. He diagnoses the problem and prescribes effective treatment. Stick to the recommendations, and myasthenia gravis will bypass you.

Next article.

1. In what year and what competition did the name of the first winner of the Olympic Games appear

Koroibos (Koreb)?

a) in 786 BC in the fight; c) in 776 BC in discus throwing;

b) in 776 BC on the run; d) in 778 BC on the run.

2. Name the Roman emperor who in 394 AD. banned the holding of antique

Olympic Games?

a) Theodosius I; c) Nero;

b) Theodosius II; d) Julian.

3. With the development of strength endurance, the intensity of exercise is ...

a) 10-30% c) 60-70%

b) 20-50% d) 85-95%

4. In what year was the International Olympic Committee established?

a) 1898 c) 1923

b) 1911 d) 1894

5. In 1894 at the Paris Congress, the IOC, which consisted of only 13 members, was elected

first Russian. Who is he?

a) A.D. Butovsky c) V.G. Smirnov

b) N.N. Romanov d) S.P. Pavlov

6. For the first time at the Olympic Games in Mexico City - a mascot appeared. And under what talisman and

what games were held in Moscow?

a) XIX - jaguar; c) XXIV – tiger cub;

b) XXII - bear cub; d) XXIII - an eagle.

7. Hygiene is...

a) The field of ecology, which studies the features of the impact of the environment on humans;

b) Code of sanitary and epidemiological laws and regulations;

c) The field of medicine that studies the influence of the external environment on human health;

d) All of the above.

8. The following method is used to improve coordination endurance...

a) Interval; c) Variable;

b) Re-progressive; d) game.

9. Lead-up exercises are applied ...

a) If there are no supporting elements in the motor fund;

b) If the student is not physically developed enough;

c) If it is necessary to eliminate the causes of errors;

d) If the method of holistic-analytical exercise is applied.

10. Choose the correct definition for the term "physical exercise"?

a) This is a motor action used for physical improvement

person;

b) This is a motor action, dosed by the magnitude of the load and duration

execution;

c) This is a form of motor actions;

d) These are movements performed in a physical education lesson.

11. Under the concept of "sport" it is customary to refer to:

a) The historically established human activity aimed at the physical

improvement and achievement of high results when participating in competitions;

b) The historically established system of organization and management of the process of physical

education;

c) Purposeful pedagogical process during which applied

orientation of physical education;

d) The highest level of physical development and physical fitness of a person.

12. The maximum muscle tension is achieved when the muscles work in ...

a) yielding mode; c) holding mode;

b) Overcoming mode; d) Static mode.

13. The best conditions for developing explosive leg muscle strength are created during ...

a) Shuttle run; c) outdoor games;

b) Deep jumps; d) Barbell squats.

14. When carrying out hardening procedures, you must adhere to the basic principles

hardening. Determine what?

1. The principle of systematicity;

2. The principle of diversity; Answer options: a) 2,4,5

3. The principle of gradualness; b) 1,3,5

4. The principle of activity; c) 1,2,4

5. The principle of individuality. d) 3,4,5

15. When performing physical exercises, the load is regulated:

a) A combination of volume and intensity during the performance of motor actions;

b) Heart rate;

c) The degree of difficulties to be overcome;

d) Fatigue resulting from their implementation.

16. The amount of movements performed by a person in the process of life is combined into

a) Biological activity; c) motor activity;

b) Optimal activity; d) Physiological activity.

17. Indicate 3 principles of independent mastering of motor actions in physical

culture?

1. Low to high 4. Near to far

2. From the known to the unknown 5. From the subjective to the objective

3. From simple to complex 6. From mastered to unmastered

Answer options: a) 1,3,4

18. Complete the definition: “Strength is the ability to overcome ... or resist him for

check…..".

a) Internal resistance; muscle tension;

b) External resistance; muscle effort;

c) Physical exercises; internal capacity;

d) physical activity; muscle tension.

19. The minimum energy expenditure for muscular activity should be no more than

a) 1000-1300 kcal; c) 1300-1500 kcal;

b) 800-1100 kcal; d) 1400-1600 kcal.

20. The lack of muscle activity of a modern person is called:

a) Hypokinesia; c) hypoxia;

b) Atrophy; d) Hypertrophy.

21. Physical culture is ...

a) the subject at school; c) The process of improving human capabilities;

b) Performing exercises; d) Part of human culture.

22. What is the measure of endurance?

a) Range of motion; c) Time;

b) Muscle strength; d) The speed of the motor reaction.

23. The weight of a basketball should be…

a) not less than 537g, not more than 630g; c) not less than 573g, not more than 670g;

b) not less than 550g, not more than 645g; d) not less than 567g, not more than 650g.

24. Playing time in basketball consists of…

a) From 4 periods of 10 minutes; c) From 4 periods of 12 minutes;

b) From 3 periods of 8 minutes; d) From 6 periods of 10 minutes.

