Nutrition for muscular dystrophy. Weight loss due to poor diet

Dystrophy body is a pathology in which the metabolic process is disrupted, which slows down normal height, development and functionality of the body. This disorder can be diagnosed in people of any age category, but dystrophy is more common among children. There are several types and degrees of this pathological process.

Types and degrees of dystrophy

Dystrophy is classified according to several factors, including the form of manifestation and time of occurrence. Also, depending on the factors that provoked this disorder, primary and secondary forms of dystrophy are distinguished.

Forms of manifestation of dystrophy
The form of manifestation of dystrophy implies the nature pathological changes in the body that develop as a result of this disorder. Based on this factor, 3 forms of dystrophy are distinguished.

The forms of dystrophy are:

Hypotrophy. Characterized by insufficient weight in relation to body length and age of the patient.
Hypostature. With this form, there is a uniform lack of body weight and height.
Paratrophy. This pathology is manifested by excess weight in relation to body length.

The most significant and common form of dystrophy is malnutrition.

Types of dystrophy by time of appearance
According to the time of occurrence, dystrophy can be prenatal ( intrauterine) and postnatal ( extrauterine). The prenatal form of dystrophy develops at the time of intrauterine development, as a result of which the child is born with congenital pathology. Postnatal dystrophy occurs after birth and belongs to the category of acquired diseases. There is also a combined form of dystrophy, in which deviations in weight are a consequence of factors that acted both during intrauterine development and after birth.

Primary and secondary forms of dystrophy
The primary form of dystrophy develops as an independent pathology under the influence of various ( most often nutritional) factors. The secondary form of this disorder results from various diseases, which inhibit the normal absorption of food, which leads to metabolic disorders.

Degrees of dystrophy
There are 3 degrees of dystrophy, the main difference of which is the intensity of the symptoms of this disease. Also, the degrees of the disease differ in the weight deficiency that is diagnosed in the patient. To determine the degree of the disorder, a person's actual weight is compared with what he should have in accordance with his age and gender.

Lack of weight characteristic of various degrees of dystrophy are:

first degree– weight deficit varies from 10 to 20 percent;
second degree– lack of weight can range from 20 to 30 percent;
third degree– underweight exceeds 30 percent.

Causes of dystrophy in children

The causes of body dystrophy in people are divided into two categories. The first group includes factors under the influence of which prenatal, that is, congenital dystrophy develops. The second category includes circumstances against which postnatal, acquired dystrophy occurs.

Causes of prenatal dystrophy
Congenital dystrophy develops under the influence negative factors that disrupt the healthy formation and development of the fetus.

The causes of the congenital form of dystrophy are as follows:

The main cause of this form of the disorder is toxicosis, which affects a pregnant woman.
Conceiving a child before the age of 20 or after 40 years also significantly increases the likelihood of congenital dystrophy.
Regular stress, lack of balance and useful elements in the diet, smoking and other deviations from a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy are also among the causes of this disorder.
Prenatal dystrophy can be provoked by the expectant mother's work in hazardous work, which is accompanied by increased noise levels, vibrations, and interaction with chemicals.
Diseases of a pregnant woman play a major role in the development of congenital dystrophy ( impaired functionality endocrine system, heart disease, various chronic infections).
Incorrect attachment of the placenta, placental circulation disorders and other deviations from the norm normal course Pregnancies can also cause intrauterine dystrophy.

Causes of postnatal dystrophy
Factors that create an optimal environment for the development of acquired ( extrauterine) dystrophies are divided into internal and external.
Internal causes include pathologies, as a result of which the digestion and absorption of food is disrupted.

Internal causes of extrauterine dystrophy are:

various deviations in physical development;
violations of quantity or normal structure chromosomes;
endocrine system disorders;
abnormalities of the central nervous system;
immunodeficiency syndrome ( AIDS).

To a separate group internal factors includes food allergies and a number of hereditary diseases in which some foods are not digested. These diseases include cystic fibrosis ( improper functioning of organs that produce mucus, including the intestines), celiac disease ( intolerance to the protein contained in cereals), lactase deficiency ( impaired absorption of protein contained in dairy products).
Another, numerous group of internal causes of dystrophy consists of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which are more typical for adult patients.

Diseases that provoke dystrophy in adults are:

oncological diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
polyps of the stomach or intestines of single or multiple types;
gastritis ( inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa);
pancreatitis ( inflammatory lesion of the pancreas);
cholecystitis ( inflammation of the gallbladder walls);
cholelithiasis ( formation of hard formations in the gallbladder).

The group of external factors of dystrophy is formed by circumstances due to which the patient does not receive the amount of nutrients that is needed to form a normal weight. This category also includes reasons that indirectly inhibit the digestion and absorption of food.

External causes of acquired dystrophy are:

Nutritional factor. It is the most significant cause of this form of dystrophy. In the case of children, the disorder develops due to a lack of breast milk, incorrectly selected formula for artificial feeding, and late introduction of complementary foods. In adults, dystrophy is caused by insufficient calories ( for example, due to strict diets), unbalanced diet, predominance or lack of fats/proteins/carbohydrates.
Toxic factor. Constant influence of poor ecology, food poisoning or other forms of intoxication, long-term use medications - all these factors can cause dystrophy.
Social factor. Lack of attention from adults and frequent quarrels between parents cause stress and can provoke dystrophy in children. In adult patients, the disorder can develop against the background of an unsatisfactory emotional state due to work or problems in their personal life.

