Muscle weakness (patient information)

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Weakness is a reduction in the strength of one or more muscles.

What are the symptoms of Muscle weakness?[edit | edit source]

Inability to carry out normal daily activities

What causes Muscle weakness?[edit | edit source]

Measurable weakness may result from a variety of conditions including metabolic, neurologic, primary muscular diseases, and toxic disorders.

Metabolic[edit | edit source]

• Addison's disease
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Low sodium or potassium
• Thyrotoxicosis

Neurologic[edit | edit source]

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Bell's palsy
• Cerebral palsy
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Multiple sclerosis
• Pinched nerve (for example, caused by a slipped disk in the spine)
• Stroke

Primary muscular diseases[edit | edit source]

• Becker muscular dystrophy
• Dermatomyositis
• Muscular dystrophy (Duchenne)
• Myotonic dystrophy

Toxic[edit | edit source]

• Botulism
• Organophosphate poisoning (insecticides, nerve gas)
• Paralytic shellfish poisoning

Other[edit | edit source]

• Anemia
• Myasthenia gravis
• Poliomyelitis

When to seek urgent medical care?[edit | edit source]

Call your doctor if you have:

• Prolonged, unexplained weakness
• Sudden weakness, particularly when it is in one area and not accompanied by other complaints, such as fever
• Sudden weakness following a viral illness
• Weakness in one area of the body

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

The doctor will examine you and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms, such as:

• Time pattern
  • When did the weakness begin?
  • Did it begin with an illness or injury?
  • Did it occur suddenly or gradually?
  • Is the weakness worse in the morning or at night?
  • Is the weakness noticed only after strenuous activity or exercise?
  • Did it start following a typical viral illness, such as a cold?
  • Did it start after a vaccination?

• Quality
  • Is the weakness constant or does it come and go, sometimes affecting different parts of your body?
  • Does the weakness affect breathing?
  • Does it affect talking, chewing, or swallowing?
  • Does it affect walking, climbing stairs, sitting, getting up?
  • Does it affect use of the hands, arms, or shoulders?
  • Is there pain with the weakness?
  • Is there numbness or tingling with the weakness?

• Location
  • Is the weakness limited to a specific area?
  • Has the area of weakness increased or decreased?

• Aggravating factors
  • What makes the weakness worse?
    • Physical activity
    • Rest
    • Hunger
    • Fatigue
    • Pain
    • Stress

• Relieving factors
  • Does anything help relieve the weakness?
    • Rest
    • Eating
    • Pain relief

• Other symptoms
  • What other symptoms do you have?
    • Fever
    • Injury
    • Pain
    • Numbness or tingling
    • Vomiting
    • Diarrhea
    • Weight loss
    • Headaches
    • Changes in vision
    • Change in skin color or temperature of the area affected
    • Change in mental state, alertness, or responsiveness

• Additional important information
  • What medications do you take?
  • Do you have any allergies?

Physical examination may include special attention paid to examination of heart, lungs, and thyroid gland. If there is a local area of weakness, the examination will focus on the nerve and muscle functions.

Diagnostic tests that may be done include:

• Blood tests for autoimmune disorders
• Blood tests such as a CBC and electrolytes
• Lumbar puncture (CSF collection)
• MRI or CT scan of your head and spine
• Muscle biopsy
• Nerve conduction studies
• Thyroid function tests
• Urinalysis

Treatment options[edit | edit source]

Treatment varies with the cause of weakness.

Physiotherapy may be advised to strengthen the muscles.

Where to find medical care for Muscle weakness?[edit | edit source]

Directions to Hospitals Treating Muscle weakness

Possible complications[edit | edit source]

Depending on the cause for weakness, following complications may be seen:

• Paraparesis
• Respiratory arrest

Sources[edit | edit source]

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003174.htm Template:WH Template:WS