Serious Symptoms Of Muscle Atrophy

Numbness And Tingling

Muscle atrophy can occur in conjunction with neuropathy. Patients with both of these conditions could experience numbness and tingling, especially in the hands and feet. These symptoms are often the result of nerve damage, and a neurologist should evaluate patients dealing with them. During the exam, the neurologist will check the patient's sensation. This is typically done by touching a cotton swab or a blunt pin to specific areas of the hands, arms, legs, and feet. The patient will be asked what they can feel. Doctors may recommend nerve conduction studies, electromyography, or an autonomic reflex test to determine the cause of numbness and tingling.

Topical treatments, including capsaicin cream and lidocaine patches, can treat mild numbness and tingling. Pain relievers, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants may be beneficial in symptom management for more severe cases. Doctors may also suggest physical therapy or the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Patients should always let their doctor know if they notice an increase in numbness and tingling or if it spreads to new areas of the body.

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Difficulty Speaking And Swallowing

Many individuals dealing with muscle atrophy will also experience some amount of difficulty speaking and swallowing. These difficulties often appear as symptoms when an affected individual's muscle atrophy is linked to another underlying condition, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It is also worth noting that difficulty speaking and swallowing are among the wide collection of neuromuscular symptoms that are often seen due to muscular atrophy. Difficulty swallowing and speaking are also common symptoms of muscle atrophy when patients are dealing with this condition if malnutrition is the underlying cause or part of it.

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