Symptoms of body dystrophy ( weight)

Symptoms of dystrophy can vary from minor signs ( slight decrease appetite) to serious health problems ( mental delays and/or physical development ). Common signs of this disorder include loss of appetite, weight loss ( Children are also characterized by stunted growth), bad dream, fatigue. Intensity of manifestation common symptoms depends on the severity of dystrophy. Also, some stages of dystrophy are characterized by specific manifestations that are unusual for other stages.

Signs of the first degree of dystrophy
The initial form of dystrophy is manifested by decreased appetite, problems with sleep, and lack of calm. These signs do not appear strongly and not regularly. The elasticity of the skin may be reduced, and weak muscle tone may also be observed. Mild bowel problems may be present, resulting in constipation or diarrhea. If a child suffers from dystrophy of the first degree, he may get sick more often than his peers infectious diseases. Weight deviations at this stage vary from 10 to 20 percent. At the same time, it is visually difficult to distinguish underweight from ordinary thinness. Distinctive characteristic Losing weight at the initial stage of dystrophy is thinness in the abdominal area.

Signs of second degree dystrophy
At this stage, all the symptoms that were present at the beginning of the disease become more pronounced and appear more often. Patients sleep poorly, move little, and often refuse to eat. The tone of the skin and muscles is greatly reduced, sagging of the skin, dryness, and sagging appear. The thinness in the abdomen intensifies to such an extent that the ribs begin to show through. In addition to the stomach, arms and legs begin to lose weight. Children suffering from second degree dystrophy get sick at least once a quarter colds. Weight deviations can range from 20 to 30 percent, and children are also stunted by 2 to 4 centimeters in height.

Other symptoms of second degree dystrophy are:

feeling of nausea, vomiting;
frequent regurgitation ( in children);
undigested foods may be present in the stool;
vitamin deficiency, which manifests itself as dry skin and hair, brittle nails, cracks in the corners of the mouth;
problems with the body's thermoregulation, in which the body quickly overheats and/or cools down;
disorders of the nervous system in the form of loudness, nervousness, restlessness.

Signs of third degree dystrophy
The last stage of dystrophy is characterized by pronounced changes in the patient’s appearance and behavior. Also, in the third degree, numerous pathologies develop from various systems body. Lack of weight exceeds 30 percent, children are stunted by 7 to 10 centimeters. By a person's appearance, one can immediately determine the presence serious violations metabolism. The subcutaneous fat layer is absent throughout the body, dry, flabby skin stretches over the bones. Also, the skin loses its elasticity and resistance, resulting in deep folds throughout the body. All this makes a person look like a mummy.

Other symptoms of late stage dystrophy may manifest themselves as follows:

Appetite is greatly impaired or absent altogether. Abnormal bowel movements become constant, and frequent vomiting may also be present.
On the face, due to a decrease in the fat layer on the cheeks, the cheekbones protrude forward and the chin is pointed. Deep cracks form in the corners of the mouth, and the mucous membranes of the eyes are dry.
Weak muscle tone is manifested by a distended abdomen ( Abdominal muscles weaken), sunken buttocks, hanging folds of skin over the knees. The skin takes on a grayish tint, and due to the lack of vitamins, peeling of the skin may occur.
Body temperature increases in waves, then drops below standard values. The patient's extremities are cold.
The immunity of such patients is reduced, which is why inflammatory processes in the lungs often develop ( pneumonia), kidneys ( pyelonephritis). Often patients with the third stage of dystrophy suffer from dysbiosis.
There are disturbances in heart rate and other pathologies of the heart muscle. Breathing becomes weak and intermittent.
Children's physical and mental development is stunted. In advanced cases, already acquired skills may be lost. In adults, reflexes decrease and a depressed state predominates.

Nutrition for dystrophy

Diet correction is the main method of treating dystrophy. The specifics of the diet depend on a number of factors, among which the most important are the degree of exhaustion of the body and the state of the patient’s gastrointestinal tract.

With dystrophy, there is a deficiency of certain nutrients, so the goal of diet therapy is to restore the deficiency necessary for the body resources. At the same time, the patient’s digestion of food is difficult due to impaired digestive function. In this regard, a rapid increase in the amount of food consumed can provoke a deterioration in the patient’s condition. Therefore, diet therapy for dystrophy consists of 3 stages. When implementing each stage of the diet, you must follow strict rules.

Nutrition rules for dystrophy

There are a number general rules dietary therapies that should be strictly followed in the treatment of this disorder. Besides general provisions There are also specific recommendations for organizing your diet ( provided by a doctor), depending on the form and degree of dystrophy. Compliance with general rules and medical recommendations will allow for effective nutritional therapy and speed up the patient’s recovery.

The general rules of diet therapy for dystrophy are as follows:

Reducing pauses between meals. The number of meals and the duration of breaks between them depends on the degree of dystrophy. In the first degree, the frequency of meals should be at least 7 times a day. With the second degree of dystrophy, there should be at least 8 meals, with the third degree - at least 10. These recommendations are relevant for the first stage of the diet. At subsequent stages, the number of meals is gradually reduced, and, accordingly, the pauses between them are increased.
Power control. With dystrophy, it is necessary to control the body's reaction to the food consumed. To do this, you need to keep a diary in which you should note the qualitative and quantitative composition of the meal. You also need to enter data about the patient’s stool and urination ( number of trips to the toilet, composition and appearance urine and feces).
Regular analysis. For grade 2 and 3 dystrophy, you regularly need to take a coprogram ( stool analysis). The analysis will allow you to assess the digestive ability of the gastrointestinal tract and adjust diet therapy if necessary.
Regular weighing. To assess the effectiveness of diet therapy, you must weigh yourself at least 3 to 4 times a week. The diet is considered effective if, starting from stage 2, weight begins to increase by 25 - 30 grams per day.

The correct choice of food products is an important requirement of the diet for dystrophy. Patients need to choose natural products With minimum quantity food additives, dyes, preservatives. In addition, during the diet period, you need to exclude some nutritional products from the diet.

Products that need to be removed from the menu are:

modified fats ( margarine, sandwich butter);
some animal fats ( lard, rendered fat, lard);
canned vegetables, pickles, marinades;
any types of meat and fish prepared by smoking, drying, drying;
alcohol, as well as drinks containing gases, caffeine, stimulants ( found predominantly in energy drinks).

Stages of diet for dystrophy

The diet for this disorder includes three stages. First, an unloading stage is carried out in order to restore the functionality of the digestive system. In addition, unloading the diet allows you to remove from the body substances that have accumulated as a result of impaired metabolism. Also at the first stage, the body’s reaction to certain food products is determined. The second stage of the diet is intermediate and is aimed at gradually getting the body used to normal nutrition. The final stage of diet therapy is to provide the patient with all the necessary nutrients for a speedy recovery. The duration of each stage depends on the form of dystrophy and the characteristics of the patient.

The first stage of the diet for dystrophy
The first stage of diet therapy ( adaptive) is aimed at determining the effect of certain foods on the digestive system. Conclusions about how well a particular product is absorbed and whether it causes complications such as diarrhea and other signs of intolerance are made based on entries from a food diary.

Determination of food tolerance lasts 2–3 days for first-degree dystrophy. With grade 2 dystrophy, this stage takes from 3 to 5 days, with grade 3 – approximately 7 days. In order to determine how well the consumed products are processed and absorbed, the patient’s diet must be reduced.

The rules for reducing the diet at the first stage of the diet are as follows:

at initial form dystrophy, the diet is reduced by 30 percent of the daily norm;
for grade 2 dystrophy, the volume of food consumed should be 50 percent less;
with grade 3 dystrophy, the amount of food is reduced by 60–70 percent of the standard norm.

The standard daily intake refers to the daily amount of food for healthy person, which is calculated depending on weight, age, gender and type of activity ( for adults).

The amount of nutrients necessary for the functioning of the body is replaced by increasing the volume of fluid consumed. For this purpose, natural vegetable decoctions can be used, herbal teas. In some cases, to replenish the deficiency of salts and electrolytes, the use of drugs such as Oralite and/or Rehydron is indicated. At severe forms dystrophy, intravenous administration of albumin solution is prescribed ( squirrel) or other nutritional fluids.

The second stage of the diet for dystrophy
The second stage of the diet is called reparative, and its goal is to smoothly transfer the body to normal mode nutrition. At this stage, the volume and calorie content of food consumed gradually increases. You need to have meals 1–2 times less often than in the first stage of the diet.

Quantitative and high-quality composition The diet for grade 2 and 3 dystrophy is determined by the doctor. The doctor determines the amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates required for the body, taking into account the patient’s age and existing body weight deficiency. In the first degree of dystrophy, the volume and composition of meals is determined by the condition and taste preferences patient. The duration of the second stage is approximately 3 weeks.

Third stage
The final stage of the diet continues until the patient’s normal body weight is restored and digestive processes are normalized. The third stage is characterized by increased food intake. At the same time, the number of meals is reduced in comparison with the second stage per meal, and the quantity and calorie content of foods increases.

Foods for dystrophy

In case of dystrophy, foods with high nutritional value should be included in the menu. The diet includes both natural products and special medical nutrition. Daily menu should include a balanced composition of proteins ( 1 part), fats ( 1 part) and carbohydrates ( 4 parts). In some cases, if there is a deficiency, for example, of protein, the doctor increases the amount of protein products in the patient’s diet.

Natural products that should be included in the therapeutic diet are:

Squirrels. For dystrophy, the diet should include easily digestible proteins, which contain sufficient amounts of amino acids. The most high-quality protein is found in meat ( veal, chicken, rabbit). To preserve the nutritional value, it is recommended to steam the meat. For young children, meat can be pureed. Enough protein is found in eggs, cottage cheese, and lightly salted cheese. Be sure to include fish in the menu if you have dystrophy ( mackerel, herring, tuna), since in addition to protein it contains many healthy fatty acids.
Fats. To replenish the norm of animal fats, the diet should include fish and meat of medium fat content, and egg yolk. A lot of animal fat that is beneficial for the body is contained in butter and cream. Provide the required volume vegetable fats follows with vegetable oil (sunflower, olive), nuts ( not recommended for small children), seeds ( flax, half sunflower).
Carbohydrates. To provide the body with the necessary amount of carbohydrates, the diet of a patient with dystrophy must include fruit juices, vegetable purees, and natural honey. If you have a carbohydrate deficiency, it is recommended to take sugar syrup, which is prepared from 150 milliliters warm water and 100 grams of sugar.

