Decreased muscle mass, also known as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscles become smaller and weaker. This can happen due to aging, lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, or diseases like cancer. Some key points about decreased muscle mass:
- Causes - Muscle atrophy is often caused by not using your muscles enough. Being bedridden, sedentary lifestyle, and weight loss diets can lead to muscle wasting over time. Certain illnesses like diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer also accelerate loss of muscle.
- Symptoms - Noticeable signs are feeling weaker, getting tired more easily, having less endurance for exercise, tighter clothing around your arms and legs, and losing physical function. Routine tasks like climbing stairs may become more difficult.
- Risks - Decreased muscle mass raises risks of falling and breaking bones, developing poor posture, feeling depressed, requiring a can or walker to get around, and losing independence with self-care activities. It can also lower metabolism.
- Treatment - Engaging muscles with resistance training like lifting weights or bands 2-3 times a week can help rebuild size and strength. Getting adequate protein, staying hydrated, and taking supplements like creatine or amino acids aids muscle growth too.
- If you're concerned about preserving your fitness as you age, have a chronic condition, or are recovering from a hospital stay, consult your doctor about safe ways to counteract muscle loss. The expert physicians and nutritionists at Vitality Hormone Clinic also specialize in customized hormone therapy and fitness plans personalized to your needs to counteract decreasing muscle mass. Their holistic approaches consider your health history, labs, and lifestyle to create targeted treatment plans. Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation to ask about how they can help you stay active and independent. Maintaining muscle strength truly impacts overall health and quality of life, so be proactive against atrophy.