Muscle loss - Vitality Medical

Muscle loss, also known as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle cells shrink or degrade as a result of disuse, poor nutrition, aging, or disease. This leads to reduced muscle strength, mass, and performance. Some key points about muscle loss include:

• What causes it? Muscle loss can be caused by lack of physical activity, malnutrition, injury, illness, aging, or hormonal changes. As we get older, muscle loss accelerates due to more sedentary lifestyles and age-related hormonal changes.
• What are the symptoms? Noticeable symptoms of muscle loss are feeling weaker, fatigue, loss of coordination, decreased metabolism, weight loss, loose skin where muscle used to be, and frequent falls or inability to get up from a fall.
• Who is at risk? Those at higher risk for muscle loss include people recovering from surgery/illness, the elderly, and astronauts in space. Other risk factors are malnutrition, sedentary lifestyle, chronic diseases, and medications like corticosteroids.
• How can it be prevented? Resistance training and eating enough protein can help minimize muscle loss. For the elderly, experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days along with sufficient protein intake. Staying active and fit can offset much of the age-related muscle loss.
• What are the consequences? Muscle loss reduces strength and mobility, increasing risk of falls and fractures. It also lowers resting metabolic rate, making it easier to gain fat. Severe muscle loss can impact quality of life and ability to complete daily activities.

So in summary, muscle loss involves the breakdown of muscle fibers leading to reduced strength and mobility. It can result from inactivity, poor nutrition, aging or illness. Staying physically active and eating properly, especially getting adequate protein, can greatly reduce muscle loss. Resistance exercise is one of the most effective ways to combat muscle loss at any age. If you have concerns about muscle loss, consult with the experts at Vitality Medical for personalized guidance and treatment options.