In order to provide the required amount of nutrients, but at the same time not increase the volume and calorie content of food consumed, for dystrophy it is recommended to include special therapeutic nutrition in the diet. Particularly relevant this recommendation for the first and second stages of the diet. Example therapeutic nutrition are enpits, which can be of several types. All enpits are dry, instant powder, which should be diluted with water before use.

The types of enpits are:

Protein. This medicinal product It consists of 44 percent protein and is used to enrich the diet with complete protein that is easily digestible. This enpit is made from products such as milk, cream, sugar. In addition, the powder is enriched with vitamins A, E, C, B1, B2, B6.
Fatty. Indicated in the absence of subcutaneous fat layer. The product contains a balanced composition healthy fats, whose share is 39 percent. Made from whole milk, cream, corn oil and various vitamins.
Low fat. It is recommended in cases where it is necessary to minimize the amount of fat consumed, but at the same time it is necessary to ensure sufficient protein intake. The fat content of this enpit is 1 percent, as it is produced from skim milk.

Enpits can be consumed in liquid form as stand-alone product. The powder can also be added to porridges and other dishes.

Nutrition for dystrophy in infants

For babies ( children under one year old) who have been diagnosed with dystrophy, there are separate recommendations for choosing products. Babies under 3 months of age should be fed breast milk. If you are severely underweight, it is recommended to use protein mineral supplements to enrich the composition of breast milk. These can be pre-samp, semper additives. If breast milk is not available, the baby must be fed with adapted infant formula.
An important condition for dystrophy is the timely introduction of complementary foods. In some cases, it is recommended to introduce “adult” foods into the baby’s diet at an earlier stage.

3 months. From the age of three months, it is recommended that infants be given an egg yolk, which should be hard-boiled.
4 months. From this age, vegetables should be introduced into the child’s diet, which should be prepared in the form of puree.
5 months. After the child turns 5 months old, meat should be gradually introduced into his menu ( chicken, turkey, veal), from which puree is prepared ( twisted twice in a meat grinder or blender).
6 months. After six months you should include in your diet dairy products. This could be a special children's kefir, yogurt for children, a specialized mixture of agu-2.

How to deal with poor appetite?

Weak appetite is a common phenomenon with dystrophy. In a healthy person, the desire to eat arises when the stomach is empty. With dystrophy, the process of digesting food slows down, so the person does not feel hungry. Sometimes when trying to eat something, patients develop vomiting, which is a kind of defense mechanism. There are several methods of appetite stimulation that can be used by patients with dystrophy.

Ways to increase appetite are as follows:

Before a meal, the patient needs to eat a dish or drink a drink that enhances the secretion of digestive enzymes. To do this, you can use juice from sour fruits or berries, pickled or salted vegetables ( A little). You can also drink 50 - 100 milliliters of strong meat broth before eating. Meat broth To improve appetite, you can give 1 to 2 teaspoons to small children from 3 to 4 months.
If you have a weak appetite, your diet is of great importance. You need to eat at certain times, and you shouldn’t have snacks between meals.
A significant role in stimulating appetite is played by the appearance of the dish, table setting, and calm atmosphere. You should eat in the company of relatives and friends, since the example of other people who eat with appetite has a positive impact.
During the hot season, appetite decreases as the body loses a lot of fluid. In such cases, some time before meals, it is recommended to drink some cool water, juice or kefir. You should also not have a traditional meal at lunchtime, when the temperature reaches its maximum, but move it to a later time.

Nervous dystrophy ( anorexia nervosa)

Such a disease as nervous dystrophy does not exist, but this definition is often used to refer to a disorder such as anorexia. This fact is explained by the fact that dystrophy and anorexia have similar symptoms ( weight deficiency, poor appetite, nervous system disorders). However, the reasons anorexia nervosa differ in many ways from the factors that provoke dystrophy.

Causes of Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa belongs to the category of mental disorders and is manifested by deviations in the patient’s behavior, as a result of which he loses a lot of weight. If with dystrophy weight loss is a consequence of various pathologies or malnutrition, then with anorexia a person deliberately limits himself in food intake.
People with this disease often suffer from low self-esteem and begin to lose weight in order to increase their own self-worth. Experts note that the real reason Anorexia involves serious personality problems, and controlling one's own weight is an attempt to cope with these difficulties.

In most cases, anorexia nervosa develops in adolescence. The disease can be provoked by a lack of popularity among the opposite sex or ridicule from peers. Sometimes this mental disorder appears against the backdrop of a teenager’s desire to live up to his idol. Anorexia is often a child’s protest against excessive parental care. Most often, conflicts between daughter and mother manifest themselves this way. Anorexia nervosa is most common in economically developed countries, where thinness is widely promoted as a sign of an ideal.

How does anorexia nervosa manifest?

In order to achieve the ideal weight from the patient’s point of view, he begins to limit himself in food. On initial stages diseases, a person excludes traditional “culprits” from his diet overweight– fats and carbohydrates. Gradually, the patient begins to refuse to eat other vital products. Often with anorexia, deviations from standard norms in behavior. Thus, patients can swallow food without chewing it, hide food from themselves, and eat with small utensils.
In addition to dieting, people suffering from anorexia often use laxatives, exercise vigorously, or resort to other methods of losing weight.

Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa

As with dystrophy, treatment involves eliminating both the symptoms and the causes of the disease. Only if, in case of dystrophy, the process of digestion and assimilation of food is corrected, then in case of anorexia, work is done with the patient’s thoughts and beliefs. Therefore, the main thing therapeutic method for anorexia is psychotherapy.
To eliminate body weight deficiency in anorexia nervosa, diet therapy is prescribed.
In some cases, intravenous administration of various drugs is indicated. Before use, you should consult a specialist.

