Let's learn everything about the skeletal muscles that move our bodies!

Have you ever wondered how we raise our hands, walk, or smile? The main hero behind all these movements, and many other things we don't think about, is the muscular system attached to our skeleton. Without them, we wouldn't be able to stand, talk, or eat. So, today we're going to talk about this amazing part of our body, the skeletal muscle.

What are skeletal muscles?

Simply put, skeletal muscles are the muscle tissue that is attached to your skeleton, or bones . These muscles are the main reason why all the movements in our body occur. Another name for these muscles is "voluntary muscles ." The reason is that when and how these muscles are activated is controlled by your brain, according to your will. Think about it, when you want to raise your hand, it's something you do consciously. That's it.

These muscles aren't just in your limbs. These same skeletal muscles also control openings in your body, such as your throat , anus, and urethra .

How are these different from other muscle types?

There are three main types of muscles in our body. They are skeletal muscles, cardiac muscles, and smooth muscles. Each of these types has a different structure and function. Let's understand this difference a little more clearly.

See the difference? While we consciously control skeletal muscles, cardiac and smooth muscles operate according to signals received from our Autonomic Nervous System, without us even realizing it.

What service do skeletal muscles provide to our bodies?

The function of these muscles is very important to our daily lives and overall health.

1. Creating movement

Every movement we make, whether it's walking , running, or jumping, starts and stops with these muscles. When a muscle contracts, it pulls on the bone, which is connected to it, and movement occurs. These muscles also control things like chewing, swallowing, and urinating .

2. Keeping the body stable

Skeletal muscles help you stand up straight and maintain proper posture. These muscles constantly make small adjustments to keep our bones stable. Without these muscles, our joints could easily buckle.

3. Controlling body temperature

Imagine shivering when you're cold, right? That's when your brain receives a signal that your body temperature is low, and your muscles begin to contract and relax rapidly. This process uses energy (ATP) to generate heat. That heat helps your body temperature return to normal.

4. Protecting internal organs

These muscles act as a protective shield, especially for organs in the abdominal cavity, such as the liver and kidneys. They also help support the weight of those organs.

5. Nutrient storage

Our muscles store an energy source called glycogen and amino acids , which are the building blocks of proteins. This glycogen is used when energy is needed, such as during exercise. These amino acids are also used when the body needs protein.

What are the symptoms that can identify a muscle problem?

It's normal to feel sore after a hard day of exercise. This is due to the buildup of chemicals like lactic acid in the muscles. This pain will go away on its own within 3-5 days. There's nothing to worry about.

Below are some of the symptoms that could indicate a serious muscle problem:

• Frequent muscle twitching or spasms (`Cramps`)
• Involuntary muscle twitching or spasms (`Spasms` or `Twitching`)
• Severe pain that occurs even without exercise
• Unexplained weakness or difficulty moving the limbs
• Muscle shrinkage or reduction in size (`Muscle Loss`)
• Inability to control urine or stool
• Difficulty swallowing food
• Loss of balance and frequent falls
• Feeling extremely tired even after doing small tasks

If you continue to have one or more of these symptoms, it is very important to talk to a doctor about it.

What are the diseases that affect skeletal muscles?

Myopathy is the general name for diseases that affect skeletal muscles. There are many types of diseases under this category.

• Infections: Some bacterial or viral infections can affect the muscles.
• Toxic Myopathy: Some medications, drugs, or toxins can damage muscles.
• Hormone Myopathy: Problems with the thyroid gland or other hormonal glands can cause muscle weakness.
• Genetic diseases: Diseases caused by genetic changes.
• Autoimmune Diseases: Diseases caused by the body's own immune system attacking the muscles.

In addition to this, it is good to be aware of a few specific medical conditions.

• Myasthenia Gravis:What happens here is that the body's immune system attacks the receptors in the muscles that receive nerve signals. This prevents the muscles from receiving the signals properly, causing extreme fatigue and weakness.
• Muscular Dystrophies: These are a group of inherited diseases. Over time, muscles atrophy and weaken. Some types are not serious, but others can cause severe disability.
• Sarcopenia: This is a common condition that occurs with aging. Over time, muscle mass decreases, leading to decreased strength and mobility. This puts older people at greater risk of falls and injuries.
• Rhabdomyolysis: This is a very serious and urgent condition. In this case, damaged muscles break down, and their proteins and electrolytes leak into the blood. This can cause permanent damage to organs such as the kidneys, and even death. If this condition is suspected, you should immediately go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU).