Muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis) can occur as an independent disease or be a manifestation of various pathological processes occurring in the human body. For example, protein deficiency, intoxication, anemia and arthritis. Short-term muscle weakness often occurs after a sleepless night, severe overwork and stress. Prolonged myasthenia gravis should be regarded as a symptom and in case of any of its manifestations, consult a doctor.
myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis ¾ muscle weakness. Refers to autoimmune diseases. It has a chronic, inevitably progressive course with frequent exacerbations. In the vast majority, it is diagnosed for the first time in patients aged 20-40 years. Women suffer from myasthenia gravis more often than men. It is extremely rare in children. Among the reasons that provoke true muscle weakness are ¾ of the genetic factor, immune disorders, stress and infections. Also, this disease can be a companion of oncological pathologies in the thymus, ovaries, lungs and mammary glands.
With myasthenia gravis in the body, the supply of impulses among neurons is disrupted. As a result, the interaction between muscles and nerves disappears, gradually the body becomes completely uncontrollable.
Myasthenia is manifested by the following symptoms:
- Great weakness in the muscles.
- abnormal fatigue.
- The condition worsens after physical exertion. The more severe the patient's disease stage, the less exercise may be needed to cause muscle weakness.
- In more severe cases, it is difficult to breathe.
- The voice becomes nasal.
- It is difficult for the patient to keep his head straight due to fatigue of the neck muscles.
- Dropping of the eyelids.
All of the above symptoms tend to increase. Sometimes patients completely lose the ability to serve themselves. The main danger is myasthenic crises, which are manifested by severe muscle weakness with severe respiratory failure.
Depending on the symptoms, muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis) is divided into several types. The following forms of the disease are distinguished:
- Eye. Only the muscles of the eyes are affected. Sometimes within 2-3 years it can be a symptom of a generalized form of myasthenia gravis. The patient has droopy eyelids and double vision.
- Bulbar. The patient complains that it is difficult for him to speak, swallow, breathe. All these manifestations tend to increase, as a result, the patient may completely or partially lose all of the above functions.
- Generalized. Muscle weakness affects almost all muscle groups. The most common form of the disease.
- Lightning. The most dangerous. Most often provoked by a malignant process in the thymus gland. The course of the disease is so rapid that drug treatment does not have time to give the proper therapeutic effect. More often than not, it ends in serious consequences.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of a blood test for antibodies, CT of the thymus, and electromyography. The prozerin test is considered especially reliable. If a subcutaneous injection of prozerin has a positive effect on the patient and the symptoms of muscle weakness subside for a short time, then we can talk about various forms of myasthenia gravis. It is not possible to completely recover from this disease. The patient must be under constant medical supervision and take medications for life.
Other causes of muscle weakness
Often patients confuse the symptoms of muscle weakness with the usual overwork, which is manifested by a decrease in muscle strength. For example, prolonged wearing of uncomfortable shoes or work associated with lifting weights often cause a feeling of reduced tone in the most involved muscle group. Also, muscle weakness may be present in such pathological conditions of the body as:
- Stoop, scoliosis, round back. The main cause of poor posture is a weak muscular corset.
- Depression.
- Neurosis.
- Anorexia.
- Insomnia.
- Alcoholism.
- Addiction.
Muscle weakness is not uncommonly a manifestation of disease.
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Disease |
Description |
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Lack of potassium in the body |
A provoking factor can be severe stress, dehydration, kidney pathology. Muscle contraction is disrupted in the body. Manifested by severe fatigue, constipation, flatulence, depression. In severe cases of potassium deficiency, partial paralysis often occurs. |
|
Vitamin E deficiency |
With a lack of vitamin E, the body starts the mechanism of destruction of muscle fibers. The main initial symptom of vitamin E deficiency is dry, non-elastic skin, then manifestations of muscle weakness begin to increase. Pregnant women have difficulty giving birth due to weak contraction of the uterine muscles during childbirth |
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Addison's disease |
A chronic disease in which the adrenal glands do not secrete the necessary amount of cortisol, aldosterone, female and male sex hormones. Manifested by impotence, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, loose stools, skin pigmentation |
|
Multiple sclerosis |
With multiple sclerosis, the protective sheath that covers the nerve fibers of the spinal cord and brain is destroyed, which causes muscle weakness, impaired coordination, pain when moving the eyes, and loss of vision. Also, there is a weakness of the muscular wall of the bladder, which provokes an uncontrolled release of urine. |
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It is characterized by a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood. Manifested by fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, pallor and dryness of the skin and mucous membranes |
|
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Muscle inflammation. Occurs due to hypothermia, injury or prolonged overvoltage. Aching pain in the muscles appears, which hinders movement |
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Inflammatory process in the joints. It is characterized by swelling in the area of the affected joints, redness, soreness, limited movements. Also, there is weakness in the muscles and increased body temperature. Among the causes that cause arthritis are heredity, allergies, injuries, infections. |
Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine disease that causes muscle weakness throughout the body. As a result of the production of an insufficient amount of the hormone insulin in the pancreas, a violation of carbohydrate metabolism occurs in the body, which provokes a persistent increase in the patient's blood sugar. Depending on the causes that cause it, diabetes is divided into two types:
- Diabetes mellitus of the first type. A complete lack of insulin production develops due to the effect of the immune system on the cells of the pancreas. As a result, a metabolic disorder occurs, which can cause various complications (blindness, kidney failure, gangrene). Patients are forced to monitor their blood sugar daily and inject certain doses of insulin.
- Diabetes mellitus of the second type. There is a relative deficiency of insulin in the body. Obesity, pancreatitis, low physical activity, long-term use of corticosteroids often provoke the development of this form of diabetes. At the initial stage of the disease, light exercise, a low-carbohydrate diet, and weight loss can have a positive effect. If left untreated, there is a high risk of complications consistent with type 1 diabetes.
Diabetes is manifested by the following symptoms:
- The most important symptom of diabetes is extreme thirst and dry mouth.
- Frequent urination, especially at night.
- Poor wound healing.
- Itching and dry skin.
- Reduced immunity (frequent viral infections, furunculosis).
- Visual impairment.
- Irritability.
- Pain in the abdomen.
- Pain in the legs.
- Lethargy.
