Hypotonia – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com
Wednesday, April 25, 2018 by Michelle Simmons
http://www.naturalpedia.com/hypotonia-causes-side-effects-and-treatments-at-naturalpedia-com.html
Hypotonia is decreased muscle tone. According to the National Health Service (NHS) in the U.K., hypotonia is a symptom rather than a condition. It can be a result of a number of underlying problems. Muscle tone and movement involve the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles.
Hypotonia may be due to a problem anywhere along the pathway that controls muscle movement. These may include brain damage caused by lack of oxygen before or right after birth, or problems with brain formation; disorders of the muscles, such as muscular dystrophy; disorders that affect the nerves that supply muscles; disorders that interrupt the ability of nerves to send messages to the muscles; and infections. Other disorders that can result in hypotonia inlcude achondroplasia, being born with hypothyroidism, poisons or toxins, and spinal cord injuries that happen around the time of birth.
Known side effects of hypotonia
When hypotonia occurs in infants, one of the side effects of it is a floppy quality appearance as their arms and legs hang by their sides. Infants with this condition also have very little or no control over their head. They may also feel limp, be unable to put weight on leg or shoulder muscles, have difficulty in swallowing or sucking, and have a weak cry. Other side effects of hypotonia include mobility problems, breathing and speech difficulties, ligament and joint laxity, and poor reflexes.
When hypotonia occurs in adults, their symptoms usually include clumsiness and falling often, difficulty with getting up from lying or sitting position, high flexibility in hips, elbows, and knees, and difficulty reaching for or lifting objects.
Body systems harmed by hypotonia
The body systems harmed by hypotonia include the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems.
List of foods or nutrients that prevent hypotonia
The foods that may help prevent hypotonia include foods rich in protein, such as eggs, chicken, turkey, fish, dairy, beans, and legumes. Vitamin D may also help prevent hypotonia as it affects the ability of the body to build muscle. In addition to sunlight, other sources of vitamin D include fortified milk, orange juice, cereals, beef liver, egg yolks, and fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel.
Treatments, management plans for hypotonia
The treatment plan for hypotonia depends on the underlying cause. If treatment for the underlying cause of hypotonia is not available or not possible, treatment for hypotonia will mainly focus on trying to improve and support the patient’s muscle function through the use of various therapies, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy.
Where to learn more
- 12 Signs that you are Protein Deficient
- 7 Health Benefits Of Swimming
- Top 25 healthy muscle building foods
- Why you need your minerals
- Significance of Strength Training
Summary
Hypotonia is defined as decreased muscle tone.
Hypotonia in infants causes them to appear floppy and have little to no control over their head.
Hypotonia in infants causes weak cry, mobility problems, breathing and speech difficulties, ligament and joint laxity, and poor reflexes.
Hypotonia in adults causes clumsiness and falling often, difficulty with getting up from lying or sitting position, high flexibility in hips, elbows, and knees, and difficulty reaching for or lifting objects.
Hypotonia affects the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems.
Hypotonia can be prevented with foods rich in protein and vitamin D.
Treatment plans for hypotonia vary, depending on its underlying cause.
Hypotonia can be treated with therapies, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy, to improve the patient’s quality of life.
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