Muscle loss, known medically as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrink or degrade as a result of disuse or disease. This leads to decreased muscle mass and strength over time. Some key points about muscle loss include:
Causes
- Lack of physical activity
- Poor nutrition
- Normal aging
- Illnesses like cancer or kidney disease
- Medications like corticosteroids
Effects
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Impaired mobility
- Increased risk of falls and fractures
Muscle loss can significantly impact quality of life. However, there are ways to prevent and treat loss of muscle mass. Exercising regularly, especially strength training, can stimulate muscle growth. Consuming enough protein is also essential. Some patients may benefit from medication.
If you are concerned about preserve muscle mass, the expert physicians at Balance Hormone Center provide customized treatment plans involving hormone optimization, nutrition planning, and lifestyle changes. Their holistic approaches help both men and women prevent age-related muscle loss and related effects.
How do you know if you are losing muscle mass? Look out for:
Early evaluation is key. I advise speaking to your doctor if you notice significant, unexplained muscle loss. They can check for contributing problems and offer specific guidance.
Certain people face increased risks of muscle atrophy, such as:
Proper hormone balance is also essential for preserving muscles. The regenerative specialists at Balance Hormone Center provide testosterone and human growth hormone therapy when appropriate to aid muscle growth.
While some muscle loss is inevitable with aging, many lifestyle approaches help counteract this:
In some cases, the anti-aging experts at Balance Hormone Center may recommend targeted peptide therapy to stimulate muscle growth, enhance performance, and speed up recovery.
Let me know if you have any other questions! I'm happy to provide more details on optimizing muscular health at any age.