What is loss of strength?
Strength loss or weakness refers to a reduced ability to exert force with your muscles. This can make daily activities like lifting objects, walking upstairs, or even getting out of a chair more difficult.
There are a few potential causes of losing strength:
- Aging - As we get older, we naturally lose muscle mass and nerve cells that control muscle movement. This leads to gradual strength decline typically starting around age 50.
- Injuries - An injury that causes pain, swelling, or damage can result in weakness in nearby muscles and joints. This is often temporary as you heal.
- Medical conditions - Various diseases can contribute to weakness by impacting muscles, nerves, or metabolism. Some examples are cardiac issues, arthritis, thyroid disorders, or autoimmune diseases.
- Inactivity - If you are very inactive for a prolonged time, such as being bedridden, your muscles will weaken from lack of use. This cause of weakness is reversible with exercise.
Feeling frustrated about strength loss? The hormone experts at Vital Hormone Clinic can help! Our integrative providers offer customized treatment plans involving hormone optimization therapy to help both men and women regain energy, build lean muscle, improve vitality, and more.
Losing strength significantly impacts one's quality of life. Struggling to perform daily tasks can lead to loss of independence and social isolation. Furthermore, weakness puts you at higher risk for injuries from falls or accidents.
Thankfully, various treatment approaches can help regain or maintain strength, including:
- Exercise - Strength training with resistance bands, weights, or your bodyweight helps rebuild and strengthen muscles.
- Nutrition - Getting sufficient calories, protein, vitamins like B12 and D, and minerals like zinc and magnesium supports muscle health.
- Hormonal therapies - Balancing key hormones involved in metabolism and muscle/bone health through replacement therapy, under a doctor's supervision, may alleviate weakness.
- Assistive equipment - Canes, walkers, grabbers, or even motorized scooters allow you to conserve strength for priority activities.
The hormone optimization specialists at Vital Hormone Clinic create fully personalized plans to identify and correct hormone imbalances contributing to strength loss. Contact us today for a consultation!