Doctor of II category

Anorexia - description and classification (true, nervous), causes and signs, stages, treatment, books about anorexia, photos of patients

Myocardial dystrophy (dishormonal, dysmetabolic, alcoholic, mixed origin, etc.) – causes, types and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment in children and adults

Weak and ineffective muscles often create problems that little is done to correct until they become serious. Although strength and normal muscle action give the figure grace and grace in 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 makes it impossible to control urination or even empty the bladder. Often due to muscle weakness internal organs fall or lie on top of each other. Clumsiness of movements muscle tension and poor coordination, very often seen in malnourished children and usually unaddressed, are quite similar to the symptoms seen in muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.

Muscle weakness

Muscle is composed primarily of protein, but also contains 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, each nutrient is necessary 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 usually improve with more of these substances in your diet.

Potassium is necessary for muscle contraction in the body. In just a week, healthy volunteers fed refined foods similar to what we eat every day developed muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, constipation, and depression. All this disappeared almost immediately 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 intestinal muscles allow bacteria to secrete great amount gases, causing colic, and spasm or displacement of the intestine can lead to obstruction. When death occurs due to potassium deficiency, autopsy reveals severe damage and muscle scarring.

Some people have such high potassium needs that they experience periodic paralysis. Examinations of these patients show that salty foods high in fat and carbohydrates, and especially sweet tooth, stress, as well as ACTH (a hormone produced by the pituitary gland) and cortisone reduce potassium levels in the blood. Even if 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 potassium levels in the blood.

When muscle weakness leads to fatigue, gas, constipation, and inability to empty the bladder without the aid of a catheter, taking potassium chloride tablets is especially helpful. Most people, however, can get potassium by consuming fruits and vegetables, especially green leafy ones, and by avoiding refined foods.

Vitamin E deficiency appears to be a common, although rarely recognized, cause of muscle weakness. Like the Reds blood cells are destroyed by the action of oxygen on essential fatty acids, and muscle cells throughout the body are destroyed in the absence of this vitamin. This process is especially active in adults who do not digest fat well. The nuclei of muscle cells and the enzymes necessary for muscle contraction cannot be formed without vitamin E. Its deficiency greatly increases the need for muscle tissue for oxygen, interferes with 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 and may even be deposited in the muscles.

In pregnant women, muscle weakness due to vitamin E deficiency, often caused by iron supplements, in some cases makes childbirth difficult because the amount of enzymes needed to contract the muscles involved in labor activity, decreases. When patients with muscle weakness, pain, wrinkled skin and loss of muscle elasticity were given 400 mg of vitamin E per day, a noticeable 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 a short time.

Long-term stress and Addison's disease

Advanced adrenal fatigue, as in Addison's disease, is characterized by apathy, excruciating 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 the muscle cells are also destroyed. Moreover, exhausted adrenal glands cannot produce the hormone that stores nitrogen from destroyed cells in the body; Normally, this nitrogen is reused to build amino acids and repair tissue. Under such circumstances, muscles quickly lose strength even with protein-rich foods.

Exhausted adrenal glands are also unable to produce sufficient amounts of the salt-retaining hormone aldosterone. So much salt is lost in the urine that potassium leaves the cells, further slowing contractions and weakening and partially or completely paralyzing the muscles. Taking potassium can increase the amount of this nutrient in cells, but in this case, salt is especially needed. People with exhausted adrenal glands usually have low blood pressure, meaning they don't have enough salt.

Adrenal glands become depleted quickly when deficient pantothenic acid, causing the same condition as prolonged stress.

Because stress plays a role in all muscle disorders, emphasis should be placed on restoring adrenal function in any diagnosis. An anti-stress program should be followed carefully, especially in the case of Addison's disease. Recovery occurs 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 injury or strain, and the inflammation indicates that the body is not producing enough cortisone. Diet with big amount Vitamin C, pantothenic acid and milk intake around the clock usually bring immediate relief. In case of injury, scar tissue can quickly form, so you should pay special attention to vitamin E.

Fibrositis and myositis often affect women during menopause, when the need for vitamin E is especially great, these diseases tend to cause significant discomfort before the cause is discovered. Daily intake Vitamin E for myositis brings a noticeable improvement.

Pseudoparalytic myasthenia

The term myasthenia gravis itself means bereavement muscle strength. This disease is characterized by wasting and progressive paralysis that can affect any part of the body, but most often the muscles of the face and neck. Double vision, eyelids that don't lift, frequent choking, difficulty breathing, swallowing and speaking, poor articulation and stuttering are typical symptoms.

Isotope studies with radioactive manganese have shown that 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 amount of manganese required for humans has not yet been established, people suffering from muscle weakness may be advised to include wheat bran and whole grain bread (the richest natural sources) in their diet.

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

To produce acetylcholine, you need a whole battery of nutrients: vitamin B, pantothenic acid, potassium and many others. A lack of choline itself causes underproduction of acetylcholine and leads to muscle weakness, muscle fiber damage and extensive scar tissue growth. All this is accompanied by 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 if 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 release and utilization of acetylcholine, but if there is an insufficient supply of vitamin E, the enzyme needed to synthesize acetylcholine is destroyed by oxygen. This also causes muscle weakness, muscle breakdown, scarring and loss of creatine, but taking vitamin E will correct the situation.

