Information From Your Health Care Provider

SARCOPENIA

(Muscle Loss, Age-related)

Basic information

description

Sarcopenia is defined as the age-related loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. It is not considered a disease, but it can contribute to medical disorders and disability. Sarcopenia affects everyone, but people who are physically inactive will have a greater and faster loss of muscle. Sarcopenia and osteoporosis (loss of bone) are related conditions and often occur together or one follows the other.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

Usually, there are no specific symptoms. The muscle loss occurs over time and symptoms may not be apparent or are accepted as a sign of getting older.
Loss of strength and increased weakness that can affect the ability to perform basic tasks of daily living. A person may not be able to rise out of a chair on their own or put groceries away on a shelf. They may have trouble walking or climbing stairs, have stooped posture, or slow, unsteady movements.
Decrease in the size of the muscles. This may not be noticed as the muscle loss is often replaced by fat.

causes

The exact cause is unclear. Muscle strength begins to decline after age 40 and 25% of muscle mass can be lost by age 65. There are a number of factors that may be involved. These include hormone levels, inadequate nutrition, lack of exercise, changes in muscle cells and muscle fibers, impaired protein synthesis, and inflammation in the body.

risk increases with

Aging.
Women. They have less muscle than men and those with less muscle to begin with can have a greater loss.
Inactive lifestyle.
Poor nutrition (e.g., decreased protein intake).
Prolonged bedrest.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

An ongoing program of physical activity (particularly resistance training) and eating a healthy diet can reduce the risks for muscle loss.

expected outcomes

An individual can make the necessary lifestyle changes to preserve muscle mass.
Preventing and treating sarcopenia can improve the health and quality of life for older adults.

possible complications

Loss of ability to perform daily living tasks. This leads to a cycle of more inactivity and then, more weakness.
Sarcopenic obesity (sarcopenia along with obesity).
Frailty, risk for falls or other injures, risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes, or other health problems.
Unable to care for oneself. Loss of independent living.

diagnosis & treatment

general measures

There is no specific test to diagnose sarcopenia or the degree of muscle loss in an individual. Your health care provider may discuss sarcopenia prevention as a part of a routine recommendation for a healthy aging lifestyle.
Your health care provider can help develop an overall exercise plan depending on your age, health status, and fitness level. It will normally include resistance (weight) training to maintain/gain muscle strength and aerobic activity to maintain or improve cardiovascular fitness.
Diet changes may also be helpful in some cases.

medications

Drugs are not used to treat sarcopenia. Hormone replacements may be prescribed if levels are low.

activity

Begin a resistance training (e.g., weight-lifting or strength training) program. Start low and slowly increase the weights. A personal trainer or physical therapist can help plan and monitor your workout.
Balance training can help reduce the risk of falls.
To maintain cardiovascular fitness, get 30 minutes a day (or most days) of aerobic exercise, such as walking. Start with a few minutes a day and increase gradually.