Alcoholic Myopathy: Signs, Causes, and Treatment
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We all know those muscle aches we wake up with the morning after we finish a long hike, try a new kickboxing workout, or stretch our limbs in a new yoga routine. But maybe you’ve experienced this effect after a night of drinking. What gives? Was there a set of jumping jacks (or 10, or 20) you forgot you did between rounds of Trivia Night? Or did a night out on the town magically serve as an equivalent of a trip to the gym?
Turns out, booze itself might be the culprit. Alcohol can induce a condition known as alcoholic myopathy, an uncomfortable muscle condition. Let’s learn what those sore muscles after drinking are all about — and what we can do about it!
Derived from the Greek “myo” (muscle) and “pathy” (suffering), the term myopathy describes various types of muscle disease. What’s behind this “muscle suffering”? It could have a number of different causes, but the result is that the structure, metabolism, or function of our skeletal muscles is affected to the point of interfering with our daily life.
Myopathy can be chronic or acute. Symptoms can range from mildly unpleasant to downright debilitating:
The causes can vary, but generally fall into two categories: inherited and acquired.
Inherited myopathy includes congenital myopathies (in which all muscles are usually affected), those caused by mitochondrial deficiencies, metabolic myopathies (caused by faulty metabolic processes that deplete the muscles of resources they need to function) and muscular dystrophies (progressive degeneration of muscles).
Acquired myopathies, on the other hand, have a number of possible causes ranging from autoimmune or inflammatory diseases to endocrine issues, electrolyte imbalances, illness, and — yes — toxins, such as alcohol.
Early detection is key! A healthcare professional can help pinpoint the root of the problem and make an accurate diagnosis. In the case of alcoholic myopathy, we can do a great deal of prevention before we even get to the point of symptoms.
So what does alcohol have to do with it? Can it really affect our muscles? Science says yes! While the mechanism isn’t very well understood, it’s well-documented and can lead to serious problems if left unaddressed.
How common is alcoholic myopathy? According to an Alcohol Research article, as many as 40% to 60% of people diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD) will develop alcoholic myopathy. While the liver gets the most airtime when it comes to the negative effects of alcohol on the body, muscle disease is actually about five times more common.
Alcoholic myopathy can be acute (arising after a heavy binge) or chronic (building up over time). Here are the signs of each:
There are three main ways in which alcohol messes with our muscles:
While these three are the main mechanisms behind alcoholic myopathy, booze contributes in other ways as well. Its tendency to cause inflammation can make matters worse. It can also cause oxidative stress (a process that contributes to tissue damage), mitochondrial dysfunction (glitches in the ways muscle cells use energy), and epigenetic changes that tweak the cellular processes supporting muscle function.
Finally, alcohol can also make it more difficult to bounce back from tissue injuries — not just because of its effects on muscle growth, but by causing dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
How long does alcoholic myopathy take to develop? It depends. For some of us, the symptoms start cropping up sooner rather than later. However, there are a few factors that tend to make chronic alcoholic myopathy in particular more likely to show up.
Now for the big question, can alcoholic myopathy be reversed? Yes, it can (phew!). If we go easy on the booze, our muscles have a chance to recover. There are several strategies doctors use to give our muscles a helping hand.
So what can you do to give your muscles (and the rest of your body and mind) a breather when it comes to alcohol? Here are a few tips:
We rarely think about how much our muscles do for us every day until something goes wrong or doesn’t feel quite like it should. Let’s be proactive about our health — both when it comes to our muscles and in our journey to a happier, healthier version of ourselves. In the words of writer Haruki Murakami, “I move, therefore I am.” So let’s keep moving!
1. What is alcoholic myopathy?
Alcoholic myopathy is a condition that results from excessive drinking. Symptoms include muscle weakness, cramping, and atrophy (a decrease in muscle mass).
2. What is the difference between acute and chronic alcoholic myopathy, and what are the signs and symptoms of both?
Acute alcoholic myopathy occurs suddenly and is often associated with a recent binge of heavy drinking. Acute alcoholic myopathy symptoms include muscle pain, swelling, and weakness, particularly in the shoulders, thighs, and hips, which can lead to difficulty walking and moving.
Chronic alcoholic myopathy takes longer to develop and is usually the result of long-term alcohol misuse. It’s characterized by a slow but progressive muscle wasting and weakness and lacks the pain and tenderness typically seen in the acute form.
3. How is alcoholic myopathy treated?
Alcoholic myopathy is treated through therapies that target protein synthesis and reduce protein degeneration, exercise, and a reduction in alcohol intake.
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