Since pseudoparalytic myasthenia gravis is almost inevitably preceded by prolonged stress, enhanced by the use of medications that increase the body's needs, an anti-stress diet that is unusually rich in all nutrients is recommended. Lecithin, yeast, liver, wheat bran and eggs are excellent sources of choline. The daily diet should be divided into six small, protein-rich servings, generously supplemented with an “anti-stress formula”, magnesium, and B vitamins C tablets high content choline and inositol and possibly manganese. You should eat salty foods for a while and increase your potassium intake by eating plenty 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, jerky movements or spasms in 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 content is usually high. And even the remaining lecithin is abnormal because it contains saturated fatty acids. Additionally, multiple sclerosis is most common in countries with high saturated fat intake, which is invariably associated with reduced content lecithin in the blood. Perhaps due to the reduced need for lecithin, patients with multiple sclerosis are prescribed a low-fat diet less often and for a shorter duration. Significant improvement is achieved when three or more tablespoons of lecithin are added to food daily.

It is likely that a deficiency of any nutrient—magnesium, B vitamins, choline, inositol, essential fatty acids—can aggravate the course of the disease. Muscle spasms and weakness, involuntary shaking 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 progression 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. A 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 caused disease. Both in laboratory animals and in humans, with vitamin E deficiency, the need for oxygen increases many times, the amount of many enzymes and coenzymes necessary for normal operation muscles are noticeably reduced; muscles throughout the body are damaged and weakened when the essential fatty acids that make up the muscle cell structure are destroyed. Numerous nutrients are lost from the cells, and muscle tissue is eventually replaced by scar tissue. The muscles split lengthwise, which, by the way, makes you wonder whether a lack of vitamin E plays a major role in the formation of a hernia, especially in children, in whom its deficiency is simply terrifying.

For many months or even years before dystrophy is diagnosed, amino acids and creatine are lost in the urine, indicating muscle breakdown. If vitamin E is given early in the disease, the destruction of muscle tissue stops completely, as indicated by the disappearance of creatine in the urine. In animals, and possibly in humans, the disease develops faster if the food 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 be affected—and that chromosomal changes have been detected 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. On early stages these diseases can sometimes be treated with fresh oil from wheat bran, pure vitamin E or vitamin E combined with other nutrients. At early diagnosis some patients recovered after simply adding wheat bran to their food and homemade bread from freshly ground flour. 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 later, crawl and walk, ran slowly, had difficulty climbing stairs and getting up after falling. Often the child was ridiculed for many years as lazy and clumsy before seeing a doctor. Since huge masses of scar tissue are commonly mistaken for muscle, mothers of such children often took pride in how “muscular” their child was. Eventually, the scar tissue shrinks, causing either excruciating back pain or shortening of the Achilles tendon, which is as disabling as the weakness of the muscles themselves. Often the Achilles tendon is lengthened surgically many years before the diagnosis of dystrophy is made, however, vitamin E as preventive measure do not give.

Every person with impaired muscle function should immediately undergo a urine test and, if creatine is found in it, significantly improve their diet and include a large number of vitamin E. Muscle dystrophy could be completely eradicated if all pregnant women and artificially-bred children were given vitamin E and refined foods that lack it were excluded from the diet.

Proper nutrition

Like most diseases, muscle dysfunction stems from a variety of deficiencies. Until nutrition becomes adequate for everyone nutrients, one cannot expect either recovery or preservation of health.

Dystrophy is a pathology that is caused chronic disorders nutrition and is accompanied by tissue atrophy. Dystrophy can occur in people at any age, but this disease is most dangerous for children in the first years of life. The disease at an early age leads to delayed intellectual and physical development, decreased immunity, and metabolic disorders. Severe and moderate forms of dystrophy are rarely observed in socially prosperous regions.

Dystrophy is not always expressed by a person’s lack of weight relative to his height, as is typical for all hypotrophic patients. During another type - paratrophy, there is a predominance of a person’s weight over his height and the appearance of obesity. A uniform lag in both a person’s weight and height relative to age norms is another type of hypostatural type dystrophy. The most common and dangerous first type of disease – hypotrophic dystrophy.

Causes of dystrophy

In the prenatal period, primary nutritional dystrophy caused by pathologies of intrauterine fetal hypoxia and placental circulation. To the main risk factors during pregnancy include:

infectious diseases in any trimester;
woman's age under 18 and after 45 years;
pathologies of the placenta;
severe somatic diseases, including hereditary and chronic diseases, injuries;
smoking;
unfavorable social environment which leads to poor nutrition and nervous stress;
toxicosis or gestosis in any trimester.

Acquired primary dystrophy may be a consequence of malnutrition in difficult social conditions or the result of poor-quality nutrition with protein deficiency. Also, recurrent infectious diseases, which are caused by recurrent otitis media, rotavirus and intestinal infections, lead to primary dystrophy.

Secondary dystrophy post- and prenatal period accompanies acquired and congenital:

The development of paratrophy is usually correlated with excessive calorie food and an increased amount in daily menu fats and carbohydrates. The appearance of paratrophy provokes diathesis of exudative-catarrhal and lymphatic-hypoplastic types with redness and inflammation of the mucous membranes and epithelium, as well as with the growth of lymphoid tissue. Dystrophy of the hypostatural type is accompanied by serious pathologies of the neuroendocrine system.

