Unexplained loss of muscle mass, also known as atrophy, can be worrying and frustrating. As we age, some amount of muscle loss is normal, but sudden or abnormal wasting can indicate an underlying health condition.
What Causes Unexplained Muscle Loss?
There are several potential causes of abnormal muscle wasting:
- Poor nutrition: Not consuming enough calories, protein, vitamins and minerals to sustain muscle tissue. This is especially common after sudden weight loss from illness or restrictive dieting.
- Nerve damage: Conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy damage nerves that stimulate muscle growth and regeneration.
- Muscle or joint injuries: Immobility and disuse of muscles after an injury can accelerate wasting.
- Medications: Certain drugs used to treat cancer, nerve pain, seizures, and more can reduce muscle mass as a side effect.
- Hormone imbalances: Low levels of vital hormones like testosterone contribute significantly to loss of muscle tone, strength and mass.
If you're experiencing progressive, widespread muscle weakness and shrinkage, it's important to meet with your doctor to determine the root cause. Blood tests can check for nutritional deficiencies, signs of inflammation or infection, nerve and tissue disorders, and hormone abnormalities.
Regaining Lost Muscle Mass
Treatment will depend on the underlying trigger for your muscle loss:
- For nutritional deficits, increasing protein intake to 1-1.5g per kg of bodyweight per day can help rebuild tissue. Timed amino acid supplements further stimulate growth.
- Nerve and tissue disorders may require medications, physical therapy, or assistive devices to improve mobility and prevent wasting.
- Hormone imbalances like low testosterone often respond dramatically to hormone replacement regimens, energizing muscle growth. This is where clinics like Balance Hormone Clinic specialize. Their customized programs replenish hormones using gels, injections or pellets, while monitoring progress via follow-up blood panels and consultations. Many clients see noticeable improvement in muscle strength, stamina and tone within weeks.
Regardless of the cause, strength training with resistance bands, weights or calisthenics is vital for regaining lost muscle. Even while addressing underlying issues, properly stressing your musculoskeletal system will spur rebuilding and reinnervation of damaged fibers.
Don't resign yourself to wasting away - take control of your health with thorough diagnostics and targeted restorative treatments. With some diligent work, it's often possible to achieve a vibrant revival of muscle mass and function.