Muscle weakness is a common problem among seniors. While healthy aging normally involves a decline in muscle mass and strength in some people, muscle weakness can also be caused by disease.
Some of the more common causes of muscle weakness in older adults include:
Diabetes
Seniors face unique health challenges as they age, and one of the most common is muscle weakness. If your senior loved one is losing strength, gaining weight, or experiencing other symptoms of muscle weakness, they might have diabetes, a condition that causes a raised level of glucose in the blood. Diabetes can also lead to other problems as well, including kidney failure, cardiovascular disease, and nerve damage. People of a ripened age that have a proclivity toward diabetes might end up requiring constant care. Therefore, they could be in need of a facility that would be able to provide reliable assisted living for seniors. Since there is no cure for such diseases, the only thing that can be done for them is to manage the symptoms.
Cancer
Cancer and its treatments, when successful, can often lead to muscle loss. The treatment often includes chemotherapy which destroys cells and radiation therapy which destroys tissue. Some cancer surgeries can also cause muscle loss. Cancer-related muscle loss can range from mild to severe, depending on how far cancer has spread.
Heart disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of muscle weakness in seniors. Lower cardiac output leads to diminished exercise tolerance, and cardiac disease is the most common cause of heart failure. As a result, people with heart failure are at higher risk of developing other heart issues, including peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is characterized by the hardening of the arteries, limiting blood supply to legs, feet, and other parts of the body, leading to weakness and fatigue.
Hyperthyroidism
Muscle weakness is a prevalent issue among the elderly, and it can stem from various health conditions, one of which is hyperthyroidism. Seniors frequently grapple with muscle weakness as a consequence of hyperthyroidism, which in turn limits their mobility. To regain their mobility, it’s often imperative for them to concentrate on maintaining adequate nutrition and seeking assistance from professionals like those available at Care For Family: in home care provider.
Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD, also called idiopathic Parkinsonism) is a progressive disorder of the nervous system. Although there is no cure for PD, medications can help relieve symptoms. When PD is related to muscle weakening, medications may help, but physical therapy is also recommended.
Myasthenia gravis
Myasthenia gravis causes the body’s neuromuscular junctions-where nerves and muscles connect-to lose the ability to send and deliver messages. Instead of knowing when to contract muscles, people with MG cannot voluntarily contract their muscles. The muscle weakness caused by MG is debilitating, causing people to have trouble walking, talking, swallowing, and even breathing.
Disuse atrophy
Disuse atrophy is a condition that occurs when muscles are not used regularly, often due to a sedentary lifestyle or poor posture. It can lead to muscle weakness, decreased mobility, and a host of other health issues. However, the right office furniture (perhaps from reliable suppliers like office monster) can help prevent disuse atrophy by providing a comfortable and ergonomic workspace. This includes a supportive chair with adjustable height and backrest, a desk that is the appropriate height for the user, and accessories such as a footrest or wrist rest to reduce strain on the body. This can lead to improved health and well-being both in and out of the workplace, well into someone’s old age.
Malnutrition
Muscle weakness can be a debilitating problem for seniors, causing obvious problems like muscle weakness, which can also cause less obvious issues. It may be a symptom or symptom of other problems, so it’s important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Malnutrition can cause muscle weakness, so eating healthy foods like fruits and vegetables and adequate calcium and vitamin D is important.
Weak leg muscles can be due to a variety of reasons, including aging, which is the main culprit. As you age, your muscles become less elastic, which impacts how efficiently you can contact them. In addition, your joints become less flexible, which can further decrease your ability to flex. Low muscle mass can also increase your risk of developing osteoporosis and sarcopenia.
Senior citizens might mostly encounter the severity of these issues that can affect their mobility and lead them to be bedridden. In that case, they can get healthcare aids and assistance with daily tasks by living in a senior care home or assisted living facility. These facilities can partner with companies similar to Xendalla to provide social care and hospitality support to people who may not be able to do daily tasks, including laundry and housekeeping, or have restricted mobility due to weak muscles.
What Vitamin Stops Age-Related Muscle Loss
We’ve all seen commercials and social media posts touting the benefits of vitamin C supplements. They claim that vitamin C can stop muscle loss, boost the immune system, and even prevent cancer. While supplements like vitamin C do have some benefits, they’re no more effective than eating fruits and vegetables.
Food That Helps to Strengthen Muscle
If you’re trying to bulk up your muscles, one of the first things you’ll need to do is increase your protein intake. Protein helps build muscles, so if you’re not eating enough, it could be holding you back. But what are some other foods you can eat to help build muscle?
Eggs
Eggs are one of those foods that can be eaten at any time of the day, with or without food, and they offer a lot of nutritional value. They are an excellent source of protein, B vitamins, and choline, and they can also boost your immunity, mood, and metabolism. They also contain lutein, a protein that promotes the proper functioning of the eyes. Eggs are one of the few foods, along with low-fat dairy, that contains all of the nine essential amino acids.
Dairy products
The health benefits of milk are numerous, and it’s one of nature’s most complete sources of nutrition. The protein in milk helps build strong bones and muscles, and calcium helps build strong teeth. Milk also provides vitamin D, which is known to help build strong bones. Now, what about its other nutrients? Milk contains essential vitamins and minerals such as riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. These nutrients help to build strong muscles.
Fish
Fish is an essential source of lean protein, which is an essential nutrient for muscle building and maintenance. The protein in fish is easily assimilated into the human body and provides amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Omega-3 fatty acids are also essential for optimal muscle maintenance. Fish also contain vitamins A and D, selenium, iodine, and B vitamins. They also provide you with iron, which helps transport oxygen to muscles.