Muscle Wasting.
It’s a topic that often comes up in conversations with patients, and we’ve found that people often are unaware of the difference between muscle loss, and muscle wasting.
First, let’s talk about the normal amount of muscle loss that people experience as they age. It’s not about losing numbers of cells; instead, it’s about the amount of muscle, the bulk of your muscle, and the number of actin and myosin fibers. These fiber numbers decrease over time, but the cells remain pretty much the same. This is a perfectly normal process, and it’s not because of age (We can’t blame age for everything). The reason behind muscle loss is that people’s activity levels decline over time. When people don’t exercise, they lose their muscles and bones too, which is also an issue for osteoporosis sufferers. It’s the classic “use it or lose it” scenario.
Muscle wasting on the other hand, is a different issue entirely. There are two possible causes for muscle wasting: an energy problem or a nerve problem. When the nervous system is not plugged into the muscle, there’s no stimulation of the muscle, and it wastes away entirely. This leads to weakness and muscle loss. When patients come in and say they feel weak, it’s important to differentiate between tiredness, fatigue, and actual weakness. Tiredness means they could do it, but they don’t feel like it, while fatigue means they can go, go, go, but they have to stop after a while. Weakness, on the other hand, means they’ve actually lost strength in their muscles.
People with type 2 diabetes often wonder why they experience weakness, fatigue, and tiredness. These symptoms could indicate depression, loss of brain cells, or type 3 diabetes. Type 3 diabetes is when the brain doesn’t receive enough sugar, causing fatigue, brain fog, and other symptoms. While muscle weakness is a side effect of not exercising, it’s primarily a central nervous system problem.
In conclusion, muscle wasting and muscle loss are two different processes. Muscle loss is a normal part of aging, while muscle wasting is an abnormal process that occurs due to an energy or nerve problem. If you experience weakness, fatigue, or tiredness, it’s essential to consult your doctor to determine the underlying cause. Remember, staying active is the best way to maintain muscle mass and overall health.
