Each week, Verywell explains a term from health, medicine, science, or technology.AtrophyHow to say it: Atrophy (at-TROW-fee)What it means: Loss of muscle.Where it comes from: From Greek,atrophos, “ill fed"OpenStax/Wikimedia CommonsWhere you might see or hear it: Your muscles get and stay strong when you use them. If you don’t use your muscles for a long time, they’ll shrink and become weak (atrophied).Weak muscles can happen if you get sick or hurt and have to stay in bed for a long time. Your provider might tell you that the weakness of your body is frommuscle atrophy.When you might want to use it: If you’re recovering from an injury or illness and aren’t able to move around much, you’ll probably be frustrated that you can’t keep up with your usual activities.It may help to explain to your loved ones that you’re having trouble because your muscles are weak afternot using themfor so long.You might be able to take small steps to start rebuilding your strength, such as doing gentle stretching. Eating enough protein is also important; your body uses it to build muscle.What to Do If You Have Muscle Atrophy After a Stroke
Each week, Verywell explains a term from health, medicine, science, or technology.
Atrophy
How to say it: Atrophy (at-TROW-fee)
What it means: Loss of muscle.
Where it comes from: From Greek,atrophos, “ill fed”
OpenStax/Wikimedia Commons
Where you might see or hear it: Your muscles get and stay strong when you use them. If you don’t use your muscles for a long time, they’ll shrink and become weak (atrophied).
Weak muscles can happen if you get sick or hurt and have to stay in bed for a long time. Your provider might tell you that the weakness of your body is frommuscle atrophy.
When you might want to use it: If you’re recovering from an injury or illness and aren’t able to move around much, you’ll probably be frustrated that you can’t keep up with your usual activities.
It may help to explain to your loved ones that you’re having trouble because your muscles are weak afternot using themfor so long.
You might be able to take small steps to start rebuilding your strength, such as doing gentle stretching. Eating enough protein is also important; your body uses it to build muscle.
What to Do If You Have Muscle Atrophy After a Stroke
1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pasiakos SM, McLellan TM, Lieberman HR.The effects of protein supplements on muscle mass, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: A systematic review.Sports Med. 2015;45(1):111-131. doi:10.1007/s40279-014-0242-2Additional ReadingMerriam-Webster.Definition of atrophy.
1 Source
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pasiakos SM, McLellan TM, Lieberman HR.The effects of protein supplements on muscle mass, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: A systematic review.Sports Med. 2015;45(1):111-131. doi:10.1007/s40279-014-0242-2Additional ReadingMerriam-Webster.Definition of atrophy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pasiakos SM, McLellan TM, Lieberman HR.The effects of protein supplements on muscle mass, strength, and aerobic and anaerobic power in healthy adults: A systematic review.Sports Med. 2015;45(1):111-131. doi:10.1007/s40279-014-0242-2
Merriam-Webster.Definition of atrophy.
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