What is sarcopenia and how does it affect the health of the elderly?

The sarcopenia It is a disease characterized by loss of muscle mass, strength and function associated with aging. It is a progressive condition and negatively impacts functionality and health of the older adult. “Due to their ignorance, It is important to raise awareness about it. to allow earlier detection and an adequate approach to affected people,” emphasizes Dr. Raquel Almodóvar, rheumatologist at the Fundación Alcorcón University Hospital (Madrid).

In order to make this disease visible among the population, the Spanish Society of Rheumatology (SER) has developed a video about this pathologywithin the framework of the awareness campaign ‘Name the rheumatism’.

The specialist points out that the causes of this disease “They are multifactorial; In addition to aging, some aspects such as geneticsother pathologies (rheumatic diseases, inflammation, endocrine diseases, cancer, among others), alterations in nutritional statushormonal changes, physical inactivity and by certain treatments (such as corticosteroids).” Regarding the symptoms, adds Dr. Almodóvar, “The most frequent signs are weakness, weight loss without justified cause, decrease in muscle mass or repeated falls”.

In the long term, he warns that “sarcopenia can lead to fractures, physical disability, hospitalizations, worse recovery after acute illness, lower quality of life and higher mortality”. Its diagnosis is made through tests to measure muscle strength and physical performance, as well as with imaging tests (ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, bone densitometry, etc.) in order to quantify muscle mass.

He treatment of sarcopenia is fundamentally based on two pillars: the adapted exercise with strength and resistance training to improve muscle mass and physical function, accompanied by a healthy dietwith an adequate protein and vitamin D intake. “In some cases, supplementation should be considered”, concludes Dr. Almodóvar.