Some elderly people are susceptible to body fragility

The feeling of constant fatigue, weakness in the body, unsteadiness of gait and even loss of self—confidence – all this can be not just a consequence of age, but symptoms of the so-called “fragility syndrome”. A study published in Nature Aging sheds light on this little-known but very important problem.

Some elderly people are susceptible to body fragility

Fragility is not a disease, but a condition in which the body loses its internal reserves. Even mild stress — a cold, a change in the weather, a new diet — can lead to poor health. An elderly man, who has recently been cheerful, suddenly loses weight, becomes less mobile, ceases to be interested in what pleased him before. It is this combination of fatigue, slowness, decreased activity, and muscle loss that doctors are increasingly labeling as fragility syndrome.

Scientists explain that fragility is based on disorders in the functioning of the muscular and immune systems. The level of inflammation in the body gradually increases, and the ability to recover, on the contrary, decreases. But it is especially disturbing that this process can begin long before the obvious signs appear. It’s like an internal distortion of the body, which we don’t realize for a long time until a malfunction occurs.

The good news is that fragility can not only be recognized, but also slowed down. Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and even simple attention to your habits all help your body maintain strength and stability for longer. The earlier you start taking care of the body’s resources, the less likely you are to lose weight at an older age.

Frailty syndrome is now seen as a harbinger of a deteriorating quality of life, an increased risk of falls, disability, and even premature death. But it’s not a verdict. He’s the signal. And the more attentive we are to it, the more likely we are to meet maturity without weakness.

Published

August, 2025

Category

Medicine

Duration of reading

2—3 minutes

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