25. To prevent the development of flat feet, the following preventive measures are observed:

a) Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight, high heels or flats;

b) To reduce the deformation of the arch of the foot, use arch supports, constantly

perform corrective exercises that strengthen the muscles of the foot and lower leg;

c) Perform general developmental exercises, exercises for the lower extremities;

d) All of the above.

26. At what number of fouls a player must be removed from the game according to FIBA rules:

27. Physical education is focused on improving ...

a) Physical and mental qualities of people;

b) Techniques of motor actions;

c) human performance;

d) Natural physical properties of a person.

28. Physical development is understood ...

a) The process of changing the morphological and functional properties of the body throughout life;

b) The size of the muscles, the shape of the body, the functionality of breathing and

blood circulation, physical performance;

c) The process of improving physical qualities through physical exercises;

d) The level due to heredity and the regularity of physical activity

culture and sports.

29. By speed as a physical quality is understood ...

a) Ability to run fast

b) The ability to perform motor actions in a minimum time;

c) Human movements that ensure active movement in space;

d) The ability to maintain a high rate of movement while moving very quickly.

30. In what year and where for the first time did the Russian national team take part in the Olympic tournament

on football?

a) 1948 in London; c) 1920 in Belgium;

b) 1912 in Stockholm; d) 1904 in Canada.

31. What is the minimum number of players that a team must have in order to

allowed to play football?

a) At least 7; c) At least 8;

b) At least 6; d) At least 5.

32. What is the penalty in football: if the goalkeeper, while inside the penalty area,

touches the ball with hands outside of it?

a) Corner kick c) free kick

b) Free kick; d) 11 meter kick.

33. Testing the level of physical fitness means ...

a) Measurement of the level of development of basic physical qualities;

b) Measurement of height and weight;

c) Measurement of indicators of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems;

a) Elmeri Bury; c) Yasutaka Matsudaira;

b) William Morgan; d) Anatoly Eingorn.

35. How long in volleyball must the pitcher hit the ball after the whistle

first referee to serve?

a) 8 seconds; c) 10 seconds;

b) 3 seconds; d) 7 seconds.

36. The definition used in volleyball: "the action of the players near the net on the obstacle

the path of the ball directed by the opponent by raising the arm above the top of the net"

means...

a) attacking blow; c) Barrier;

b) Blocking; d) delay.

37. What should be the height of the net in volleyball for men?

a) 2m 43cm; c) 2m 47cm;

b) 2m 45cm; d) 2m 50cm.

38. The creator of the game of basketball is considered ...

a) H. Nilson; c) D. Naismith;

b) L. Ordin; d) F. Schiller.

39. When educating endurance, load modes are used, divided into

health, support, development and training. What frequency

heart rate causes maintenance mode?

a) 110 - 130 beats per minute; c) 140 - 160 beats per minute;

b) up to 140 beats per minute; d) above 160 beats per minute.

40. In the first ancient Olympic Games, held in 776 BC, athletes

competed in running at a distance equal to ...

a) One stage;

b) Double length of the stadium;

c) 400 meters;

d) During these games, no running was competed.

Key to vrprosy

question number	Correct answer	question number	Correct answer

1.2. DEFICIENCY OF MUSCLE ACTIVITY

Restriction of muscle activity is one of the most important components of the symptoms of hypokinetic syndrome. A long-term change in the volume of muscle activity leads to a decrease in energy consumption, a decrease in bioenergetics and the intensity of structural metabolism in the muscles, a weakening of tonic impulses from the muscles, and a decrease in the load on the skeletal system [Kovalenko E. A., Gurovsky N. N., 1980]. Proprioception from the muscles during vigorous activity is a powerful source that maintains a constant sufficient level of trophism in almost all organs and systems, including the brain and higher centers of endocrine regulation [Mogendovich M.R., 1965]. Constant muscle activity is vital not only for the normal function of most systems and organs, i.e. effectors as such, but also for the central nervous system. It is in the motor analyzer that all cortical afferentations converge and converge, not only proprioceptive, but also exteroceptive and interoceptive. L. I. Kakurin (1968) was the first to point out the appearance of moderate muscle pain in the back region already with 20 days of hypokinesia. Together with M. A. Cherepakhin (1968), he also noted a decrease in muscle tone. V. S. Gurfinkel et al. (1968) observed a violation of motor automatisms (synergy) during 70-day hypokinesia, which manifests itself in a disorder of such integral acts as standing and walking, and the underlying innervation relationships. It has been established that staying in conditions of hypokinesia leads to the development of atrophic changes in the muscles [Kozlovskaya IB et al., 1982; Hristova L. G. et al., 1986]. The support unloading factor is of great importance in the pathogenesis of motor disorders in conditions of hypokinesia. The decrease in the influx of support stimuli, which plays a leading role in the control system of postural-tonic reactions, caused by this factor, causes a decrease in the tone of the “anti-gravitational muscles” and, therefore, triggers a chain of reactions characteristic of the atonic syndrome [Hristova L. G. et al., 1986] . According to the same authors, after a 3-day stay under immersion conditions, the properties of action potentials of muscle fibers changed significantly, which was expressed in a decrease in the rate of propagation of excitation. The leading role in the development of changes belongs to disturbances in trophic influences resulting from a decrease in afferent inflow under conditions of support unloading, atony, and an almost complete absence of motor activity.

