Causes and treatment of muscle wasting in old age
Stating that the incidence of muscle wasting increases with age, Anadolu Health Center Internal Medicine Specialist Prof. Dr. Çağatay Öktenli pointed out that 4 out of every 10 people over the age of 80 face this problem.
Muscle mass, which constitutes approximately one-third of the total body mass in youth, decreases by half until the age of 75. The decrease in muscle strength, which begins in the 50s, appears as a loss of strength in the 70s, especially in the back, arm, waist and leg muscles.
What is muscle wasting (sarcopenia)?
The decrease in muscle strength and endurance due to aging is defined as “muscle wasting” (sarcopenia). It is especially important in preventing muscle wasting in the elderly, preventing the risk of falling and increasing the ability to live independently. The most important consequences of muscle wasting in the elderly are listed as a decrease in the ability to move and live independently and becoming bedridden as a result of injuries and fractures due to falls.
Causes of muscle wasting
Although muscle wasting occurs earlier in women, muscle loss is more common in men. Decrease in protein intake is the most important cause of muscle wasting. In addition to the decrease in food intake, especially protein intake, as we age, lack of physical activity is among the most important reasons that increase muscle wasting. An important factor for maintaining muscle development and endurance is the blood flow to the muscles. In the elderly, insufficient blood flow in the muscles may occur due to arteriosclerosis and accompanying chronic diseases such as heart failure. Nerves that stimulate the muscles are as important for the sustainability of muscle strength as the blood flow to the muscles. Without sufficient neural stimulation, muscle mass decreases rapidly. Growth hormone, testosterone etc. Hormones are the hormones that enable protein production in muscle, and these decrease with age. This is another important factor in muscle wasting.
Muscle wasting due to malnutrition
Old people get full quickly. Additionally, the sense of taste and smell weakens with age. Depression, dementia, chronic diseases and medications also worsen the impairment in food intake by causing loss of appetite. For this reason, elderly people, especially those with muscle wasting due to malnutrition, need to eat protein-rich foods and consume at least 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. In addition to protein, vitamin D deficiency also increases muscle and bone loss, and folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies should also be investigated.
Prevent muscle wasting
Muscle wasting can be prevented by regular exercise in addition to a balanced diet. Muscle endurance exercises, stretching and strengthening movements using light weights regulate both muscle and nerve stimulation. Strengthening exercises both prevent muscle loss and increase the amount of lost muscle. Thus, the risk of falling in the elderly is significantly reduced, and mobility also increases.