- Weakness in all muscles.
Important! If a diabetic has symptoms such as severe hunger, trembling all over the body, irritability, pallor skin, heavy sweating, anxiety, frequent heartbeat, you need to give him sweet tea or eat candy. These are the signs of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), a dangerous condition that precedes a hypoglycemic coma.
sports sickness
Sometimes any sport begins with great enthusiasm and ends with overtraining (sports sickness). A state when the desire to attend classes disappears, mood worsens, apathy appears. It occurs in cases where the body is not able to fully recover in the intervals between workouts due to inadequate excessive load. This becomes the main cause of the condition when muscle weakness appears, efficiency decreases, physical performance and endurance are lost. Also, there are symptoms such as:
- Loss of appetite.
- Lethargy.
- Irritability.
- Depressive state.
- Insomnia.
- Wandering pain in the muscles.
- Aversion to training.
If at least four of the above signs of sports disease appear, it is necessary to take a break in classes for about two weeks until full recovery. Also, massages, calm swimming in the pool or in open water, no more than 20 minutes, will help to cope with overtraining, warm bath with the addition of 5 drops of pine essential oil.
The causes of muscle weakness in the body are varied. Sometimes it is overwork, lack of sleep, deficiency of vitamins, trace elements, amino acids. Not infrequently, myasthenia gravis may be a manifestation various diseases. It is necessary to try to avoid stress, reasonably approach sports activities, fully relax and eat. If you experience unreasonable prolonged muscle weakness, you should consult a doctor. Very often, timely treatment helps to avoid severe complications of the disease or prevent further development of pathologies.
Oddly enough, but the main enemy of our health is ourselves. For residents of large cities, the number one problem is the lack of motor activity. But if we want to maintain all the vital systems of our body at the required level, then we should move much more.
Lack of physical activity leads to various problems. Among them - numerous violations of energy metabolism in the body, weakening the processing of fats, especially of animal origin. The content of cholesterol and lipoproteins in the blood increases, atherosclerosis of the vessels of the heart, brain and other organs develops.
What happens with little physical activity
When the metabolism is disturbed in all body systems. As a result of the fact that skeletal muscles reduce their need for oxygen, their supply of blood is also reduced. Due to the fact that the muscles of the heart become detrained, their volume is gradually reduced. A reduction in the motor activity of the heart already leads to the appearance of numerous cardiological diseases, such as:
- heart attack;
- cardiosclerosis;
- angina.
The bones also experience certain changes due to lack of movement. They lose their strength due to the fact that calcium passes into the blood from bone tissue. As a result, osteoporosis develops. Calcium deficiency in the teeth leads to the development. Disturbed calcium metabolism leads to the formation of blood clots in blood vessels, kidney stones, and also increases blood clotting.
Lack of movement leads to a decrease in immunity and the body's resistance to chronic diseases and infections. As a result, a person develops fatigue, irritability, sleep is disturbed and memory deteriorates.
What to do to ensure that physical activity is normal
From the first part of the article, you can understand that in order for life to be full and long, a person needs constant training. What recommendations can be given on this topic?
First of all, you should choose exactly the mode of motor activity that will remain optimal, taking into account age and type of activity. You can also increase muscle tone with the help of elementary, but if you have more serious problems associated with a lack of physical activity, then special attention should be paid to physical activity.
If possible, refuse the elevator, walk more. The minimum distance required to maintain normal physical activity of a healthy person is ten thousand steps.
Physical activity is the key to long-term health. Don't neglect walking at a moderate pace, light jogging, and stretching exercises. Just don't overdo it. It is better to ask an experienced trainer to create a training program for you.
Modern man moves much less than his ancestors. This is primarily due to the achievements of scientific and technical progress: elevators, cars, public transport, etc. Particularly relevant is the problem of insufficient motor activity among knowledge workers. But maybe minimizing muscle activity is a good thing? Maybe in this way we reduce the wear and tear of the musculoskeletal system, internal organs and systems, so to speak, we protect the body? You will find answers to these and some other questions in this article.
In order to understand how motor activity affects the organs and systems of the body, it is necessary to understand how the activity of muscles is carried out and regulated.
The musculoskeletal system consists of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Bones are connected by joints and ligaments. Muscles are attached to bones with tendons. Muscles are innervated (receive commands to start or stop contractile activity) by nerves that send signals from the spinal cord. Proprioreceptors (internal receptors that provide information about the location of body parts in space, about articular angles and the rates of their change, about the amount of mechanical pressure on tissues and internal organs) located in joints, tendons and muscles, provide information to the central nervous system about their condition (position) through nerves that send signals from receptors to the spinal cord. Depending on the type and intensity of the signal, it is either processed at the level of the segment of the spinal cord at which the signal was received, or sent to the "higher authorities" - the medulla oblongata, the cerebellum, the basal nuclei, the motor area of the cerebral cortex. In addition to the nervous system, blood is also involved in the management and provision of muscle work (providing muscles with oxygen and “fuel” - glycogen, glucose, fatty acids; removal of metabolic products, humoral regulation), the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, as well as some glands and organs. The coordinated work of all the above elements allows us to carry out motor activity.
Movement is necessary for effective adaptation of the body to environment. That is, if it is hot here, then we will move to where it is cooler, if we are in danger, then we will run away from it or begin to defend ourselves.
The evolutionary movement was necessary for the body to ensure the balance of the internal environment. That is, it made it possible to move to where it was possible to satisfy the biologically significant needs of the body. With evolutionary species development, it was required to perform a greater range of movements of a more complex nature. This led to an increase in muscle mass and the complexity of the systems that control it; these changes were accompanied by a shift in the balance of the internal environment (homeostasis). In addition, the movement that leads to disruption of homeostasis has become one of the essential conditions maintaining it. That is why movements have such a huge impact on all body systems.
Muscles are genetically programmed to do a huge amount of work. The development of the body and its functioning in different periods of life directly depend on how actively they work. This rule is called the "energy rule of skeletal muscles" and was formulated by I.A. Arshavsky.
A.V. Nagorny and his students proceeded from the belief that aging is synonymous with the age-related development of the organism as a whole. With aging, not just the extinction of volume and functions occurs, but a complex restructuring of the body.