Today in medical practice there are several different classifications of dystrophic conditions. Taking into account what types of violations metabolic processes prevail, allocate the following types dystrophy:

carbohydrate;
mineral;
protein;
fatty

Depending on the location of the pathology of metabolic processes, dystrophy can be cellular, extracellular and mixed.

According to etiology, dystrophy occurs:

Acquired. Appears under the influence of external or internal factors and has a more favorable prognosis, in contrast to congenital forms.
Congenital. The development of pathology is associated with genetic factors, that is, dysfunction of the metabolic processes of proteins, carbohydrates and fats is associated with hereditary pathology. Moreover, children’s bodies do not have one or more enzymes that are responsible for the metabolism of nutrients. As a result, incomplete breakdown of carbohydrates, fats or proteins occurs, and in the tissues there is an accumulation of metabolic products that have a detrimental effect on cell structures. The pathology affects a variety of tissues, but is most often affected nerve tissue, this leads to serious disruption of its functioning. Any types of congenital dystrophy are dangerous conditions that can lead to death.

Taking into account body weight deficiency dystrophy divided into the following groups:

Hypostatrois. It is characterized not only by a lack of body weight, but also by a decrease in height, and these indicators do not correspond to age standards.
Paratrophy. With this type of dystrophy, disturbances in tissue nutrition and metabolic processes lead to an increase in body weight.
Hypotrophy. Today this is the most common type of disease. In this case, there is a decrease in weight relative to the person’s height. Taking into account the moment of appearance, congenital (prenatal), acquired (postnatal) and combined malnutrition are classified.

When dystrophy appears as a result of lack of proteins, carbohydrates(energy substances) or fats, then it is called primary. Secondary dystrophy is considered in cases where the pathology appears against the background of some other disease.

Hypotrophy at the first stage is expressed by a body weight deficit of approximately 15-22% relative to the physiological norm. The person’s condition is satisfactory, with a slight decrease in subcutaneous fat deposits, decreased skin turgor and appetite.

At the second stage of malnutrition with a person’s weight deficiency up to 30%, the patient’s physical activity and emotional tone. The patient is apathetic, tissue turgor and muscle tone are significantly reduced. A person has a greatly reduced amount of fatty tissue in the area of the limbs and abdomen. Pathologies of thermoregulation are expressed in cold extremities and fluctuations in body temperature. Dystrophy at the second stage is accompanied by pathologies in the functioning of the cardiovascular system with arterial hypotension, tachycardia, muffled heart sounds.

Hypotrophy at the third stage with a person’s weight deficit of more than 30% is also called nutritional insanity or atrophy. At this stage of the development of the disease, the general condition of the person is seriously disturbed, the patient is prone to indifference, drowsiness, anorexia, and irritability. With malnutrition at the third stage there is no subcutaneous fat. The muscles are completely atrophied, but muscle tone is increased due to electrolyte imbalance and the presence of neurological disorders. Hypotrophy is accompanied by low body temperature, dehydration, weak and rare pulse, and arterial hypotension. Dyskinetic manifestations of dystrophy are expressed in vomiting, regurgitation, rare urination, and frequent loose stools.

Hypostature is a consequence of prenatal dystrophy of the neuroendocrine type. Congenital hypostatura is diagnosed during the birth of a child according to distinctive clinical symptoms:

Congenital persistent disorders of the nervous and endocrine regulation of processes are difficult to treat. In the absence of the above clinical symptoms and at the same time there is a lag in the physiological indicators of a person’s height and weight from age norms, hypostatura may be the result of constitutional short stature.

In children, paratrophy is most often provoked by excessive food intake or an unbalanced diet with insufficient protein and a large amount of carbohydrates. Inactive children are more prone to paratrophy artificial feeding with different types of diathesis. Systematic physical inactivity and prolonged overfeeding often develop obesity, as one of the symptoms of paratrophic dystrophy. Also clinical symptoms of paratrophy are:

lethargy;
impaired emotional tone;
fast fatiguability;
dyspnea;
headaches.

Often appetite is reduced and is selective. Due to excess subcutaneous fat there is decreased muscle tone And lack of elasticity skin covers. Against the background of decreased immunity, functional and morphological transformations of internal organs are likely.

Diagnosis of dystrophy

The diagnosis of dystrophy is made on the basis of clinical characteristic symptoms, which include the ratio of a person’s weight to height, analysis of the body’s resistance to infectious diseases, the location and amount of subcutaneous fat, and assessment of tissue turgor. The stage of malnutrition is determined by laboratory tests of urine and blood.

Hypotrophy at the first stage - laboratory gastric secretion examinations and blood indicate dysproteinemia, which is expressed in decreased activity digestive enzymes and imbalance of blood protein fractions.

Hypotrophy at the second stage - according to laboratory examinations, a person with dystrophy at this stage has very pronounced hypochromic anemia with a low level of hemoglobin in the blood. Hypoproteinemia with low levels in the blood is also noted. total protein against the background of a strong decrease in enzyme activity.

Hypotrophy at the third stage- laboratory tests indicate presence in urine significant quantities chlorides, phosphates, urea, in some cases ketone bodies and acetone, as well as blood thickening with slow erythrocyte sedimentation.

The differential diagnosis of “hypostature” is determined by excluding diseases that are accompanied by a lag in physical development, for example, pituitary dwarfism, during which the human pituitary gland does not synthesize required quantity somatotropic hormones, or other mutational types of dwarfism with normal secretion somatropin, but not the body's sensitivity to it.

