Loss of muscle, also known as muscle atrophy, occurs when muscle cells shrink or degrade as a result of disuse or disease. This leads to overall decrease in muscle mass and strength over time. Some key points about loss of muscle:
- It can happen due to lack of physical activity over long periods. When muscles are not used regularly, they begin to shrink and lose strength. This is common after injuries or during extended bed rest.
- Diseases and health conditions like cancer, kidney failure, and heart disease can also lead to muscle wasting. This occurs because disease process interfere with muscle building signaling pathways.
- As we age, muscle loss accelerates due to more sedentary lifestyles and age-related changes in hormones like testosterone and growth hormone. Age-related muscle loss contributes to frailty and disability later in life.
- Muscle atrophy symptoms include feeling weak during routine activities, fatigue, weight loss, loose fitting clothes on the body, and reduced muscle size and bulk noticeable in the arms and legs over time.
- To prevent or treat loss of muscle, it's important to engage in regular strength training and physical activity. Consuming enough protein also supports muscle health. In some cases, hormone therapy can help.
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Other aspects that contribute to
loss of muscle include poor nutrition, inflammation, high stress levels, and some medications. Getting to and maintaining an optimal weight can help preserve muscle tissue as we get older. It's generally best to start strength training and promoting muscle protein production early on, rather than trying to regain substantial lost muscle mass later in life. With a proactive multi-dimensional approach, much of age-related muscle wasting can be reduced or even avoided altogether.
I aimed to touch on the key aspects related to loss of muscle in this answer. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!