Sarcopenia is a generalized and progressive musculoskeletal disorder characterized by loss of muscle mass and function, along with decreased physical performance.
Signs and symptoms include weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, balance problems, and difficulty walking and standing.
And an added complication is that loss of muscle mass or weakness sometimes leads to falls with consequent broken bones and other serious injuries that affect the person’s ability to care for themselves.
It is estimated that its prevalence is between 3 and 24% of the general population, these figures being somewhat higher in the case of patients with rheumatic diseases.
Directly linked to aging
Sarcopenia, a word that comes from the Greek and means “poverty of the muscle”, is a pathology directly linked to .
But turning years is not the only thing that causes sarcopenia. Because it is also closely related to other factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, or other pathologies such as , or inflammatory processes, or cancer.
Genetics also play a role, as well as hormonal changes.
Because in the case of women, a key element appears for the proliferation of the disease, which is the menopause, and which also has a close relationship with sarcopenic obesity.
symptoms of sarcopenia
Rheumatology specialists explain what are the symptoms that may indicate the existence of sarcopenia:
- constant weakness when making any routine movement such as getting up from a chair or bed.
- Weightloss for no apparent reason.
- loss of strength gradual.
- Obesity. We have seen that weight loss is an alarm sign, but specialists point out that “sarcopenia is not exclusively associated with thin people”.
- sarcopenic”. It consists of the loss of muscle that is replaced by fat. It is common and has the same symptoms and the same diagnosis as sarcopenia.
If these symptoms are prolonged over time, the quality of life decreases considerably, so early diagnosis of sarcopenia is important.
How is this disease confirmed?
The only treatment available to specialists for sarcopenia patients has two fundamental axes: physical activity and diet.
Thus, from the Spanish Society of Rheumatology they provide a series of advice for patients with sarcopenia.
-
The first thing is go to the doctor at the time any of the symptoms of this disease are detected. Currently, the diagnosis of sarcopenia is made using a simple questionnaire that, if positive, is subsequently passed to a strength test.
-
perform a strength test which, in the event that it is below the established cut-off points, will lead us to a test to measure muscle mass by bone densitometry, magnetic resonance or bioimpedance.
And finally, in cases of confirmed sarcopenia, the walk test to know the severity of sarcopenia. It is a test also called “6MWT”, for its acronym in English. And it consists of measuring the maximum distance that a person can travel on a flat surface in a time of 6 minutes.
Tips for patients with sarcopenia
-
The first pillar of treatment is practice physical exercise.
In cases of diagnosed sarcopenia, a progressive and personalized exercise program is a fundamental part of the treatment. This program is based on strength and resistance exercises focused on the lower extremities for a minimum period of 12 weeks.
-
lend one adequate attention to food.
It is important to eat a complete and balanced diet based on the Mediterranean diet to prevent sarcopenia in older adults.
It is recommended to base the diet on olive oil, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and not lose the necessary contributions from fish (particularly oily fish), legumes and meat to a lesser degree.
Regarding the proteins necessary to prevent sarcopenia, the recommendations of rheumatologists put them between 1 and 1.2 grams per kilo of body weight per day. And ideally, your intake is divided into the meals of the day.
The main problem is that, among the elderly, there are significant nutritional deficiencies derived from chewing, digestive or food preparation problems, so the risk of malnutrition is high in elderly people.
-
Is it necessary dietary supplementation for sarcopenia?
Counting on a healthy nutrition, supplementation would only be carried out in cases of deficit that cannot be corrected with correct nutrition. Especially if they detect vitamin D or vitamin B12 deficiencies.
Fragility and risk of fractures
The association between sarcopenia and osteoporosis is common. Sarcopenia increases the risk of falls and with it the risk of fractures, so it is very important to know the diagnosis of sarcopenia associated with osteoporosis as soon as possible.
And not only that. In addition to the relationship between sarcopenia and frailty, it has also been reported to be associated with an increased risk of
-
Present more infections
-
Worse recovery after acute illness
-
Some studies have even associated it with higher mortality.
That is why it is a disease that must be taken very seriously and, like all diseases, detected as soon as possible.