General Information About Sarcopenia
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is a syndrome characterized by the progressive wasting (loss of mass) of muscle fibers in the body and these muscles becoming unable to produce strength (dysfunctional) due to advancing age.
Age-related decreases in hormones (testosterone/growth hormone), slowing of protein synthesis, malnutrition, and most importantly, a 'sedentary' (inactive) lifestyle accelerate muscle loss.
Osteoporosis is the hollowing out and becoming fragile of the bones. Sarcopenia, on the other hand, is the wasting away of the muscles (flesh) that hold and move these bones. In many elderly people, both diseases are seen together, multiplying the risk of falling.
An elderly person who loses muscle strength cannot get up from a chair, climb stairs, or maintain their balance. This condition triggers a process that leads to falls, hip fractures, being bedridden, and ultimately losing their life.
Diagnosis is made when muscle mass falls below reference values using dynamometer tests measuring grip strength, walking speed analysis, and body composition (fat-to-muscle ratio) measurement devices such as DEXA/BIA.
There is no single pill that cures sarcopenia. The gold standard treatment is to force the muscle to rebuild itself by doing weight (resistance) exercises and to dramatically increase the elderly individual's daily intake of protein (leucine amino acid) and Vitamin D.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