One of the main patterns of aging of the body is the reduction of its adaptive-regulatory capabilities, i.e. "reliability". These changes are gradual.
Stage 1 - "maximum tension", mobilization of vitauction processes. (Vitaukt is a process that stabilizes the life of the organism, increases its reliability, aimed at preventing damage to living systems with age and increasing life expectancy). The optimal range of changes in metabolism and functions is maintained, despite the progression of aging processes.
Stage 2 - "decrease in reliability" - despite the processes of vitauction, the adaptive capabilities of the body are reduced while maintaining the level of basal metabolism and functions.
Stage 3 - change in basal metabolism and functions.
Consequently, with aging, the ability to adapt to significant loads first decreases, and eventually, the level of metabolism and functions changes even at rest.
The level of motor activity affects various organs and systems of the body. Lack of range of motion is called hypokinesia. Chronic insufficient load on the muscles is called hypodynamia. Both the first and the second have much greater consequences for the body than most people think. If hypokinesia is simply a lack of intensity or volume of metabolism, then hypodynamia is morphological changes in organs and tissues caused by hypokinesia.
Consequences of hypokinesia and hypodynamia
In real life, the average citizen does not lie motionless, fixed on the floor: he goes to the store, to work, sometimes even runs after the bus. That is, in his life there is a certain level of physical activity. But it is clearly not enough for the normal functioning of the body! There is a significant debt volume of muscle activity.
Over time, our average citizen begins to notice that something is wrong with his health: shortness of breath, tingling in different places, periodic pain, weakness, lethargy, irritability and so on. And the further - the worse.
How does the lack of physical activity affect the body?
Cell
Most researchers associate the primary mechanisms of aging with disorders in the genetic apparatus of cells, the program of protein biosynthesis. During normal operation, DNA damage cells are restored due to the existence of a special DNA repair system, the activity of which decreases with age, which contributes to the growth of the damaged chain of the macromolecule, the accumulation of its fragments.
One of the reasons for this weakening of cellular regulation is the lack of overall activity of the organism. In many cells, oxygen consumption decreases, the activity of respiratory enzymes decreases, the content of energy-rich phosphorus compounds - ATP, creatine phosphate.
The formation of energy potentials occurs in the mitochondria of the cell. With age, the synthesis of mitochondrial proteins decreases, reduces the amount, and their degradation occurs.
The lability of cells and cellular compounds decreases, i.e. their ability to reproduce frequent rhythms of excitations without their transformation.
Decreased cell mass. Cellular body mass of a healthy 25-year-old male
makes up 47% of the total body weight, and in 70-year-olds, only 36%.
Insufficiency of cellular activity in many tissues of the body contributes to the accumulation of "undigested residues" (excretory inclusions) in cells, which gradually form large reserves in the cell of "senile pigment" - lipofuscin, which impairs the functional functioning of cells.
As a result, there is an intensive accumulation of free radicals in the cells of the whole organism, which causes genetic changes in the cell. There is a critical state of risk of cancer.
Central nervous system (CNS)
With a lack of movement, the volume of impulses from proprioreceptors is significantly reduced. But it is precisely a sufficient level of signals from them that maintains the biologically necessary tone of the central nervous system, ensuring its adequate work to control the body. Therefore, with a lack of motor activity, the following occurs:
The connections between the muscles and the central nervous system worsen
Fatigue sets in quickly
Decreased coordination of movements
Trophic (nutritional) functions of the nervous system are disturbed
The connections between the central nervous system and internal organs worsen, which causes an increase in humoral regulation and a violation of hormonal balance.
The lability of many brain structures decreases, differences in the excitability of various parts of the brain are smoothed out.
The functioning of sensory systems deteriorates
Emotional instability, irritability
All this causes a deterioration in the work of attention, memory, thinking.
Note that it is non-dividing cells (which include nerve, connective, etc.) that age in the first place.
Respiratory system
Lack of movement leads to atrophy of the respiratory muscles. Bronchial peristalsis is weakened. The walls of the bronchi with age are infiltrated by lymphoid and plasma elements, mucus and exfoliating epithelium accumulate in their lumens. This causes a decrease in the lumen of the bronchi. Violated permeability and the number of functioning capillaries.
The lack of muscle activity is reflected in the respiratory function as follows:
Decreased depth of breathing
Decreased lung capacity
Decreased minute volume of breathing
Decreased maximum pulmonary ventilation
All this leads to a decrease in oxygen saturation of arterial blood and insufficient oxygen supply to tissues at rest. In diseases accompanied by an increase in body temperature, the respiratory system is not able to supply organs and tissues with oxygen in the right amount, which leads to metabolic disorders and premature wear of organs. And with muscular work, even of moderate intensity, oxygen debt arises, its duration decreases, and the recovery time also increases.
The cardiovascular system
In a normal state, the main part of the workload of the cardiovascular system is to ensure the return of venous blood from the lower body to the heart. This is facilitated by:
1. Pushing blood through the veins during muscle contraction;
2. Suction action chest due to the creation of negative pressure in it during inhalation.
3. The device of the venous bed.
With a chronic lack of muscle work with the cardiovascular system, the following pathological changes occur:
The effectiveness of the “muscle pump” decreases - as a result of insufficient strength and activity of the skeletal muscles;
The effectiveness of the "respiratory pump" to ensure venous return is significantly reduced;
Cardiac output decreases (due to a decrease in systolic volume - a weak myocardium can no longer push out as much blood as before);
The reserve of increase in the stroke volume of the heart is limited when performing physical activity;
The heart rate (HR) increases. This is due to the fact that the effect of cardiac output and other factors to ensure venous return has decreased, but the body needs to maintain a vital level of blood circulation;
Despite the increase in heart rate, the time for a complete blood circulation increases;
As a result of an increase in heart rate, the autonomic balance shifts towards increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system;
Vegetative reflexes from the baroreceptors of the carotid arch and aorta are weakened, which leads to a breakdown in the adequate informativeness of the mechanisms for regulating the proper level of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood;
Hemodynamic provision (the required intensity of blood circulation) lags behind the growth of energy demands during physical activity, which leads to an earlier inclusion of anaerobic sources of energy, a decrease in the threshold of anaerobic metabolism;
The amount of circulating blood decreases, i.e., a larger volume of it is deposited (stored in the internal organs);
The muscular layer of the vessels atrophies, their elasticity decreases;
Myocardial nutrition worsens (looks ahead ischemic disease hearts - every tenth dies from it);
The myocardium atrophies (why do you need a strong heart muscle if high-intensity work is not required?).
