Muscle loss, also known as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle cells shrink or degrade as a result of aging, illness, or lack of physical activity. This leads to a loss of muscle mass, strength, and function over time.
Some key points about muscle loss include:
- Sarcopenia is the age-related muscle loss that begins around age 30. Up to 3-5% of muscle mass may be lost per decade after 30.
- Muscle loss can also occur due to immobilization from hospitalization or casting of a broken bone. This leads to rapid loss of muscle.
- Cachexia is the muscle wasting seen in cancer, AIDS, sepsis, and other catabolic conditions. Cytokines and hormonal changes drive this accelerated muscle loss.
- Disuse atrophy occurs simply from lack of physical activity, especially in sedentary adults and the elderly. The saying "use it or lose it" applies here.
- Muscle loss leads to decreased strength, mobility issues, higher risk of falls and fractures, and reduced quality of life. It also affects glucose metabolism.
- Progressive resistance training and adequate protein intake can help slow or prevent age-related muscle loss. Even later in life, muscles maintain the ability to hypertrophy.
- See your physician if experiencing rapid or abnormal muscle loss for evaluation of potential underlying illnesses. Therapeutic exercise and attention to nutrition can help in most cases.
In summary, some muscle loss occurs normally with aging, but can be accelerated by illness, inactivity, and poor nutrition. Maintaining physical activity and good nutrition habits are key to preserving muscle mass and strength. Consult your physician if you have concerns about the degree of muscle loss you are experiencing. With proper treatment, much can be done to slow or reverse muscle loss due to disuse, illness, or aging.