Diet therapy is a fundamental aspect of rational treatment of dystrophy. Initially determined body tolerance to food, if necessary, enzymes are recommended: festal, abomin, pancreatin, panzinorm. At the next stage, gradual adjustments are made energy value and the volume of food consumed with constant monitoring of loss or gain of body weight, diuresis and stool character. To do this, a food journal is created with the names and quantities of products recorded. Eating occurs in small portions up to 7-12 meals per day. Control is carried out until a person reaches physiological norms body weight.

As a stimulating treatment, courses of general tonic drugs and multivitamin complexes: preparations with royal jelly, ginseng, oats, lemongrass. Treatment of concomitant diseases and sanitation of lesions chronic infection . Increasing emotional status and eliminating physical inactivity is achieved through massage and complex physical therapeutic exercises.

Prenatal preventive actions, which are aimed at preventing the occurrence of intrauterine dystrophy, include: rest and work regime, good sleep, physical exercises, balanced diet, constant monitoring of the health of the fetus and the woman, control of the woman’s weight.

Postnatal prevention of dystrophy in a child in the best possible way held at natural feeding , regular monitoring of monthly weight and height gains during the first year and annual monitoring of subsequent dynamics of physical development.

In adult patients, prevention of dystrophy is possible with the condition normal nutrition, treatment of major immunodeficiency diseases, as well as replacement therapy malabsorption and enzymopathies.

You need to understand that strengthening your immunity, as well as the immunity of your children from birth, a balanced, rational and healthy diet, lack of stress and sufficient physical exercise- This best prevention any diseases, including dystrophy.

Many people have heard when a person is called “dystrophic”. This word is often used to refer to very thin people. But in fact, this is not only a comic word, but a dangerous disease. Dystrophy is a disease, not ordinary thinness.

What is dystrophy

Dystrophy is a pathological process that leads to the accumulation or loss by tissues of those substances that are not characteristic of them in a normal state. An example would be the accumulation of coal in the lungs. With dystrophy, cells are damaged, and because of this, the functions of the diseased organ are impaired.

The body has a complex of mechanisms that are responsible for the preservation and metabolism of cellular structure. It's called trophism. A dystrophic person is a person who suffers.

Children under three years of age are most often susceptible to dystrophy. It leads to a delay not only in physical development, but also in psychomotor and intellectual development. This disrupts work immune system and metabolism.

Types of disease

So, who is dystrophic? A person suffering from disorders in the body. There are several. They are divided into mineral, protein, carbohydrate and fat, depending on the type of metabolic disorder.

If we talk about localization, dystrophy can be extracellular, cellular, or mixed.

In origin, the disease can be either congenital or acquired. Congenital dystrophy appears by genetic reasons, since metabolic disorders are hereditary. Any enzyme that takes part in the metabolic process may be absent in the body, and this leads to the fact that metabolic products are not completely broken down and accumulate in tissues.

Various tissues can be affected, but in all cases the central nervous system is affected. Dystrophic is a person suffering serious illness, since a lack of certain enzymes can be fatal.

Dystrophy is also divided into three types: paratrophy, hypostatura and hypotrophy.

Paratrophy is also nutrition, which is expressed by excess body weight.

Hypostature is the same lack of height and weight in accordance with the age norm of a person.

Hypotrophy is the most common form of dystrophy today. It is expressed in small body weight in relation to a person’s height.

Causes of the disease

Dystrophy is caused by a large number various reasons. Except congenital disorders at the genetic level, which are associated with metabolic disorders, the disease can be due to stress, infectious diseases, and poor nutrition. Among other common reasons, it is worth noting weak immunity, chromosomal diseases, unfavorable external factors and leading an unhealthy lifestyle.

There is a misconception that a dystrophic person is a child who was born ahead of schedule. But this is not so, because the disease can develop after prolonged fasting or, conversely, overeating foods that contain carbohydrates.

A child born to a too young or too old mother may suffer from congenital dystrophy.

Symptoms of the disease

Dystrophy manifests itself depending on its form and severity. Among common features They note agitation, loss of appetite and sleep, fatigue and weakness, weight loss and growth retardation.

If body development decreases by 30 percent, pallor occurs, tissue elasticity and muscle tone decrease.

In patients, immunity is impaired, the liver may become enlarged, and bowel movements are disrupted.

With severe malnutrition, skin elasticity is lost, eyeballs fall, heart rhythm and breathing are disrupted, body temperature and blood pressure decrease.

When a person has paratrophy, excess fat is deposited in the subcutaneous tissue. Patients are pale and susceptible to allergies. This disrupts the functioning of the intestines. Diaper rash begins to form in the folds of the skin.

With hypostatura, the symptoms are similar to malnutrition. This is the most persistent form of dystrophy, and it is very difficult to treat.

How to treat dystrophy

Treatment of this disease must be comprehensive. If the dystrophy is secondary, then doctors treat the disease that caused it. In another case, diet therapy is used, and secondary infections are also prevented.

If it is 1st degree, then treatment is carried out at home. With a higher degree, the child is placed in a hospital.

Patients need to consume breast milk, as well as fermented milk mixtures. Meals should be fractional - up to 10 times a day. At the same time, the doctor keeps records of changes in body weight. In addition, enzymes, vitamins and dietary supplements are prescribed.

So, dystrophic - who is he? This is a seriously ill person who needs to be treated as soon as possible, as the consequences can be dire.