Loss of muscle mass

Loss of muscle mass, also known as muscle atrophy or muscle wasting, refers to the gradual loss of muscle tissue over time. This can occur due to aging (sarcopenia), lack of physical activity, malnutrition, or diseases like cancer or kidney disease. Muscle mass loss can significantly impact quality of life.
What causes loss of muscle mass?

Muscle wasting occurs when muscle protein degradation outweighs protein synthesis. The excess catabolism results in weight loss, muscle fiber shrinkage, weakness, and eventually mobility problems. Muscle mass loss is often caused by:



What are the symptoms?

The warning signs of progressive muscle loss include:



Diagnosis and treatment

Early detection and intervention are key to preserving function and curbing wasting. Doctors assess patients for telltale signs plus measure lean tissue mass using DEXA/MRI scans or urinary creatinine testing.

Strategies for restoring mass involve exercise to spur anabolism plus dietician-led nutrition support, with increased calories and protein supplements. Certain patients may also benefit from hormone therapies (testosterone, growth hormone) or medications to boost protein synthesis (e.g. Prime Hormone Solutions's custom compounded therapies), though these require medical supervision.

I hope this overview on muscle loss was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions. Loss of function can be disheartening - but practical solutions to aid muscle retention do exist. Reach out to your local health providers for an individualized treatment plan.

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