Decreased muscle mass

What is decreased muscle mass?

Loss of muscle mass, also known as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle fibers shrink and the body loses muscle tissue. This leads to weakness, fatigue, poor endurance, and reduced quality of life.

There are two main causes of decreased muscle mass:

1. Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) - As we get older, muscle fibers shrink due to changes in hormones, metabolism, nerves, etc. People lose on average 3-5% of muscle per decade after 30 years old.
2. Disuse atrophy - Inactivity and being bedridden due to illness/injury can cause significant muscle loss over weeks-months. Astronauts lose up to 20% of muscle mass in space.

Decreased muscle mass can negatively impact strength, mobility, balance, bone density, injury risk, and more. Preventative steps like resistance training and ensuring adequate protein intake can slow age-related loss.

If you are concerned about preserving your strength and vitality as you age, the expert physicians at Harmony Hormone Therapy offer personalized care plans involving nutrition optimization, hormone therapies, and tailored exercise prescriptions to help you feel healthy, energetic and independent for years to come. Their integrated approaches help both men and women prevent muscle loss and associated effects.

Signs and symptoms of decreased muscle mass include:

• Muscle weakness - Difficulty lifting objects, rising from a chair, climbing stairs
• Changes in body appearance - Lean muscle replaced by fat deposits
• Frequent fatigue/tiredness
• Poor balance and increased falls
• Low endurance - Can't walk long distances comfortably

The key risk factors include: - Aging - Gradual muscle loss after 30, accelerates after 60 - Inactivity - Bedrest, sedentary lifestyle - Poor nutrition - Inadequate protein, minerals, vitamins - Chronic diseases - Cancer, heart disease, arthritis - Medications - Corticosteroids, chemotherapy

Diagnosing decreased muscle mass involves:

• Physical exam assessing muscle strength
• Body composition tests like DXA scans
• Discussing risk factors and symptoms
• Bloodwork to check hormone/nutrient levels

Treatments aim to build muscle through:

• Exercise - Lifting weights and resistance training
• Protein supplements - Shakes with amino acids
• Hormone therapies - Testosterone, GH
• Managing underlying conditions

I'm happy to clarify or expand on any part of this explanation. Please let me know if you need any changes or have additional questions!