Unexplained loss of muscle mass, also known as muscle wasting or atrophy, can be concerning and frustrating. There are several potential causes of unintentional muscle loss that are important to understand.
What causes unexplained muscle wasting?
Some common causes include:
- Inactive lifestyle - If you are bedridden, immobilized or largely sedentary, your muscles can begin to atrophy surprisingly quickly due to lack of use. Exercise is essential for maintaining muscle.
- Poor nutrition - Consuming inadequate protein and calories can lead to the body breaking down muscle tissue for fuel. Make sure your diet includes sufficient protein sources like meat, eggs, dairy and legumes.
- Hormonal changes - Reduced levels of anabolic hormones like testosterone, growth hormone and IGF-1 can accelerate muscle loss. This is common with aging. Hormone replacement therapy could help some individuals.
- Medical conditions - Issues like cancer, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, COPD, heart failure and rheumatoid arthritis are linked to higher rates of muscle wasting due to complex metabolic changes.
- Nerve damage - Neurological disorders like ALS, MS, muscular dystrophy, polio and Guillain–Barre syndrome can impair nerve signals to muscles causing weakness and atrophy. Physical therapy helps.
- Medications - Certain drugs like corticosteroids, chemotherapy, anticonvulsants, antibiotics and diuretics are known to contribute to muscle loss as a side effect. Discuss options with your doctor.
How can I stop or reverse unexplained muscle wasting?
If the cause is unclear, consult your doctor for a full evaluation. Bloodwork, imaging and muscle biopsies can help diagnose underlying medical issues.
In the meantime, focus on strength training and eating a high-protein diet. Perform resistance exercises 2-3x per week allowing rest days for recovery. Consuming 1.5-2.0g of protein per kg of body weight daily helps maintain muscle.
Consider trying supplements like creatine monohydrate which may boost strength gains from training. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can also help normalize testosterone, GH and IGF-1 levels under a doctor's supervision.
Unrelenting muscle loss can indicate serious illness, so prompt medical attention is wise if lifestyle changes don't help. The experts at Balance Hormone Clinic have successfully treated many cases of muscle wasting/atrophy using customized HRT programs and nutritional counseling. Call today for a consultation. There are options to halt muscle deterioration and rebuild your strength.