Sarcopenia (muscle loss) is an involuntary, progressive and generalized disease of the skeletal muscle, which begins at approximately the age of 30, like many other processes in our body. It is characterized by a decrease in muscle strength, muscle mass and finally physical performance.
This loss of mass accelerates once we reach 50 years of age, but there may be other variables along the way, such as a sedentary lifestyle, prone genetics, poor nutrition, early menopause or andropause, and bad lifestyle habits. This increases the risk of falls, fractures and vulnerability to injuries, a cause of functional dependence and disability mainly in the elderly. Which would lead us to the Fragility Syndrome.
If we speak scientifically, sarcopenia has 3 criteria:
1. Poor muscle strength
2. Low quantity/quality of muscle
3. Low physical performance
Presenting one of these criteria already defines you as sarcopenic but if you present two or more we already have severe sarcopenia.
In the elderly (mainly), we are talking about many elements that are decreasing in muscle mass, such as:
Reduction in the number of motor units
Decreased total muscle area
Lower fiber density
Lower percentage of type II fibers
Less decrease in type i fibers
Lower capillary density
Increased duration of fibrillar contraction
Structural changes in myosin chains
How do we diagnose sarcopenia?
Techniques to assess the amount of muscle are available in many clinical settings but not all physicians know how to determine it. Over time, instruments have been developed and refined to assess this. Previously, physical performance was an essential part of the definition of sarcopenia, but now it is a variable in determining the severity of sarcopenia.
One of the main tools indicates the importance of grip strength, getting up from a chair, walking speed and the walk test among the main elements.
The selection of the tool will depend on the patient, the access to resources in the medical environment, or the purpose of the test. The most effective way to determine sarcopenia, it is also the most effective way to determine muscle mass and body composition. The dexa, stands for Dual X-ray energy absorptiometry, is equipment similar to magnetic resonance imaging and as such, not all clinical services have it. Another way to determine sarcopenia could be through magnetic resonance or tomography, however this only allows me to determine muscle quality. The most practical method of determining sarcopenia, as well as body composition, today is called BIA or bioimpedanciometry, however its precision will depend on the equipment used. All this equipment is backed by genetic and clinical laboratory tests, in addition to anthropometry.
Other classification parameters
It is important to indicate that sarcopenia can be primary or secondary, it is primary when it is related to age and it is secondary when we are old or not, when some other probable cause of sarcopenia is present.
What can cause sarcopenia - causes
1. age
2. Inflammatory disease
3. Osteoarthritis
4. Neurological disorders
5. Sedentary lifestyle
6. Physical inactivity
7. Malabsorption
8. Malnutrition
9. Anorexigenic medication
10. About nutrition or obesity
11. others
A sarcopenia that progresses for more than 6 months is considered a chronic condition, otherwise we are talking about an acute sarcopenia. Acute sarcopenia is generally related to a sudden illness or acute injury, while chronic sarcopenia is related to age-related, uncontrolled chronic and progressive conditions.
And what if I have sarcopenia, what are the consequences?
The presence of sarcopenia translates into a decrease in functional capacity and leads to the appearance of various geriatric problems (immobility, falls, etc.), this increases the dependency and disability that an individual may present, whether or not they are an older adult.
The presence of sarcopenia also includes a decrease in the maximum aerobic capacity of the person. It makes it easier for fatigue to appear earlier and decreases physical resistance.
It is also associated with certain chronic diseases, such as osteoporosis and diabetes, the risk of presenting infections; affects the speed of recovery after an acute illness.
It is also related to higher mortality. It plays a key role in the clinical frailty syndrome, highly predictive of the appearance of adverse events in the elderly in the elderly. In addition to propensity to falls and fractures.
Of course, presenting sarcopenia at any age also tells us about the person's nutritional status.
Treatment of sarcopenia.
Depending on its severity and the age of the person, we will use one or more methods. The most important of them and that should never fail is exercise. The exercise must be carried out according to the situation, age and functional capacity of the person. We must train strength. coordination balance and equilibrium.
1. Resistance training is important, however, let's remember that strength has been lost, so we must be very careful in the progressions and type of resistance exercise that is used. Performing the exercises correctly will help the person in an incredible way, especially the elderly, to convert that protein into energy and the studies tell us about two or less weeks.
It is important that they are guided exercises since performing the exercise improperly can lead to greater loss.
2. Hormone replacement this can increase muscle mass, reduce abdominal fat, and prevent bone wear, both in men and women vitamin D helps us maintain the quality of bone and muscle tissue.
3. Creatinine, helps us maintain and increase muscle mass, however it depends on the situation. Apart from whey protein, it helps us preserve muscle mass.
4. Magnesium maleate, helps us improve maintain and increase muscle mass. In addition to other functions.
If you are having strength problems or see that something is distorting your body shape, consult them, we will gladly evaluate you and determine your muscular situation and the treatment to follow.
This article aims to inform, and in no case diagnose or indicate treatment to a person. If you think that you may be presenting sarcopenia, do not hesitate to consult your primary SPORTS DOCTOR, or contact us and we will carry out an evaluation, diagnosis and indicate the appropriate treatment for your case!
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