Dr.. Osama Abu Al-Rub
2/27/2024-|Last update: 2/27/202409:18 PM (Mecca time)
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Sarcopenia is a disease in which muscle atrophy occurs. Due to aging or illness, which leads to loss of muscle strength and the ability to perform physical functions.
Sarcopenia is defined as “age-related loss of muscle mass, combined with decreased muscle strength and/or decreased physical performance.”
It is estimated that the size and strength of skeletal muscle (muscles that support the body’s structure, such as the muscles of the back, chest, legs and arms) in patients in their 70s is approximately 30% to 35% less than in those in their 40s.
Muscle mass decreases by about 1% to 2% each year after age 50.
As muscle mass decreases, the ability to walk decreases, which reduces quality of life and increases the risk of falling.
Sarcopenia causes dysphagia and respiratory dysfunction, which prolongs the treatment period of the disease. It is also one of the factors associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Muscular dystrophy also affects the survival rates of patients.
Sarcopenia increases the risk of falls, fractures, physical disability, and death.
Symptoms of muscular atrophy
The most common symptom of muscular dystrophy is muscle weakness. Other symptoms may include:
- Difficulty performing daily activities.
- Walk slowly.
- Difficulty climbing stairs.
- Poor balance and falls.
- Decrease in muscle size.
Causes of muscular atrophy
The most common cause of muscular dystrophy is the natural aging process. We gradually begin to lose muscle mass and strength sometime in our 30s or 40s.
This process occurs between the ages of 65 and 80 years. Rates vary, but you may lose up to 8% of your muscle mass every decade. Everyone loses muscle mass over time, but people with muscular dystrophy lose it more quickly.
Although aging tends to be the dominant factor, researchers have discovered other potential risk factors for muscular dystrophy. May include:
- Physical inactivity.
- Obesity.
- chronic diseases; Such as: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer.
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Insulin resistance.
- Malnutrition.
- Not eating enough protein.
Types of muscular dystrophy
Muscular dystrophy can be classified into two categories:
Primary muscular dystrophy
It is age-related atrophy, and is characterized by the following:
- Decline in muscle cells.
- Decline in motor neurons (responsible for moving muscles).
- Decreased secretion of growth hormone, testosterone and ghrelin.
- An increase in substances called cytokines, which cause inflammation.
- Poor function of mitochondria, an organelle in the cell responsible for producing energy.
- Decrease in muscle protein production in the body.
Secondary muscular dystrophy
It results from other causes; Such as: decreased activity, illness, and malnutrition, and is characterized by the following:
- The patient goes through a period of prolonged bed rest.
- Weight loss.
- Anorexia.
The relationship between muscular dystrophy and other problems
- Muscular atrophy is associated with an increased risk of death in patients after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair surgery.
- Poor handgrip strength predicts poor recovery and increased mortality in patients with hip fractures.
- In patients with cirrhosis, muscle atrophy has been associated with an increased incidence of complications; Such as: sepsis, serious infections, and increased mortality.
- Muscular atrophy is associated with mental decline.
- Muscular dystrophy is associated with depression.
Diagnosis of muscular dystrophy
A doctor diagnoses muscular dystrophy after performing a physical examination and asking about symptoms.
There is no single test that can diagnose sarcopenia. The doctor may recommend several tests to diagnose sarcopenia, and then determine its severity.
Muscle strength tests
- Hand grip test: The strength of your hand grip is equal to the strength of your other muscles. The doctor uses it to determine the general lack of muscle strength.
- Chair stand test: Providers use the chair stand test to measure the strength of your leg muscles, especially your quadriceps. The chair stand test measures the number of times you can stand and sit in a chair without using your arms in 30 seconds.
- Walking speed test: The walking speed test measures the time it takes to cover a distance of 4 meters at your usual walking pace.
Treatment of muscular dystrophy
Treatment for muscular dystrophy usually involves lifestyle changes. These modifications to your lifestyle behaviors can treat and help reverse muscle atrophy.
1- Physical activity
Your doctor may recommend strength exercises gradually; like:
- Squatting.
- Weight lifting.
- the pressure.
This type of exercise can help improve your strength and reverse muscle loss.
2- Follow a healthy diet
When combined with regular exercise, eating a healthy diet can also help reverse the effects of muscle atrophy. It is especially important to increase your protein intake through food or supplements.
Medications to treat muscular dystrophy
Researchers are studying the possibility of using hormonal supplements to increase muscle mass. But there are currently no medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat muscular dystrophy, according to the Cleveland Clinic website.
Preventing muscle atrophy
You may not be able to completely prevent muscle atrophy; Since the condition occurs as part of the natural aging process. But you can take steps to slow the progression of the disease. These include:
- Maintain a healthy diet that includes high-quality proteins; Such as: red meat that has been rendered free of fat. (Eat 20 to 35 grams of protein at each meal.)
- Exercise: Maintain a physically active lifestyle that includes several exercises; Such as: resistance training.
- Regular medical examinations: Visit your doctor regularly and inform him of any changes in your health.
2024-02-27 11:43:40
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