Musculoskeletal Problems

Summary

Musculoskeletal deterioration is a major cause of loss of function as we age. From 50 onwards loss of muscle, bone mass and collagen lead to reduced strength, susceptibility to fracture, and problems with joints. When somebody is 70 and these problems have been going on for 20 years, they frequently are frail. Frailty is a specific term for a tragic inability to perform daily acts of living and consequently reduced independence. When we say ‘so and so is looking old …’ what we mean is they are looking frail.

Dem Bones, Dem Bones – how to stop fractures

Osteoporosis means ‘bone with holes in it’ and is the cause of significant later life problems.

The figures are that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men suffer osteoporotic ‘fragility fractures ‘of the hip, spine ribs or limbs. The fractures usually occur over age 65 unless someone has additional risk factors such as taking corticosteroids, a history of anorexia [so bones thinned at an early stage of adulthood] or alcoholism.

Are you borderline malnourished?

Strange but true. As you age not only must you avoid being in the overweight camp, but you also need to escape undernourishment which has even worse consequences. The reason malnourishment happens is either physiological, social, or medical issues. Your food is absorbed a lot less well, we all get reduced appetite, may be solitary and less ’bothered’ about food so eating too little, or have increased needs because of long term illness. Nowadays, rising food costs add another cause. Medically, inflammation is the key driver ie the ‘inflammaging’ addressed in other InfoSheets,