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HomeHealthwhat's it and what are its causes?

what’s it and what are its causes?

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Aging is a natural process in human beings. The changes that occur over time result in an inevitable deterioration of physiological processes. This is known as frailty syndromewhereby an individual becomes more vulnerable to certain diseases and disorders common to old age.

Nonetheless, there’s no single way of aging. Facets akin to lifestyle and socioeconomic status play a task in the method. The term frailty is commonly related to older people, but there are several ways to define it.

It suits those that are at the next risk of death. As well as, it’s possible to discover some symptoms and coverings to cut back deterioration.

What’s frailty syndrome?

The aging process unfolds in alternative ways around the globe. In some places, life expectancy is far higher than in others. That is attributable to various reasons, akin to socioeconomic status, access to health care, and quality nutrition.

These elements lead to a higher rate of frailty syndrome in South American countries in comparison with Asian or European countries. This syndrome is known by experts as a decrease in physiological reserve in elderly people. It’s also commonly related to a lower resistance to emphasize.

It#s identified by an accumulation of deficits within the person’s physiological system. These range from weight reduction to motor dependence to erratic gait that increases the danger of falls, injuries, and hospitalization.

Causes of frailty syndrome

It’s a syndrome related to aging and its effects on the physiological system. A deficit in physiological reserve makes an individual more vulnerable to serious diseases. As well as, it enhances and accelerates the technique of deterioration.

Although the passage of time is linked to a generalized lack of all functions of the organism, frailty places the person at higher risk. This increases the possibilities of suffering different disorders.

Read more here: Sexuality in Old Age: What Happens?

Medical professionals know that an individual with frailty syndrome is more exposed to pathologies, in order that they take specific measures with these patients.

Symptoms and complications

Frailty syndrome is said to different symptoms, which in turn increase the danger of suffering more serious diseases:

  • Weight reduction
  • Repeated falls
  • Gait disturbances
  • Poor self-perception of 1’s own health
  • Sarcopenia or decrease in muscle mass
  • The usage of abundant medication and frequent hospitalizations

Identifying frailty syndrome is neither easy nor uniformsince it may possibly present itself through an combination of various conditions. But there are some patterns that increase the possibilities of affected by it. Amongst them are being a resident of a nursing home and being an oncology patient.

As well as, there are socioeconomic elements, akin to low income, old age, and up to date widowhood. People who find themselves chubby or anemic are more exposed to frailty.

What does the research say?

Basically, those who are suffering from frailty syndrome are twice as more likely to be susceptible to death than those that don’tand this will be attributable to various reasons. It also increases the likelihood of disability.

Different studies have been commissioned to raised specify what frailty is, in addition to to discover common patterns. For instance, one published within the specialized journal The Journals of Gerontologywhich elaborated a table with 5 criteria related to this disorder:

  1. Involuntary weight reduction of 4.5 kilograms per 12 months or greater
  2. A sense of general exhaustion
  3. Reduced walking speed
  4. A low level of physical activity
  5. Weakness and reduced strength

One other great article for you: 4 Exercises to Maintain Mental Clarity in Old Age

Physical exertion and rehabilitation of the frailty syndrome

Even though it’s a preventable disorder, aspects linked to the health system of every country are involved. Although there are not any specific rehabilitation programs, advances and advantages derived from physical activity were identified.

Frailty syndrome will be approached from multiple perspectivesbut exercise is one of the vital effective methods to diminish functional disability.

Some possible advantages of doing exercise in old age are the next:

  • Increased autophagy, a regeneration mechanism on the cellular level
  • Improvement of the cardiovascular system
  • Increased strength and power
  • Reduction of oxidative stress
  • Improved stability and suppleness

Some healthy practices intervene in a good method to avoid affected by this disorder. For instance, not falling into inactivity, practicing regular exercise, and maintaining a suggested weight based on metabolism. It’s vital to avoid falls and hostile reactions to medications, since they stimulate a vicious circle that increases fragility.

There are not any specific treatments once it’s established. Some specialists recommend long walks and others indicate more intense physical exertion, even in people over 80 years of age.

Elderly people running.
Long walks appear to be a sound alternative for those affected by this syndrome.

Lifestyle has an influence

Although frailty is a syndrome within the technique of research and related to unavoidable pathologies linked with old age, there are some strategies that reduce the danger of morbidity and mortality. Amongst them is the adoption of a healthy lifestyle that features the practice of physical exertion and an appropriate weight loss plan.

This helps to avoid entering the cycle of frailty and deterioration. With an increasingly aging population, prevention becomes crucial on this regard.

It’d interest you…

All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to make sure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this text was considered reliable and of educational or scientific accuracy.


  • Romero Cabrera, Ángel Julio, Fragility: an emerging geriatric syndrome. MediSur [Internet]. 2010;8(6):81-90. Recovered from: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=180019804014
  • Coelho-Junior, H J et al. “Prevalence of Prefrailty and Frailty in South America: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies.” The Journal of frailty & aging vol. 9,4 (2020): 197-213. doi:10.14283/jfa.2020.22. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32996556/
  • Rivadeneyra-Espinoza, Liliana, Sánchez-Hernández, Cristina del Rocio, Frailty syndrome within the elderly in a rural community in Puebla, Mexico. Duazary [Internet]. 2016;13(2):119-125. Recovered from: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=512164587007
  • Roberto, Silva, and Mayán José Manuel. “Psychological Advantages of a Proactive Physical Exercise Program for the Elderly.” Escritos de Psicología / Psychological Writings 9.1 (2016): 24–32. Available in: https://doi.org/10.5231/psy.writ.2015.2212
  • Alonso Galbán, Patricia, Sansó Soberats, Félix J., Díaz-Canel Navarro, Ana María, Carrasco García, Mayra, Diagnosis of frailty in older adults from an urban community. Cuban Journal of Public Health [Internet]. 2009;35(2):1-14. Recovered from: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=21418846016
  • Fortuño-Godes, Jesus. “Relationship Between Physical Exercise and Cognitive Processes in Older People.” Agora for Physical Education and Sport 19.1 (2017): 73–87. Available in: https://revistas.uva.es/index.php/agora/article/view/670
  • QUEVEDO-TEJERO, ELSY DEL CARMEN, ZAVALA-GONZÁLEZ, MARCO ANTONIO, ALONSO-BENITES, JANYF ROSALÍA, Frailty syndrome in non-institutionalized older adults from Emiliano Zapata, Tabasco, Mexico. medical universities [Internet]. 2011;52(3):255-268. Recovered from: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=231022506002

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