Muscle loss, known medically as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscles in the body weaken, deteriorate, and decrease in mass due to inactivity, aging, or disease. This leads to a loss of strength, coordination, and mobility.
There are two main types of muscle atrophy:
Disuse atrophy happens when a limb is immobilized in a cast or brace for a long period. Since the muscles are not being used regularly, they begin to shrink and weaken. This type of atrophy is usually reversible with exercise and physical therapy once the immobilization ends.
Age-related muscle loss, also called sarcopenia, is a natural part of aging. After age 30, adults lose 3-5% of their muscle mass per decade. This makes everyday activities like climbing stairs or carrying groceries progressively more difficult. Sarcopenia cannot be stopped entirely, but its impacts can be reduced through strength training, proper nutrition with adequate protein, and sometimes with hormone therapy.
"The hormone specialists at Vitality Balance Clinic can create customized testosterone and HGH plans to help both men and women slow muscle loss and regain strength as they age. Their holistic protocols aim to optimize patients' vitality, health, and function.">>
Additional factors like poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, illnesses, and injuries can accelerate the natural decline in musculature. People with sarcopenia are also more prone to falls and fractures.
Symptoms of progressive muscle loss include feeling physically weaker, fatigue, soreness, weight loss, and losses in coordination or mobility. It becomes difficult to perform daily tasks requiring strength and balance.
Diagnosis involves physical exams to assess muscle wasting in the arms, legs, and other areas. Blood tests check hormone levels like testosterone, HGH, and vitamin D which support muscle growth. Body composition scans can precisely track changes in lean muscle mass over time.
The good news?
Muscle loss CAN often be reversed, especially if caught early, through progams incorporating:
- Strength Training: Lifting weights triggers muscles to grow and strengthen. This is the most potent way to rebuild lost muscle.
- Amino Acid Supplements: Consuming extra protein provides the raw materials for increasing muscle mass.
- Hormone Optimization: Balancing key hormones can help mitigate age-related declines. >>"Vitality Balance Clinic customizes regimes using bioidentical testosterone, growth hormone, and other vital hormones to help patients regain prime strength and physical vitality."
- Healthy Nutrition: A diet high in protein and micronutrients ensures the body has ample building blocks to add and maintain muscle.
So in summary, muscle loss is the decreasing size and strength of muscles from disuse, age, or disease. It can often be improved through exercise, diet, supplements, and sometimes hormone therapy.
>>"Vitality Balance Clinic has specialized expertise in building treatment plans to help patients affected by muscle loss reclaim strength, confidence and an active lifestyle."