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Muscle weakness is the lack of muscle strength. The muscles may not be able to contract, and even maximal effort fails to produce normal movement. This decline in muscle strength hinders the ability to perform everyday tasks. It can manifest as muscle fatigue, reduced muscle tone, or even muscle wasting. Experiencing generalised weakness or weakness confined to specific areas, such as the legs, can significantly disrupt daily life.
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Difficulty moving: Feeling weakness in the arms, legs, or other muscle groups.
Fatigue: Experiencing extreme tiredness even after minimal exertion.
Limited physical activities: Struggling to climb stairs, lift objects, or even brush teeth.
Slurred speech: Unable to speak clearly due to weakness in the mouth and tongue muscles.
Difficulty eating: Weak mouth and tongue muscles can cause problems with chewing or swallowing food.
Drooping eyelids: Weakness in the eye muscles can cause blurred or double vision and drooping eyelids (ptosis).
Breathing difficulties: In severe cases, there is a weakening of the respiratory muscles which affects breathing.
Consult our orthopaedic doctors if you are experiencing muscle weakness symptoms.
Here are the 7 major muscle weakness causes:
1. Neurological disorders
Certain neuromuscular conditions and injuries damage nerves responsible for movement and muscular coordination (motor neurons) often resulting in muscle weakness. These include:
Multiple sclerosis: This autoimmune disease attacks the protective sheath around nerves, disrupting communication between the brain and muscles, and leading to weakness, numbness, and coordination problems.
Cervical spondylosis: Degeneration of the cervical spine compresses nerves, interfering with signals to muscles, resulting in weakness, numbness, and pain in the arms and legs.
Guillain-Barré syndrome: This autoimmune disorder attacks the peripheral nerves, causing rapid-onset muscle weakness, often starting in the legs and progressing upwards.
Stroke: Damage to brain cells from a stroke interrupts blood flow and oxygen supply, leading to weakness, numbness, and paralysis on the opposite side of the body.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): A degenerative disease that affects motor neurons, causing progressive muscle weakness, twitching, and eventual paralysis.
Spinal muscular atrophy: is a genetic disorder that affects motor neurons, leading to progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, particularly in the limbs and muscles involved in breathing.
Myasthenia gravis: An autoimmune disorder that attacks the neuromuscular junction, causing muscle weakness and fatigue, often improving with rest.
Spinal cord injuries: Trauma to the spinal cord can sever or damage nerve pathways, resulting in varying degrees of muscle weakness and paralysis below the level of injury.
Herniated discs: A bulging or ruptured disc can compress nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the affected area.
Peripheral nerve damage: Injury or damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord can cause weakness, numbness, tingling, and pain in the affected area.
Neuralgia: Inflammation or irritation of nerves can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the affected area.
Fibromyalgia: This chronic condition causes widespread pain, fatigue, and tenderness in muscles and soft tissues, often accompanied by muscle weakness and fatigue.
2. Metabolic disorders
Metabolic disorders like hypothyroidism, Graves' disease, and diabetes can disrupt the body's energy production, leading to muscle weakness. Diabetes causes nerve damage, further impairing muscle function and mobility. In hypothyroidism, muscle weakness and cramping may be exacerbated by physical activity and exercise.
3. Medications
Certain medications cause muscle weakness as a side effect. These include:
Statins: These cholesterol-lowering medications can sometimes interfere with the body's production of Coenzyme Q10, a molecule responsible for energy production, leading to muscle weakness, pain, and fatigue.
Corticosteroids: While effective for inflammation, long-term corticosteroids can weaken muscles by breaking down muscle protein and affecting muscle metabolism, leading to muscle wasting and weakness.
Blood pressure medications: Some blood pressure medications, such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, can interfere with muscle function by affecting calcium levels or nerve signals, leading to muscle weakness and fatigue.
4. Electrolyte imbalances
Electrolytes such as calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium are essential for properly functioning muscles, the heart, nerves, and the brain. Imbalances in these electrolytes, often caused by chemotherapy, diarrhoea, or excessive sweating, can significantly impair muscle function and result in muscle weakness.
5. Injury or trauma
Muscle injuries, such as strains, sprains or mild muscle tears that occur in any muscle can cause temporary weakness and can vary in severity
6. Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a complex medical condition that affects the body’s various systems and functions. Common symptoms include severe tiredness, muscle weakness and wasting, and sleep problems.
7. Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia)
Ageing can cause loss of muscle mass and strength. This loss tends to start when a person is 40 and above. The main symptom of sarcopenia is muscle weakness and loss of stamina.
Diseases that cause muscle weakness are diverse and require proper medical evaluation for accurate diagnosis. Diagnosing muscle weakness often involves the following:
Medical history and physical examination: A thorough review of your symptoms, and medical and physical exam to assess muscle strength and reflexes.
Blood tests: Help check for underlying conditions like thyroid problems, infections, and electrolyte imbalances.
Nerve conduction studies: Assesses the electrical activity of nerves.
Electromyography (EMG): Measures the electrical activity of muscles.
Imaging tests: Such as MRI or CT scans, to rule out structural abnormalities.
Muscle weakness treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause:
Medications: Depending on the cause, medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms, such as corticosteroids for inflammatory conditions to improve nerve transmission.
Physical therapy: Exercises to strengthen muscles, improve range of motion, and maintain mobility.
Occupational therapy: To help with daily living activities and assistive devices.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary, such as to repair nerve damage, herniated discs or remove tumours.
Dietary Changes: Adjusting the diet can help address the electrolyte imbalances.
While not a cure, some lifestyle changes may offer some relief:
Regular exercise: Gentle exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga can help maintain muscle strength.
Proper nutrition: A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and protein is essential for muscle health.
Stress management techniques: Relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation can help reduce stress, which can exacerbate muscle weakness.
Adequate rest and sleep: Sufficient sleep is crucial for muscle recovery.
Muscle weakness can significantly impact daily life, but understanding the underlying cause is crucial for effective management. If you experience persistent muscle weakness, consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Muscle weakness can have various causes, including neurological conditions (like stroke or multiple sclerosis), muscle diseases (like muscular dystrophy), metabolic disorders (like diabetes), medication side effects, electrolyte imbalances, and injuries
Maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular exercise (especially strength training), consuming a balanced diet containing protein and vitamins, and getting sufficient sleep can help prevent muscle weakness.
Consult a doctor if muscle weakness is sudden, severe, accompanied by other symptoms like difficulty breathing or swallowing, or if it significantly interferes with daily activities
Several deficiencies cause muscle weakness, including vitamin D deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and potassium deficiency.
Physical therapy, including exercises like weightlifting, resistance band training, and aquatic therapy, can effectively strengthen weak muscles and improve overall muscle function.
