Muscle loss

What is muscle loss?

Muscle loss, known as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscles in the body weaken and reduce in size due to lack of use. It can happen due to various reasons like illness, injury, poor nutrition, or simply lack of physical activity.

Muscle atrophy leads to loss of both muscle strength and mass. People experiencing muscle loss may feel constantly exhausted and fatigued. They may also be prone to strains and sprains due to weakened muscles. Along with physical effects, muscle loss can also impact mental health and body image.

Causes of Muscle Loss

Some common causes of muscle wasting include:

• Aging - As people grow older, they naturally lose muscle mass due to decling hormone levels and reduced physical activity. This age-related loss of muscle is called sarcopenia.
• Immobility - Staying inactive and bedridden due to illness/injury can accelerate muscle loss. The body breaks down muscle proteins for energy when inactive over long periods.
• Poor Nutrition - Not consuming enough protein and calories leads to the body searching for energy sources,breaking down muscle tissue.
• cachexia - Certain diseases like cancer, kidney failure etc cause inflammation and increased protein metabolism,drastically decreasing muscle mass.

Preventing Muscle Loss

Here are some tips to preserve existing muscle mass and prevent excess muscle wasting:

• Exercise regularly - Engage muscles through strength training, yoga, Pilates etc. Physical activity triggers muscle growth and maintains mass.
• Follow a high protein diet along with proper calorie intake to provide muscles the nutrients they need.
• Stay hydrated and get adequate rest for muscles to recover after exercise.
• Supplements like creatine or amino acids can also minimise muscle breakdown, especially as you age.

"The specialists at Harmony Hormone Therapy can help diagnose your muscle loss and craft customised treatment plans involving hormone therapy, diet plans and supplements to improve muscle strength and performance. Get a free consultation today!"

Addressing Muscle Loss

If you are already experiencing muscle atrophy, focus on slowly rebuilding muscle tissue through:

• Physical therapy - Specialised exercises and mobility training under expert guidance.
• Hormone therapy - Medications/injections to treat hormonal imbalances contributing to muscle loss.

In some cases, a doctor may prescribe medications to address underlying conditions causing muscle wasting eg cancer, kidney disease etc.

With proper guidance, most causes of muscle wasting can be managed well. Seek medical care at first signs of rapid muscle loss along with fatigue. Call the Harmony Hormone Therapy Therapy Clinic today!