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Weakness syndrome is a problem of many elderly people, about which until recently was not discussed at all, but now it is included - next to, inter alia, dysfunction of the sphincters or falls - to the group of large geriatric syndromes. What is weakness syndrome, what are its causes and symptoms?

Contents:

    1. Weakness syndrome: what is it?
    2. Weakness syndrome: causes
    3. Weakness syndrome: consequences
    4. Weakness syndrome: treatment

Weakness syndrome is an issue with which there are many ambiguities - even its definition or recognition criteria are ambiguous - it is worth paying attention to this unit, because with complete abandonment of any therapeutic interventions, the weakness syndrome not only significantly deteriorates the senior's quality, but also makes him much more susceptible to various consequences of the diseases that affect him.

Due to the fact that the percentage of elderly people in our population is systematically growing, more and more emphasis is placed on the development of geriatrics, i.e. a branch of medicine focused on diseases of old age. Progress in this area is absolutely imperative, because in order to properly treat seniors' he alth problems, you just need to know them first.

The so-called large geriatric syndromes, i.e. units that are most often associated with old age - these are the problems that should be given special attention to seniors and, in the event of their occurrence, the necessary therapeutic interventions should be started as soon as possible. One of the bands mentioned above is Weakness Syndrome.

Weakness syndrome: what is it?

In the literature, you can come across many different terms for one problem, which is the frailty syndrome. It is also referred to as the fragility syndrome, the fragility syndrome or the reserve exhaustion syndrome. However, just as it is not difficult to find these terms, it is much more difficult to find a specific definition of a weakness syndrome - because there is simply no one.

The syndrome is most often described as a state of reduced physiological reserves and a decrease in resistance to stressors, which are caused by a decline in the efficiency of various organ systems. The consequence of the teamweakness, in turn, is an increase in the susceptibility of the patient's body to the occurrence of various unfavorable consequences, e.g. experienced diseases. In another approach, the weakness syndrome is treated as a condition associated with the loss of physiological reserves, which are related to the dysfunction of the immune system and the endocrine system.

All of the above sounds quite complicated, so in order to lighten the complex of weaknesses it is necessary to briefly refer to human physiology. Well, in general, each of the human organs does not always work "at full capacity" - it is estimated that in fact, for human organs to fulfill their role 1/3 of their overall efficiency is enough.

In general, the remaining 2/3 constitute the so-called functional reserve, which can be used, for example, when the body is subjected to certain stressors (such can be, for example, various diseases). With age, the efficiency of the human body and its individual organs decrease significantly - this decrease, leading to a decrease in physiological reserves, would be the main cause of the weakness syndrome.

Weakness syndrome: frequency of occurrence

We don't hear much about the weakness syndrome on a daily basis, but the truth is that, according to estimates, it may appear in a really large number of seniors. In one of the studies, it was estimated that the frailty syndrome occurs in 7% of patients over 65 years of age and in as many as 30% of people 80 or older. However, one aspect needs to be emphasized here: just like the definition, the criteria for recognizing the weakness syndrome are ambiguous and the frequency of this problem - as stated by various researchers - is often quite different.

Weakness syndrome: causes

The efficiency of individual organ systems, which decreases with age, is considered a completely physiological process. However, not all people who have had many springs behind them are finally diagnosed with the weakness syndrome - this is why research focused on finding the causes of the weakness syndrome was conducted (and in fact is still being conducted).

So far the problem has been related to:

  • increased levels of inflammatory markers in the body (such as e.g. fibrinogen, CRP, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha),
  • neuroendocrine disorders (in the form of e.g. reduced levels of sex hormones in the body - testosterone or estrogens, a decrease in the concentration of growth hormone or disorders of glucocorticoid secretion),
  • blood coagulation disorders.

Sometimes it bindsa syndrome of weakness with a disease of many different chronic diseases (which is referred to as multiple diseases) or with disability. Here it should be noted right away that the fragility syndrome is definitely not the same as these problems. All three of them can coexist with each other, however, just as the weakness syndrome is understood as a state of weakened reserves of the body, multi-disease or disability is associated with direct damage to various organ systems of the human body.

In general, a disabled person may also be burdened with a syndrome of weakness, but a person with fragility syndrome does not have to suffer from numerous chronic diseases at the same time.

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Weakness syndrome: symptoms

Many abnormalities are associated with the weakness syndrome, which are also treated as related ailments and which constitute the criteria for its diagnosis. In this approach, the symptoms of the weakness syndrome can be:

  • unintentional weight loss of 5 kg or more per year,
  • reduced physical activity,
  • weakness (as a subjective feeling, reported by the patient, but also objectively assessed, e.g. by assessing muscle strength and finding its weakness),
  • slowing down your gait,
  • exhaustion.

Weakness syndrome: consequences

Weakness syndrome leads to a deterioration of the senior's quality of life and this problem alone can be considered a basic complication of this individual. In addition, the syndrome of weakness - which results from where this unit comes from - also leads to various other, still serious threats.

After all, this problem is related to the weakening of the body's reserves, which makes it much more sensitive. The occurrence of a new disease - e.g. the development of diabetes in a senior or the experience of a heart attack - in a person who also has the weakness syndrome, poses an increased risk of a worse course of these new diseases.

Patients with weakness syndrome may require hospitalization more often, they lose independence faster, but they also die more easily (sometimes the death of an elderly patient who previously suffered from weakness syndrome occurs from a completely insignificant really a reason). They are also quite often associated with the discussed large geriatric syndromesarcopenia, cognitive disorders and a significant deterioration of exercise tolerance, balance disorders and malnutrition.

Weakness syndrome: treatment

In the case of a senior in this unit, the most important are the interactions aimed at solving the problems that arise in its course, such as the aforementioned sarcopenia or imbalances.

Generally, however, the most important are those interactions aimed at preventing the development of the syndrome of weakness. As part of its prophylaxis, regular physical activity is recommended - seniors can finally swim or walk often, which reduces the risk of losing their muscle mass.

Proper diet is extremely important - providing the body with the right amount of energy from eating a balanced diet rich in all necessary substances also reduces the risk of developing the fragility syndrome.

In the prevention of the weakness syndrome, it is also important to early detect various he alth abnormalities in seniors and treat them early, before they can lead to an acceleration - resulting naturally from advanced age - decrease in the physiological reserves of individual organs of the body.

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About the authorBow. Tomasz NęckiA graduate of medicine at the Medical University of Poznań. An admirer of the Polish sea (most willingly strolling along its shores with headphones in his ears), cats and books. In working with patients, he focuses on always listening to them and spending as much time as they need.

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Category:

Neurology