Muscle atrophy takes place when a muscle partially or completely wastes away and its mass decreases. Most cases of muscle atrophy are usually results of other pre-existing medical conditions that include the loss of muscle mass as a side effect. Loss of muscle mass can be characterized by fatigue, extreme muscle weakness, or the actual "shrinking" of the physical body of the affected individual. Individuals who suffer from muscle atrophy may experience a significant decrease in quality of life, as the simplest actions usually performed without a thought may become difficult or impossible. For example, bending down to pick something up from the floor will be a difficult task, and the risk of falling when walking may also increase significantly. It is important to seek medical care when muscle atrophy is present in order to hopefully diagnose and treat its root cause and increase one's quality of life.

Treatment:
The mode of treatment may vary widely depending on the symptoms and intensity of the disease. It is easy to manage disuse muscle atrophy by practicing regular exercises. Anti-inflammatory drugs like corticosteroids are prescribed for decreasing inflammation and pain and for reducing the nerve compression. Chiropractor therapy is recommended for curing muscle atrophy due to nervous background. Stretching exercises are highly beneficial for the affected person to reduce the compression in the nerves.

Prevention:
Perhaps the best way to prevent muscle atrophy due to other medical conditions will be to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle in hopes of avoiding health complications altogether. Small, healthy habits, such as quitting smoking cigarettes, practicing safe sex, and not using recreational drugs can prevent common causes of muscle atrophy.

For aging individuals and the elderly, adopting an active lifestyle that includes a light exercise regimen can be an effective prevention method for age-related sarcopenia. While it may be difficult for individuals who are subjected to prolonged immobilization due to broken bones or hospitalization to take preventative measures against muscle atrophy, post-care exercise therapy may be implemented afterwards to regain lost muscle mass.
For individuals who are undergoing therapy that cites muscle atrophy as a side effect or consequence, the prescribing physician may be able to help by suggesting supplements or exercises that may help retain muscle mass. Either way, be sure to see your physician if you are suspecting a significant loss of muscle mass or muscle atrophy