Frailty Syndrome
When faced with age-related conditions such as weight and muscle loss, declining endurance, diminishing balance, waning mobility, decreasing levels of activity, and slower performance most people simply attribute them to becoming elderly. A combination of these symptoms may also mark the emergence of Frailty Syndrome. During the past decade researchers and clinicians in geriatric medicine have striven to isolate the components of this syndrome independent of the natural consequences of aging. As a result, Frailty Syndrome is currently described as the deterioration of a number of physiological systems that - when occurring simultaneously - create increased vulnerability to abrupt negative changes in health status following seemingly mild physical or emotional trauma.
The prevalence of Frailty Syndrome is twice as high for women as for men and increases for both sexes after the age of 65. The syndrome forms and progresses in a downward spiral during which the body’s ability to withstand and recover from illness or accidents dramatically declines. At the same time, due to aging, the body’s systems must spend increasing physiological reserves in order to function and recover from illness or accidents normally. The frailty cycle often begins with long-term poor nutrition including limited intake of foods that provide sufficient levels of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Poor nutrition leads to low energy levels and unintentional weight loss, along with deficiencies in the micronutrients necessary for combating illness and healing. A lack of energy leads to increasing inactivity and avoidance of exercise. Without consistent exercise muscle mass and strength deteriorate, along with cardiovascular and metabolic functions. As a result, walking speed decreases, hand strength weakens, balance becomes compromised, and the ability to perform the tasks of independent living fades. These conditions encourage further reductions in activity level and consequently reduced energy expenditure. Thus causing decreased appetite and continued poor ch nutrition. As this downward spiral progresses the occurrence of a minor bacterial infection, emotionally stress, or even changes in medication can lead to unpredictable complications.
Complications associated with middle-stage Frailty Syndrome include frequent falls due to compromised balance. Serious joint and other types of fractures are often the result especially in people with osteoporosis. These injuries often take a long time to heal and rehabilitation is sometimes incomplete, leading to a cycle of frailty, permanent disability, and even mortality. Emotional or psychological stressors within the cycle of frailty can contribute to the decline of cognitive function as well as the onset of dementia. Insulin resistance is an additional physiological complication that can develop.
No specific treatment regimen currently exists for frailty syndrome. Preventative
measures commonly recommended include: (a) maintaining adequate nutrition,
(b) frequent age-appropriate exercise,
(c) administration of flu vaccines, (d) monitoring daily living skill levels
and equilibrium, and (e) preparing ahead for the management of potential
stressors. However, engaging in consistent structured exercise is the only
prevention method scientifically proven to positively impact the progression
of the syndrome.