The cardiovascular system detrains. Its adaptability is reduced. The risk of developing cardiovascular diseases increases.
A decrease in vascular tone as a result of the above reasons, as well as smoking and an increase in cholesterol, leads to arteriosclerosis (hardening of blood vessels), the vessels of the elastic type are most susceptible to it - the aorta, coronary, renal and cerebral arteries. The vascular reactivity of hardened arteries (their ability to contract and expand in response to signals from the hypothalamus) is reduced. Atherosclerotic plaques form on the walls of blood vessels. Increased peripheral vascular resistance. Fibrosis, hyaline degeneration develops in small vessels (capillaries), which leads to insufficient blood supply to the main organs, especially the myocardium of the heart.
Increased peripheral vascular resistance, as well as a vegetative shift towards sympathetic activity, becomes one of the causes of hypertension (an increase in pressure, mainly arterial). Due to the decrease in the elasticity of the vessels and their expansion, the lower pressure decreases, which causes an increase in pulse pressure (the difference between the lower and upper pressures), which eventually leads to an overload of the heart.
Hardened arterial vessels become less elastic and more fragile, and begin to collapse, thrombi (blood clots) form at the site of ruptures. This leads to thromboembolism - separation of the clot and its movement in the blood stream. Stopping somewhere in the arterial tree, it often causes serious complications in that it impedes the movement of blood. It often causes sudden death if a clot occludes a vessel in the lungs (pneumoembolism) or in the brain (cerebral vascular incident).
Heart attack, heart pain, spasms, arrhythmia and a number of other cardiac pathologies arise due to one mechanism - coronary vasospasm. At the time of the attack and pain, the cause is a potentially reversible nerve spasm of the coronary artery, which is based on atherosclerosis and ischemia (insufficient oxygen supply) of the myocardium.
Stroke, like cardiovascular disease, is a degenerative process associated with arteriosclerosis, the only difference is that the focus of degeneration (the location of pathological changes) is the delicate vessels that supply blood to the brain. The cerebral blood vessels are not spared from the general arterial damage caused by arteriosclerosis, overexertion, and so on.
Endocrine and digestive systems
Because Since the endocrine system is genetically programmed to ensure the functioning of the body, which produces enough muscle activity, then the lack of physical activity (physical inactivity) causes disturbances in the activity of the endocrine glands.
As a result of the deterioration of the trophism of the tissues of the internal organs and endocrine glands, their functions deteriorate with a compensatory increase in their parts (death of cell groups and hypertrophy of the remaining ones). This applies to the thyroid gland, pancreas, adrenal glands. The blood supply to the stomach wall is disturbed, intestinal peristalsis worsens.
Thus, conditions are created for the emergence of a number of diseases of the endocrine and digestive systems.
All endocrine glands are under the control of the hypothalamic-pituitary complex.
Shifts in some parts of this most complex regulatory system are gradually causing changes in other links as well. For example, in men, testosterone production decreases with age, while in women it increases.
The mass of the liver is reduced.
Metabolic disease
As a result of a decrease in the activity of the cardiovascular system, endocrine and autonomic dysfunctions arising from insufficient muscle activity, the intensity of oxidative processes in the tissues of internal organs (hypoxia) decreases, which leads to their degeneration and reduced performance.
There is a violation of lipid, carbohydrate, and later, vitamin metabolism.
It is known that the rate of aging processes after a person has reached full physical maturity is determined by the intensity of metabolism and the rate of cell proliferation (consecutive changes in the structure of cells of different tissues during prenatal development). N.I. Arinchin, the author of the tempo-cyclic hypothesis of aging, on the basis of comparative physiological studies, put forward ideas about the significance of the ratio of the processes of excitation and inhibition in the formation of different life spans of animals, about the optimal for each type of speed of cyclic processes occurring at all levels of the body's vital activity.
Due to autonomic imbalance, which causes, among other things, hyperactivity of the hypatolamo-adrenaline system, and a decrease in hypertensive kidney function and hypertrophy of the glomerular apparatus (caused by hypoxia of kidney tissues), sodium and calcium accumulate in the body, while potassium is lost, which is one of the the main reasons for the increase in vascular resistance with all the consequences. And in general, electrolyte balance is the "holy of holies" of the body, and its violation speaks of a very sad future.
As a result of a general decrease in the level of metabolism, a common picture is hyperfunction of the thyroid gland, the hormones of which stimulate many cellular processes, including those that do not need increased stimulation.
Regulatory shifts lead to the activation of genes that determine the formation of antibodies to free proteins in the body, and damage to cells and tissues by immune complexes.
And, finally, it is no secret to anyone that a lack of physical activity leads to obesity, the development, significance and ways of overcoming which can be found in the article "Obesity".
Musculoskeletal system
The musculoskeletal system also undergoes a number of changes:
The blood supply to the muscles worsens (including due to a decrease in the number of working capillaries);
Metabolism in the muscle decreases (the efficiency of transformation processes decreases, including the formation of ATP);
As a result, the synthesis of ATP is reduced, which is a direct source of energy not only in the muscle, but also in the cells of the whole organism;
Contractile properties of muscles worsen;
Decreased muscle tone;
Decreased muscle strength, speed and endurance (especially static);
The proprioceptive sensitivity of the muscles is impaired (the ability to supply the central nervous system with information about the current location of the muscles in space);
There is a decrease in muscle mass and volume;
Increased excretion of calcium in the urine (this is one of the reasons for the decrease in bone strength);
Violated calcium-phosphorus metabolism in the bones;
Osteoporosis, osteochondrosis, hernia, arthrosis, arthritis and other degenerative and inflammatory processes in the bones and surrounding tissues;
Spinal deformity (with all the ensuing problems);
Decrease in body size with age.
Due to metabolic disorders and poor trophism of bone tissue, there is a significant replacement of bone tissue with fatty tissue. (Sometimes - up to 50% of the state in youth.) Erythropoiesis (hematopoiesis) decreases and the ratio of leukocytes changes. COE (blood clotting) may increase, which contributes to thrombosis. This causes diseases such as anemia, leukemia, etc.
