Flaccid Muscle

Flaccid muscles, also known as hypotonicity is a condition characterized by a decrease or loss of normal muscle tone due to the deterioration of the lower motor nerve cells.

Flaccid muscles are the descriptive of muscle loss due to inactivity, improper nutrition and certain health problems such as high potassium and brain damage. Flaccid muscles make everyday tasks difficult to accomplish and can severely affect your emotional state. Physical therapists and licensed physicians are a valuable resource in managing flaccid muscle problems, but prevention is always best.

Step 1

Wear protective gear during sports participation to decrease your risk of brain or spinal trauma. Helmets and shoulder pads help decrease the amount of force you experience when playing full contact sports. MayoClinic.com also suggests avoiding using your head or shoulders to remove obstacles or score points such as with football and baseball.

Step 2

Lift weights to help increase muscle strength and mass. Weight lifting requires your muscles to contract resulting in increased contractile filaments, according to BBC. As a result of this contractile filament increase, your muscles become stronger and larger helping them become less susceptible to the side effects of muscular injuries.

Step 3

Eat a well-balanced diet including lean proteins. Your muscle cells require protein to increase muscle mass and resistance. Poultry, fish and legumes are excellent sources of lean proteins that can be incorporated into any diet.

Step 4

Decrease your risk of falling by installing safety mats in your bath and at each door leading into your home. Most injuries that could result in flaccid muscles occur in the home. By keeping your home clutter-free and floors dry, you can decrease the risk of household accidents.

Step 5

Ask your doctor to perform a full blood work-up, checking your potassium levels are too high. You may be put on medications and asked to follow a low potassium or low cholesterol diet omitting certain foods such as bananas.

Thanks,

Health / Dec-2012