In rats with limited motor activity, changes in metabolism were revealed [Ilyina-Kakueva E. I., Novikov V. E., 1985]. In the soleus muscle, the activity of flavin oxidative enzymes changed, which was expressed in a significant increase in the activity of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and a significant decrease in the activity of succinate. The authors believe that the reason for the increase in the activity of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase is the need to utilize lipids released during the massive breakdown of the membrane structures of muscle fibers undergoing atrophic and dystrophic processes. A significant decrease in the activity of succinate dehydrogenase, which is one of the key enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and a slight change or no change in the activity of other enzymes of this cycle indicate a selective disturbance in the muscle fibers of the process of converting succinic acid. With the restriction of motor activity in the muscles, the content of glycogen was found [Blinder L. V., Oganov V. S., Potapov A. N., 1970; Cherny A. V., 1975; Ilyina-Kakueva E. I., Portugalov V. V., 1981; Zipman R. L. et al., 1970].

According to V. S. Oganov (1985), under conditions of prolonged bed rest, the functional capabilities of muscles decrease, and movement disorders observed after relative inactivation of the muscular apparatus are to a certain extent due to adaptive functional atrophy of individual muscles or muscle groups.

Changes in the physiological properties of the skeletal muscles of humans and animals with limited motor activity are considered as a manifestation of the functional plasticity of skeletal muscles.

Under conditions of antiorthostatic hypokinesia lasting up to 182 days, a twofold decrease in the electromechanical efficiency of muscles was found [Oganov V.S., 1982; Rakhmanov A. S. et al., 1982]. Maximum plantar flexion strength throughout the study was below baseline. Hypotrophy and hypodynamia of some muscle fibers under these conditions lead to the activation of an additional number of motor units to perform equivalent work. This is accompanied by a disproportionate increase in muscle electrical production and, accordingly, indicates a decrease in the electromechanical efficiency of the muscle as a whole. In the later periods of the experiment, the specific bioelectrical activity of the muscles increases, which, in the absence of a significant synchronous decrease in strength, may reflect their increased fatigue. This is consistent with the data on the restructuring of human muscle metabolism during hypokinesia towards the activation of glycolysis processes against the background of aerobic respiration inhibition [Kovalenko E. A., Gurovsky N. N., 1980].

Hypokinesia in rats lasting from 22 to 30 days is not accompanied by a noticeable decrease in muscle mass, with the exception of the shoulder muscle. On the contrary, an increase in the mass of the soleus muscle in relation to body weight was found. After 22 days of hypokinesia, there was a tendency to increase the average fiber diameter, isometric contraction and performance of muscle fibers, more noticeable in the soleus muscle and the medial head of the triceps brachii muscle; a tendency to decrease in efficiency was noted in the shoulder muscle [Oganov V.S., 1984]. Under conditions that are commonly defined as hypokinesia, inactivation of the postural muscles in rats apparently does not occur. There is evidence of an increase in the motor activity of animals as a manifestation of a stress reaction during a month of their stay in cramped cages [Gaevskaya MS et al., 1970]. During this period, rats showed signs of activation of the pituitary-adrenal system [Portugalov VV et al., 1968; Kazaryan V. A. et al., 1970], as well as other manifestations of the general stress reaction [Kirpchsk L. T., 1980]. With longer hypokinesia (90 and 120 days), there was a slowdown in the isometric contraction of soleus muscle preparations [Oganov V.S., Potapov A.N., 1973], while no changes in absolute muscle strength were found. The specific biomechanical effect of hypokinesia may be due to an increased load on the extensors of the foot in the form of prolonged stretching when animals are kept in cramped cages. During forceful unloading of the muscles (“hanging out” model), mass loss was noted in the soleus muscle and the medial head of the triceps brachii muscle, as well as a decrease in the average diameter of muscle fibers. In accordance with this, a decrease in the amplitude of their isometric contraction was noted [Oganov V. S. et al., 1980]. The leading biochemical factors that change the conditions for the functioning of various muscles under conditions of hypokinesia are their force unloading and a decrease in the tonic component of movements. With hypokinesia in dogs, created by muscle inactivation, functional atrophy of the gastrocnemius and plantar muscles developed, expressed in a decrease in strength, mechanical power and performance [Kozlova V.T. et al., 1977]. Functional insufficiency of the muscles active in the support period of the step, in turn, causes the disorganization of locomotion observed after experimental effects, manifested by instability of the gait, an increase in the rate of movements, lengthening of the support period and the phase of double support, an increase in the amplitude and speed of vertical movements in the distal joints of the hind limbs, disproportionate an increase in the energy of the bioelectric activity of the muscles. According to V. S. Oganov (1984), the changes that develop in the skeletal muscles of humans and animals during hypokinesia are a special case of the manifestation of their functional plasticity.