Here is a summary of the consequences of insufficient muscle loading. Therefore, it is not surprising that hypokinesia and physical inactivity are considered risk factors for the development of diseases along with smoking and alcoholism.
It should be noted that the lack of muscle activity is especially dangerous in childhood and school age. It leads to a slowdown in the formation of the body, negatively affects the development of the respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine and other systems, resulting in insufficient development of the cerebral cortex. Attention, memory, thinking, character traits worsen, and social adaptation is formed with deviations, which forms the risk of the formation of psychopathologies.
There is also an increase in the incidence of colds and infectious diseases and increases the likelihood of their transition to chronic.
The effect of physical activity on the body
The value of physical activity has been known since antiquity. That is why systems of physical improvement appeared and developed in various areas of the globe.
A special role is played by motor activity as a factor in the functional induction of the processes of synthesis of biochemical compounds and the restoration of cellular structures, and the restoration of excess (accumulation of "free energy" in accordance with the energy rule of skeletal muscles of the negentropic theory of individual development by I.A. Arshavsky, 1982).
Various studies confirm the positive impact of physical culture and health-improving activities on the body: immunity normalizes, the risk of getting colds, infectious, cardiovascular diseases decreases, life expectancy increases, work productivity increases, well-being improves.
With a systematic physical load of medium intensity (65 -75% of the maximum, with a heart rate of 140-160 - see the detailed methodology for calculating the intensity of the load in the nearest site materials), the systems involved in the work, as well as the musculoskeletal system, are trained. Moreover, not only a specific effect takes place (the work of actively participating systems improves), but also a non-specific one (improvement of health in general: the frequency of occurrence of diseases decreases, recovery accelerates).
The functioning of the nervous system improves. The optimal tone of the central nervous system is maintained, coordination of movements improves, regulation of internal organs improves. In the mental sphere, there is a decrease in anxiety, emotional stress, normalization of the psycho-emotional sphere, a decrease in aggressiveness, an increase in self-esteem and self-confidence.
Improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Cardiac volume, systolic blood volume, cardiac output at rest and during exercise increase, heart rate at rest decreases, adequate vascular tone is maintained, myocardial blood supply improves, venous return is facilitated (due to more efficient use of the “muscle” and “respiratory” pumps) , the number of working capillaries increases, which contributes to increased nutrition and muscle recovery.
The following changes occur in the respiratory system: the depth of breathing increases, its frequency may decrease, the blood supply to the lungs improves, gas exchange processes in them intensify, and the respiratory volume increases.
The following happens in the musculoskeletal system: the volume, strength and endurance of muscles increase, their contractility increases, oxidative capabilities increase, as well as the ability to recover, the work of proprioreceptors improves, posture improves.
Volume of physical activity
It is clear that physical activity is necessary. However, there is a load limit, beyond which additional work is not only useless, but also harmful. With a constant “overload” of the load, a state of overtraining occurs, which can manifest itself in the following:
Sleep is disturbed
Pain in the muscles
The heart rate rises
Increased emotional instability
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Periodic bouts of nausea
Increased chance of getting colds
Blood pressure rises
In addition, excessive loads lead to wear of functional systems that are directly involved in providing work. In this case, negative cross-adaptation occurs - a violation of adaptive capabilities, and systems that are not directly related to this type of load (decreased immunity, impaired intestinal motility, etc.).
High-intensity exercise can cause damage to heart structures and muscles. Prolonged debilitating static loads lead to a decrease in endurance, and dynamic ones lead to increased fatigue. Significant muscle hypertrophy can lead to a deterioration in the provision of their work from the circulatory system, as well as increased production of lactate (a product of oxygen-free, anaerobic glycogen oxidation).
Excessive activity can lead to a shift in autonomic tone towards sympathetic activity, which causes hypertension and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Therefore, it is important to find the optimal level of loads, which, under a given state of the body, will give the maximum training effect.
Various textbooks and health magazines often list average amounts of exercise, as well as training programs that must be performed to stay healthy and strong. For example, below is a table that indicates the required amount of physical activity depending on age.
Optimal volumes of physical activity (A.M. Alekseev, D.M. Dyakov)
Age Amount of physical activity (hours per week)
Preschoolers 21-28
Schoolboy 21-24
Students 10-14
Adults, manual workers
Adults, knowledge workers over 10, individually
Older people 14-21
However, the use of these average figures should be treated with caution. Obviously, the optimal amount of load depends not only on age, but also on the individual level of fitness, health and current psycho-emotional state.
The criteria for optimal load level and training mode can be selected as follows:
The appearance of "muscular joy" after training and its preservation between training sessions (a special elevated emotional state, a state of cheerfulness)
Absence of muscle, joint, tendon pain after training and between them
Performance improvement
Increasing emotional stability
Improving memory and attention
No sleep problems
Appetite improvement
Improving digestion
Endurance Improvement
Strength increase
No increase or significant decrease in heart rate and blood pressure at rest
Conclusions:
Motor activity directly affects the state of all body systems.
An optimal level of physical activity is necessary to maintain health
In the process of training, you need to focus on how you feel and measure some objective indicators of the state of the body.
About what kind of training load for a particular person is necessary (sufficient, but not excessive), you can find in other articles on our site.
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Most people experience from time to time such a weakened state of the body, when it is difficult to move their arms and legs. But muscle weakness is not always the result of some kind of disease. Sometimes a lack of energy manifests itself as a result of banal fatigue after prolonged physical labor, emotional overwork, or too intense unusual training. It happens that muscle weakness occurs after intoxication of the body with viral or bacterial infections.
This article will look at the main causes of muscle insufficiency in adults and children. It is worth noting that pathological conditions in most cases are treatable, but can also become an irreversible process.
Classification of muscle weakness
In medicine, there are three main types of weakened muscle condition:
- Primary weakness;
- Fatigue;
- fatigue.
The first category includes pathological changes in motor tissues that occur after a stroke or due to muscular dystrophy. The patient cannot perform any movements the first time, he has to make efforts to perform the necessary actions in several approaches. At the same time, regardless of the applied efforts, the muscles cannot work with the force that a person needs at the moment. This condition is not normal. With primary muscle weakness, the tissues look drooping, their volume is reduced.
The second category is also called asthenia. During the movement of muscles, a person loses strength, is depleted. But the motor tissues do not actually lose their ability to function, as in the first case. This condition is noted in people with chronic fatigue who endure stressful situations, suffer from depression, heart disease or kidney disease. Muscle weakness develops due to the fact that it takes more time to transfer energy in an exhausted body than in a healthy body.
The third category includes those pathologies in which the muscles work quickly and actively, but get tired after a short period. It takes more time for a person to recover. This condition occurs with myasthenia gravis and dystrophic changes in motor fibers.
The three categories of muscle weakness may occur simultaneously or alternate with each other. Diagnosis of the cause of the disease is quite complicated, but with a competent approach, specialists manage to establish the exact factor that causes certain types of dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system.
Causes of muscle weakness?
In most cases, motor fiber pathologies are not the result of a primary tissue lesion. Basically, muscle weakness occurs due to the negative impact of the following reversible factors:
Lack of physical activity;
Without proper load, muscle tissue is able to atrophy and partially be replaced by a fatty layer. If they are not used, then over time they weaken, become flabby and loose. Even though the fibers themselves do not lose strength, but due to the reduction in mass, they cannot contract as efficiently as they used to. Rapid fatigue appears when performing some movements. But after regular exercise, this process is restored, and the muscle fibers begin to work at full strength again.
senile changes;
With age muscle mass becomes smaller, and tissues lose strength. But even in this case, each person can maintain muscle tone by performing suitable exercises. You should not expect that in old age physical work can be done as quickly as in youth, because the metabolism and energy transfer slow down noticeably.
infectious inflammation;
This is the most common reason why many people experience muscle weakness from time to time. Even after an illness, recovery of strength stretches for several weeks. As a result of a long course of an infectious lesion, chronic fatigue syndrome can develop. Often this happens with influenza, Lyme disease, hepatitis C, sexually transmitted diseases, etc.
Pregnancy;
After conceiving a child, many women experience fatigue. This is due to high hormone levels and iron deficiency. Such a muscle reaction is normal during this period of time, but special light gymnastics can be done to improve the condition.
chronic diseases;
If a person develops pathological vasoconstriction, then general muscle weakness appears from a lack of blood circulation. Diabetes contributes to muscle wasting because high level sugar disrupts the functions of the locomotor apparatus. In addition, with the progression of the disease in patients, innervation is disturbed, arteries are damaged, and heart failure can develop. All these manifestations do not give the muscles normal nutrition, as a result of which they weaken and lose their physical shape.
From lung obstruction in the body, oxygen consumption is reduced, which is noticeable when doing some kind of work. Over time, the disease can cause muscle atrophy. Violations of the functionality of the kidneys contribute to an imbalance of electrolytes, the accumulation of toxins. These factors influence the formation of primary muscle weakness.
Diseases of the central nervous system, such as depression and anxiety, always cause a decrease in muscle strength. And with an excessive amount of hormones that respond to pain, patients experience constant weakness, forcing them to save muscle energy. Through discomfort, patients are worried about fatigue.
Injuries;
After sprains, dislocations or damage to muscle tissue in the legs or arms, a person develops an inflammatory process, accompanied by swelling. After that, patients become lethargic, and motor processes cause pain. The first symptoms of injury are pain and swelling, but then weakness may appear.
Medicines;
Often, taking medication provokes muscle damage. If side effects are not noticed in time, then the patient develops fatigue and even atrophy. Antibiotics, painkillers, statins, steroids, chemotherapy, interferons, thyroid medications can have a negative effect.
Bad habits;
Alcohol abuse, drug use and smoking have been shown to cause symptoms of muscle weakness. For example, smoking leads to the development of problems in the hands, and alcoholism contributes to poor coordination of movements in the legs.
Other causes of muscle atrophy or weakness include:
- Fibromyalgia (pain appears on palpation of tissues);
- Hypothyroidism (lack of hormones);
- Dehydration (salt imbalance, dehydration);
- Rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia, dermatomyositis;
- oncological diseases;
- muscle neuralgia;
- Multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, Parkinson's.
General muscle weakness may develop gradually if it is the result of a long-term course of another disease. And it can occur suddenly due to acute damage to nerve fibers, muscles, and the vascular network.
Diagnosis and treatment of muscle weakness
To establish the cause that causes muscle weakness syndrome or mild malaise in a patient, clinical manifestations of pathological changes should be identified. The doctor will want to know when fatigue began to disturb, what were the first symptoms of ailments. Does the patient have a deterioration general condition Or vice versa, are there improvements? Is weakness due to rapid weight loss or moving to another country? Has the person taken any medication?
When examining a patient, a specialist determines dystrophy or a decrease in tone in specific muscles. It also clarifies whether the problem is real or suspected. On palpation of the fibers, it can be noted whether there is inflammation of the tissues.
After that, the doctor checks the nerve conduction to the muscles. If necessary, studies the work of the nervous system, coordination of movements. Then he sends the patient for tests (hormones, electrolytes, etc.).
If after all the studies it is not possible to establish the exact cause, additional examination methods may be required:
- CT/MRI;
- Muscle biopsy.
Since there are so many causes that cause muscle weakness syndrome / fatigue of motor tissues, treatment can be carried out by different specialists based on the true genesis. Therapy of diseases is carried out by a conservative or surgical method.
Muscle weakness is common in childhood. As a rule, in a child, nerve signals are given at a normal speed, but the reaction of the muscles slows down. Because of this, babies cannot hold limbs or body position. long time in a fixed state.
The reasons for this phenomenon are different:
- Syndromes of Down, Marfan, Prader-Willi;
- Rickets;
- Blood poisoning;
- myasthenia;
- Botulism;
- Congenital hypothyroidism;
- Excess vitamin D;
- Muscle dystrophy, spinal atrophy;
- Adverse reactions to vaccines.
No matter for what reason children develop muscle weakness, in any case, their appearance changes. Therefore, even without complaints from the child, specialists can notice problems associated with motor function.
