Muscle wasting with inactivity Flashcards
What happens to the cardiovascular system with inactivity?
Decrease in total blood volume
- Fluid shift centrally after 12 hours, triggering atrial natriuretic peptide to urinate “excess” fluid
- Hypotension
Tachycardia
- Decrease in the threshold for arrhythmias
Decreased stroke volume
Decreased O2 carrying capacity
What happens to the respiratory system with inactivity?
Decrease in lung tidal volume
- Drop in residual volume increases risk of lung collapse
Ciliary can’t clear pooling secretions as effectively when lying supine
- Dehydration causes pooled mucus to thicken
- Impaired gas exchange
Airway diameters constricting
What happens to the gastrointestinal system with inactivity?
GI mucosal atrophy and shrinkage of glandular structures
GI contents become more acidic
Decreased peristalsis
- Bowel obstruction
What happens to bones during inactivity?
Loss of bone density, leading to osteoporosis
- Osteoclasts constantly breaking down bone
- Osteoblasts are stimulated to make bone by stresses on bones
Increased blood calcium from breaking down bone
- Increases chance of renal stones
What happens to connective tissue during inactivity?
Tendons get softer
- More inefficient transfer of force from muscle to bone
Ligament load-bearing capacity decreases
Fibro-fatty infiltration of joints and destruction of cartilage
What happens to muscle tissue during inactivity?
Muscle atrophy
- Weight-bearing muscles weaken first
Loss of motor neurons and motor axons to innervate muscles
Muscle shortening
- Contractures
What can happen to the skin during inactivity?
Pressure injuries
Altered sensation
What can be done to prevent wasting?
Resistance exercise
- Weights
- Resistance bands
Stretching
- Delays effects on the musculoskeletal system
Weight-bearing
- Delays effects on bone, renal system and skin
Endurance training
- Delays respiratory and cardiac effects
Adequate nutrition
- Amino acids and carbohydrate supplementation to increase protein synthesis
