Sarcopenia in the elderly: causes and prevention!

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Elderly people fall down. It is a big problem. It is not an exaggeration because it risks many complications. Let’s learn about sarcopenia, a major cause in the elderly that must be prevented and corrected immediately!

After the age of 40, muscles and other body systems will continue to lose strength. By the age of 80, muscle mass will decrease by 50%. There will also be an increase in fat interspersed with muscle layers, a decrease in nerve cells connecting the brain and muscles, a decrease in certain hormones, a decrease in the ability to convert protein into energy, and a risk of inflammation. These factors may affect functioning, such as balance and movement, increasing the risk of various diseases, including falls, etc.

Sarcopenia is found in the elderly aged 60 years and over, or it may be found at a younger or older age depending on several factors. It can be found more and more with increasing age. In people aged 60 years, it is found in approximately 5-13% and increases to 11-50% in people aged 80 years. The age at which symptoms start may be older or younger than this.

Causes of sarcopenia

  • Various underlying diseases such as emphysema, kidney disease, cancer, immunodeficiency (HIV), rheumatoid arthritis, insulin deficiency and diabetes. 
  • Inflammation in the body
  • Mitochondrial cell dysfunction
  • Reduction of the amount of neurotransmitters in the body
  • Hormonal changes
  • Movement decreased
  •  Malnutrition, especially protein
  • Overweight

Muscle strength test

  • Handgrip test
  • Chair stand test
  • Walking speed test
  • Combined physical performance tests, such as the Short physical performance battery (SPPB) and the Timed-up and go test (TUG), etc.
  • Bone and muscle mass measurement
  • Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) uses low-energy X-rays to measure muscle mass, fat mass, and bone density.
  • Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) measures body fat versus muscle mass.
  • Check the density of bone mass, muscle, minerals and % fat in detail. Advance Bone Densitometer is 40% more accurate than other systems.*  

Prevention of sarcopenia

  • Eat a healthy diet, focusing on protein. You should eat 1-1.3 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. 
  • Certain supplements may help prevent sarcopenia, such as vitamin D, whey protein, and creatine.
  • Exercise regularly
  • Visit your doctor regularly for physical examinations and assessments of your physical fitness.

Caring for the elderly with weak legs

  • Falls should be prevented. Walking aids such as canes and walkers may be provided.
  • Create a safe environment for movement in your home. 
  • Help ensure regular exercise
  • Provide nutritious food that contains enough protein that your body needs each day. 
  • Take them for regular follow-up check-ups with the doctor.

It is recommended to exercise to increase muscle mass, such as resistance exercise and muscle strength training, exercise to prevent falls. However, you should not exercise too hard. You should consult a doctor or specialist before starting to exercise. Sarcopenia is a cause of muscle weakness in the elderly. However, most symptoms are gradual. If ยูฟ่าเบท you have sudden muscle weakness, be careful of cerebral infarction, rupture, or blockage, and you should see a doctor immediately.