Symptoms of muscle hypotonia are manifested as a result of damage to areas of the brain. With changes in the cerebellum, the child develops general muscle weakness. Very rarely, only individual groups of fibers are involved. The first signs of pathology are:
- For support, children spread their arms and legs;
- They cannot keep their head straight, it is thrown back or lowered to the chest;
- When lifting the baby up, holding it under the armpits, weakened muscles will not allow him to hang on the hands of his parents, they will slide down, involuntarily spreading his forearms to the side and up;
- In a dream, the child will not bend his legs and arms at the joints, they relax, lying flat along the body;
- Infants with muscle weakness syndrome experience a delay in physical activity, as a result of which they are unable to crawl, roll over on their stomach, sit upright, stand, hold objects.
Muscle hypotonia often leads to impaired mobility and posture formation. So in children, reflexes are reduced, joints are dislocated. With severe dysfunctions, it is difficult for a child to swallow and chew food. If this happens, then the babies are given a special probe for feeding. It is more difficult for children to learn to speak, despite the fact that their intelligence does not decrease. The speech apparatus cannot function normally due to degeneration of the muscles of the respiratory system. As soon as parents notice the symptoms of muscle hypotension, they need to see a specialist to start treatment faster.
Therapy of the disease is carried out with the help of physiotherapy procedures. The main course of treatment is prescribed only after establishing the exact cause of muscle dysfunction. It also depends on the age of the child and the degree of tissue damage. This task falls on several specialists: neuropathologist, physiotherapist, speech therapist, orthopedist, etc.
The main methods of treatment of children's muscle hypotonia:
- Specially selected gymnastics;
- Physical procedures;
- Classes with a speech therapist to improve speech;
- Development fine motor skills and coordination of movements;
- Selection proper nutrition;
- Formation of posture and gait;
- Prescribing medications to improve muscle tone, relieve inflammation, etc.
It is important to note that even with such a diagnosis, children manage to restore the work of muscle fibers and fully recover. The main thing is to contact specialists as soon as possible.
Many people face the problem of muscle weakness. And everyone seeks to get rid of the feeling of discomfort, resorting to various methods. But it is not always possible to achieve the desired result. In this regard, the concept of effectiveness of therapy arises. For its implementation, it is necessary to establish the cause of the appearance of muscle weakness.
What is muscle weakness and muscle fatigue
Weakness in the muscles is a common phenomenon that includes several concepts. These include dysfunction, tiredness and fatigue.Primary muscle weakness (true)- non-functioning of the muscle, a decrease in power capabilities, the inability of a person to perform an action with the help of a muscle. It is also typical for trained people.
Asthenia - muscle fatigue, exhaustion. The functional abilities of the muscles are preserved, but more effort is required to perform actions. It is typical for people suffering from insomnia, chronic fatigue and heart, kidney, and lung disease.
Muscle fatigue- rapid loss of the ability of the muscles to function normally and their slow recovery, which is often observed with asthenia. Common in people with myotonic dystrophy.
Causes of muscle weakness in the legs and arms
Almost everyone experiences muscle weakness and there are a number of reasons for this:- neurological(stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord and brain injuries, meningitis, poliomyelitis, encephalitis, autoimmune Guillain-Barré disease).
- Lack of physical activity(muscle atrophy due to inactivity).
- Bad habits(smoking, alcohol, cocaine and other psychoactive substances).
- Pregnancy(lack of iron (Fe), increased physical activity, high hormonal levels).
- Old age(weakening of muscles as a result of age-related changes).
- Injuries(damage to muscle tissue, sprain and dislocation).
- Medications(certain drugs or their overdose can cause muscle weakness - antibiotics, anesthetics, oral steroids, interferon and others).
- Intoxication(poisoning of the body with narcotic and other harmful substances).
- Oncology(malignant and benign tumors).
- infections(tuberculosis, HIV, syphilis, severe influenza, hepatitis C, Lyme disease, glandular fever, polio and malaria).
- Cardiovascular diseases(inability to provide the muscles with the necessary amount of blood).
- Endocrine pathologies(diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, electrolyte imbalance).
- Problems with the spine(curvature, osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia).
- Genetic diseases(myasthenia gravis, myotonic dystrophy and muscle dystrophy).
- Sciatic or femoral nerve injury(muscle weakness in only one limb).
- Chronic lung disease(COPD, lack of oxygen) and kidneys(salt imbalance, release of toxins into the blood, lack of vitamin D and calcium (Ca)).
Lack of sleep, dehydration, anemia, anxiety, and depression can also lead to muscle weakness.
Symptoms of muscle weakness
A feeling of weakness in the arms, legs or body is often accompanied by drowsiness, fever, chills, impotence and apathy. Each of the symptoms informs about serious problems of the body as a whole.There are frequent manifestations of muscle weakness at elevated temperature, which is a consequence of inflammatory processes - bronchitis, a common cold, cold kidneys, etc. The slightest jump in temperature leads to incorrect work of metabolic processes, and the body gradually loses its functional abilities. Therefore, at temperature, weakness and muscle weakness are observed, and not only in the limbs.
Manifestations of the disease are also characteristic of intoxication. Poisoning of the body can be caused by stale foods, hepatitis, a certain virus, etc.
In addition, weakness and drowsiness can be a dangerous pathology of an allergic and infectious nature. Brucellosis is considered the most dangerous, often depriving its carrier of life.
There is weakness in the muscles and blood infections - leukemia and myeloid leukemia. The same symptomatology is manifested in rheumatism.
Contribute to the formation of the main symptom and somatic diseases, including amyloidosis, Crohn's disease (associated with digestion), kidney failure and cancerous tumors.
Disorders of the endocrine system lead to muscle weakness, as do epilepsy, neurasthenia, depression and neurosis.
Myasthenia. How to overcome muscle weakness (video)
The video talks about muscle weakness, what it is and the reasons for its occurrence. How to deal with such a phenomenon as myasthenia gravis. And what are the consequences of the lack of timely therapy.
Muscle weakness in VVD, depression, neurosis
VVD (vegetative-vascular dystonia) manifests itself in several diseases, including hormonal disorders and mitochondrial pathology. A number of symptoms are formed against the background of autonomic dysfunction of the vascular system and heart muscle. This is what leads to circulatory disorders.As a result, the limbs do not receive enough oxygen and red blood cells. Difficulty removing carbon dioxide from the body. This causes severe weakness, or even body aches, and when the VVD is running, fainting.
