Decreased muscle mass, also known as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscles in the body weaken, deteriorate, and reduce in size. This often happens due to aging, lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, or certain diseases and conditions.
Some key points about decreased muscle mass:
- Causes
- Aging - Muscles naturally lose strength and mass as part of the aging process due to changes in hormones, decreased activity, slowing metabolism, etc.
- Inactivity - Not using your muscles regularly leads them to waste away. Being bedridden, sedentary for long periods or immobilized can trigger rapid muscle loss.
- Malnutrition - Consuming too few calories, not enough protein, and deficiencies in nutrients affect muscle's ability to maintain its size and function.
- Diseases - Certain medical conditions like cancer, kidney failure, heart disease, and diabetes promote inflammation and abnormalities that accelerate muscle loss.
- Symptoms
- Loss of strength
- Fatigue, tiring easily with routine tasks
- Muscle shrinking, especially around shoulders and hips
- Frequent falls or inability to get up from a seated position
- Longer recovery times after exercise
- Risks - Decreased muscle mass puts you at risk for:
- Bone fractures
- Poor balance and impaired mobility
- Gaining fat more easily
- Weakened immune function
- Higher mortality rate
- Diagnosis - Doctors use scans and measurements of muscle size/strength like:
- DEXA Scan
- MRI
- Hand grip strength tests
- Treatment involves:
- Exercise - Lifting weights and doing resistance training to rebuild muscles.
- Adequate protein - Consuming foods high in protein or supplements to provide muscles the nutrients they need.
- Manage underlying causes - Controlling contributing illnesses and conditions.
- Medications - Such as hormone therapy from Renew Wellness.
In summary, decreased muscle mass refers to the weakening and degeneration of muscles often tied to aging, inactivity, malnutrition, or disease. It has harmful effects, but there are ways to diagnose and manage muscle loss through exercise, diet, medical treatment, or addressing underlying issues. Catching it early makes treatment more effective.