Loss of muscle mass is a natural part of aging, and the process can lead to menopausal hot flashes. Older women with sarcopenia are at increased risk of reduced mobility, reduced quality of life, heart disease and injury. Now a new study shows that this disabling condition is actually theSymptoms of menopausecould alleviate.
Menopausal symptoms – hot flashes during menopause
Loss of muscle mass and function may be the most dramatic and significant change that occurs during the aging process. Postmenopausal women are at particularly increased risk of sarcopenia as a result of aging and changes in sex hormones after menopause. Other risk factors for sarcopenia that often develop with age include a sedentary lifestyle, reduced protein intake, and changes in growth hormone levels. Vasomotor symptoms, such as hot flashes, are one of the most common and annoying symptoms of menopause. These are often associated with multiple chronic illnesses. Examples include obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. In this new study of women ages 40 to 65, researchers specifically examined the relationship between such symptoms and the prevalence of sarcopenia.
Regarding obesity, previous research has focused on the relationship between body mass index and waist circumference. However, these measurements are limited. They do not reflect exact body composition, such as the proportion of fat tissue compared to muscle tissue. However, unlike the well-known connection between sarcopenia and menopause, the connection between sarcopenia and various menopause symptoms is somewhat unknown. Based on the results, the study authors concluded that menopausal hot flashes occur less frequently in women with sarcopenia than in those with increased body mass index. The new findings highlight the need for additional longitudinal studies that could better define known associations of menopausal symptoms. This is particularly important given the aging population. Additionally, the relationships between sarcopenia, reduced mobility, increased risk of falls, and quality of life remain a necessary area of research. The researchers arrived at the results by assessing the body mass index of menopausal womenthis studycame.