The best way to eliminate the disease is physical activity. To normalize metabolic processes, lactic acid is needed, the production of which stops with low physical activity. Doctors recommend moving more - walking, running, doing daily workouts.
Drug and folk therapies are not only ineffective, but are also fraught with complications in case of muscle weakness against the background of VVD.
Depression against the background of disappointment, loss, bad mood and other difficulties can drive you into a melancholy state. Symptoms may include lack of appetite, nausea, dizziness, strange thoughts, pain in the heart - all this manifests itself in the form of weakness, including muscle weakness.
With depression, overcoming muscle weakness will help such procedures:
- positive emotions;
- help of a psychotherapist (with severe depression).
Muscle weakness in a child
The occurrence of muscle weakness is typical not only for adults, but also for children. Often they have a time difference between the supply of a nerve signal and the subsequent reaction of the muscles. And this explains the behavior of babies who are unable to keep the body or limbs in a fixed position for a long time.The causes of muscle weakness in a child can be:
- myasthenia gravis;
- congenital hypothyroidism;
- botulism;
- rickets;
- muscular dystrophy and spinal atrophy;
- blood poisoning;
- consequences of drug therapy;
- an excess of vitamin D;
- Down syndrome (Prader-Willi, Marfan).
With the development of muscle weakness, regardless of its cause, the child's appearance changes.
Primary symptoms of muscle weakness in a child:
- using the limbs as a support through their placement to the sides;
- involuntary placement of hands, slipping when lifting by the armpits (the child cannot hang on the parent's arms with the armpits);
- inability to keep the head straight (lowering, tilting);
- lack of flexion of the limbs during sleep (arms and legs are located along the body);
- general delay in physical development (inability to hold objects, sit upright, crawl and roll over).
- Special exercises.
- Proper nutrition.
- Development of coordination of movements, as well as fine motor skills.
- Development of posture and formation of gait.
- Physiotherapy procedures.
- Medicines (anti-inflammatory and tonic muscles).
- Sometimes a trip to a speech therapist (improvement of speech).
It is possible to restore muscle function in a child with any diagnosis, but subject to a timely visit to the doctor.
When to see a doctor
Often, muscle weakness is the result of overwork or temporary weakness. But in some cases, it may indicate the presence of a serious illness. And if the weakness is intermittent or permanent, you should immediately visit a doctor.To find out the cause of discomfort, such specialists as a therapist, neurologist, endocrinologist, surgeon and others will help. You will also need to pass some tests and undergo a series of examinations.
If muscle weakness is rare, there is no sensation of pain or numbness, and it resolves quickly, doctors recommend doing the following on your own:
- balance the diet;
- drink more purified water;
- take more walks in the fresh air.
Diagnostics
Before prescribing effective treatment, specialists carry out the necessary diagnostic measures, including instrumental and laboratory examinations. For a patient with muscle weakness, the following procedures are provided:- Consultation of a neurologist.
- Blood test (general and antibodies).
- Cardiogram of the heart.
- Examination of the thymus.
- Electromyography (determination of the amplitude of muscle potential).
Treatment
If muscle weakness is caused by overwork, it is enough to let the limbs rest after a power load or a long walk (especially in uncomfortable shoes). In other cases, appropriate therapy may be prescribed:- muscle development through special exercises;
- medicines to improve brain activity and blood circulation;
- drugs that remove toxins from the body;
- antibacterial agents for infections in the spinal cord or brain;
- increased neuromuscular activity through special drugs;
- elimination of the consequences of poisoning;
- surgical intervention aimed at removing tumors, abscesses and hematomas.
Increasing weakness on the left side may signal a stroke.
Folk methods
You can fight muscle weakness at home. To do this, you must take the following steps:- Take 2-3 tbsp. l. grape juice a day.
- Drink 1 glass of unpeeled potato decoction three times a week.
- Every evening, use an infusion of motherwort (10%) in volume? glass.
- Make a mixture of walnuts and wild honey (proportions 1 to 1), eat every day (course - several weeks).
- Include low-fat protein foods (fish, poultry) in your diet.
- Increase your intake of foods containing iodine.
- 30 minutes before a meal, drink a mixture of 2 tbsp. l. sugar, ? cups of cranberry juice and 1 cup of lemon juice.
- Take orally 30 minutes before eating tinctures of ginseng, aralia or lemongrass.
- Take relaxing baths with essential oils or citrus fruits (water temperature should vary between 37-38 degrees Celsius).
- 2 tbsp juniper (berries) and 1 cup of boiling water will calm the nervous system, restore muscle tone.
- Instead of water, drink a chilled infusion made from 1 tbsp. oat straw and 0.5 liters of boiling water.
Possible consequences and complications
Lack of physical activity provokes a decrease in muscle tone and entails a number of other problems. These should include:- deterioration in coordination;
- slow metabolism (see also -);
- decreased immunity (susceptibility to viral diseases);
- problems with the heart muscle (tachycardia, bradycardia and hypotension);
- swelling of the limbs;
- excess weight gain.
Prevention
To avoid problems associated with muscle fatigue, it is recommended to follow a few simple rules:- Adhere to proper nutrition (with the inclusion in the diet of foods rich in protein and calcium, cereals, vegetables, herbs, honey, vitamins) and lifestyle.
- Spend enough time working, resting and playing sports.
- Control blood pressure.
- Avoid stress and excessive fatigue.
- Be outdoors.
- Give up bad habits.
- Contact your doctor if you have serious problems.
In old age, it is desirable to abandon a sedentary lifestyle, devote more time to therapeutic exercises and walks in the fresh air, and also not to neglect massage therapy.
The video deals with a congenital disease - dysplasia, characterized by leg and hand weakness, frequent dizziness and high blood pressure. Special exercises and proper breathing to eliminate weakness.Muscle weakness is a phenomenon inherent in everyone. Everyone can fight the disease, especially in cases of overwork and lack of physical activity. But for more serious reasons, you will need the help of a specialist. He diagnoses the problem and prescribes effective treatment. Stick to the recommendations, and myasthenia gravis will bypass you.
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