How To Manage Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is the medical term for muscle loss that occurs due to the natural aging process. Most adults begin losing muscle mass in their 40s, and experts estimate a sedentary individual loses three to five percent of their muscle mass with each subsequent decade. In recent years, scientists have recognized a loss of both muscle strength and function are key characteristics of sarcopenia as well. Signs of sarcopenia include walking more slowly than usual, difficulty lifting common household items, feeling fatigued, and a general feeling of weakness.

To assess for sarcopenia, doctors will take the patient's health history and perform a physical examination. They may test the strength of certain muscles in the arms and legs and may assess the patient's gait and balance. A test of grip strength in the hands may be performed; grip strength declines with sarcopenia, and this test has been shown to be a useful diagnostic tool. Sarcopenia is a largely preventable condition, and patients with this ailment can take steps to reverse the symptoms and improve quality of life.

Strength Training

Strength training exercises promote muscle growth and decrease the likelihood of muscle loss with aging. In combination with aerobic exercise and exercises to maintain balance, strength training has been identified as one of the most effective methods of preventing and treating sarcopenia. This training uses weights or the body's own weight. Common exercises that build muscle strength include leg presses, bicep curls, and shoulder presses. Before beginning this form of exercise, patients should check with their doctors to make sure it is safe for them to exercise. Individuals new to this form of exercise may wish to have a personal trainer instruct them on how to perform resistance exercises comfortably and safely.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy may be a useful treatment option for some women with sarcopenia. After women go through menopause, they experience a decline in certain hormones, often leading to reduced bone density and muscle mass as well as increased abdominal obesity. Hormone replacement therapy can help increase the amount of lean body mass a woman has, and it may also increase a woman's bone density and reduce the risk of obesity in the short term. Women interested in this therapy should consult their healthcare team about whether it is a safe option for them. The therapy has been linked to the development of certain cancers. Some studies have also indicated hormone replacement therapy may raise the risk of blood clots, heart disease, stroke, and breast cancer.