Question 1

how long on bedrest before muscles start to atrophy?

Accepted Answer

Age and disease: It depends on the age of the patient and the underlying condition.  Elderly are affected more severely.  As a rough guide an elderly person loses about 10% of muscle function per day of immobility.  If there are other factors, e.g., fever, nutritional impairment, trauma, and some medications, e.g., steroids, the muscle atrophy is worsened.

Question 2

can you recover from years of bed rest and severe muscle wasting? also, does prolonged bed rest cause fatigue? if it causes your heart to atrophy, can that be reversed?

Accepted Answer

: This sounds exceedingly complex, and not feasible to comment on prognosis in the absence of medical records and both diagnostic and therapeutic information.  A far more thorough approach can be achieved via a virtual consult  (www.connect@healthtap.com)

Question 3

how can a pregnant woman on bedrest avoid atrophy and blood clots?

Accepted Answer

Support hose: Wearing support hose can help decrease blood clotting risk.  If it is ok with your doctor, you can do isometric exercises to help maintain muscle tone and improve circulation.

Question 4

how long does it take for leg and arm muscles to atrophy if at bedrest fir pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

They won't: Even at bedrest, you can perform arm and leg exercises to keep the muscle tone intact.

Question 5

due to ic and emergent cerclage i'm on bedrest for 11 weeks already(31 weeks today).muscles have gone.does inactivity affect vaginal birth?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say: In my experience, women who stay in shape do better during labor and delivery, but many couch potatoes also do just fine and there are a lot of factors at work here.  It is not like you had a good alternative.  Reaching 31 weeks is already a huge success and a little bit longer is even better.  Best of luck!

Question 6

best way to burn belly fat and tighten muscles from triplets, bedrest and a c-section?

Accepted Answer

Yoga is great: First, congrats!  wow, what a change in your life and your body.  Just about anything will help you get in shape. I particularly like yoga to get back in shape.  Many of the positions strengthen the core and it is gentle enough to prevent you from injuring yourself with the sudden onset of exercise after so many months.  Good luck!

Question 7

lower back muscle strain. better to lie on hard surface or bed for quicker recovery? pain when sit, stand or walk. bed rest for how long?

Accepted Answer

See below: In general no bed rest unless pain is really severe.  It is best to lay on whatever is most comfortable.  Get up and do as much as you can.  General rule of thumb is that if it hurts a little it is ok, but do not go to extremes and use good body mechanics.  Try to keep one foot on a stool or rest. Do not stay in one position too long. If it really hurts don't do it. Time cures this.

Question 8

getting up after prolonged bed rest. bp drops heart rate shoots up, and feel heavy,weak. could it be heart failure, or multiple system atrophy?

Accepted Answer

Orthostatic BP: This sudden low BP and increased heart rate is what we call Orthostatic Hypotension. It's not uncommon after being in supine position (lying down) for prolonged periods of time. When you get out of bed, let your legs hang down by the bed for several minutes then slowly get out of bed. This should solve your problem. Also check if you are using any OTC medicines that can make your BP go down.

Question 9

in als and other neurological diseases, how rapid is muscle weakness and/or atrophy? if i have gone almost a full year, if not longer and have not experienced obvious muscle weakness or atrophy does this rule it out?

Accepted Answer

Varies: The weakness from different neurological diseases varies greatly from person to person. Some people can go decades without weakness developing, others progress rapidly. My husband has had MS for 26 years and is still walking. Please see a neurologist yearly if you have concerns so they can compare your strength and reflexes from bvb year to CV year.

Question 10

if i stop doing something how long before the muscles start to atrophy?

Accepted Answer

A Few Days: Even after a few days of inactivity you muscles will begin the process of diminishing in strength and size. Even relatively light workouts can maintain muscle tone, however. Space station astronauts engage in regular exercise and muscle conditioning so that their muscles (including their heart) will be able to function properly upon their return to gravity.

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Doctor answers about:

How long on bedrest before muscles start to atrophy

A member asked:

How long on bedrest before muscles start to atrophy?

A member asked:

Can you recover from years of bed rest and severe muscle wasting? also, does prolonged bed rest cause fatigue? if it causes your heart to atrophy, can that be reversed?

A member asked:

How can a pregnant woman on bedrest avoid atrophy and blood clots?

A member asked:

How long does it take for leg and arm muscles to atrophy if at bedrest fir pregnancy?

A member asked:

Due to ic and emergent cerclage i'm on bedrest for 11 weeks already(31 weeks today).muscles have gone.does inactivity affect vaginal birth?

A member asked:

Best way to burn belly fat and tighten muscles from triplets, bedrest and a c-section?

A member asked:

Lower back muscle strain. better to lie on hard surface or bed for quicker recovery? pain when sit, stand or walk. bed rest for how long?

A member asked:

Getting up after prolonged bed rest. bp drops heart rate shoots up, and feel heavy,weak. could it be heart failure, or multiple system atrophy?

A member asked:

In als and other neurological diseases, how rapid is muscle weakness and/or atrophy? if i have gone almost a full year, if not longer and have not experienced obvious muscle weakness or atrophy does this rule it out?

A member asked:

If i stop doing something how long before the muscles start to atrophy?

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