DEAR Dr. Fritz,
Good day, doc. I am writing to you because I don’t understand why my husband’s left leg became smaller. It has also become weaker. Moreover, my husband is also active as he is currently working. Though, he may be some sort of couch potato sometimes. Please tell me what is going on. What are the reasons why the other legs would become much smaller than the other one?
Thanks and hope to hear from you soon.
Joy S. of Marilog
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Dear Joy S. of Marilog,
Let’s try to face this problem head on to see what we can do for your loved one.
Let us discuss muscle atrophy first. I believe this is your husband’s condition. Muscle atrophy is when muscles waste away. Of course, the main reason here is inactivity. But, if one is inactive, it takes some time before the muscles waste away. They just don’t happen overnight. Your husband as you claimed may be a couch potato, but not totally inactive. That means, we have to probe a little deeper – to see what’s in store more for your husband. I just wished that you had given me more information about your husband – so, we can paint a better picture of his condition.
Now, let us see what could be the other reasons for muscle atrophy, aside from lack of physical activity or being bedridden.
aging
alcohol-associated myopathy (pain and weakness in muscles due to excessive drinking over long periods of time) Well, if your husband is alcoholic, then, this could maybe be the reason for his condition.
burns
injuries and broken bones
malnutrition
spinal cord injuries
stroke
long-term corticosteroid therapy
Diseases that can cause muscles to waste away or can make movement difficult, leading to muscle atrophy.
Good luck!
Dr. Fritz
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(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She is the co-host of digital page of Superbalita. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15-year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.”. For your questions, you may e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we can not answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)