Causes of Muscle Weakness
Is it harder to get up from your chair, climb the stairs or open a jar than it used to be? Lots of things can make your muscles weak and you lose strength. Sometimes it happens all of a sudden. But muscle weakness if more to affect you little by little over time. So you may feel that it sneaked up on you. And keep in mind:Muscle weakness is different from fatigue or pain.
It's normal to lose some muscle mass and get weaker with age. Doctors call this sarcopenia. You probably won't notice it before your 60s and 70s.
Sarcopenia can also come from some other health conditions that make you inactive. If your doctor suspects sarcopenia they may test it to see how fast you can walk.
Sarcopenia can also come from some other health conditions that make you inactive. If your doctor suspects sarcopenia they may test it to see how fast you can walk.
Check Your medicines
Some medications can weaken your muscles. These include corticosteroids like prednisone and cholesterol -lowering statins. If you feel weak and don't why, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it might be a side effect of any medicine you're taking.
Some medications can weaken your muscles. These include corticosteroids like prednisone and cholesterol -lowering statins. If you feel weak and don't why, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it might be a side effect of any medicine you're taking.
Cold Or Flu
If you have a bad cold , the flu, or some other bug, it can leave you feeling tired and weak. But they should go away once you get better. Some viruses can infect the muscle itself to cause weaknesses. This isn't likely to happen if you are otherwise healthy. (Stay tuned).
If you have a bad cold , the flu, or some other bug, it can leave you feeling tired and weak. But they should go away once you get better. Some viruses can infect the muscle itself to cause weaknesses. This isn't likely to happen if you are otherwise healthy. (Stay tuned).
Muscle Injury
Dis you lift something that was too heavy for you? Or does your work involve a lot of repetition? If so, the cause of your muscle weakness could be a muscle tear or even strain. If it isn't too bad following the R.IC.E. approach at home can help your injury heal:
* Rest
*Ice
* Compression
* Evaluation
See a doctor if your injury gets worse. Regular stretches and exercises can help to keep your muscles strong and prevent future injuries.
Multiple Sclerosis
Dis you lift something that was too heavy for you? Or does your work involve a lot of repetition? If so, the cause of your muscle weakness could be a muscle tear or even strain. If it isn't too bad following the R.IC.E. approach at home can help your injury heal:
* Rest
*Ice
* Compression
* Evaluation
See a doctor if your injury gets worse. Regular stretches and exercises can help to keep your muscles strong and prevent future injuries.
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle weakness may be a sign of a serious health condition like multiple sclerosis (MS). When you have it your immune system attacks the protective layers that surround your nerve fibers.This leads to a breakdown in communication between the brain and other parts of your body. Signs and symptoms of MS vary widely from one person to the next. But they often include numbness or weakness in one or both arms and legs.
A Stroke
If your muscles get weak suddenly, it might be a stroke. Most of the time, muscles weakness related to a stroke will affect one side of the body and not the other. You may also notice:
*Dizziness
* Blurred Vision
* Trouble walking or talking *Loss of balance and" or coordination
* Confusion
* Headache
A stroke is a medical emergency. If you think you or someone else may be having a stroke , call 911.
If your muscles get weak suddenly, it might be a stroke. Most of the time, muscles weakness related to a stroke will affect one side of the body and not the other. You may also notice:
*Dizziness
* Blurred Vision
* Trouble walking or talking *Loss of balance and" or coordination
* Confusion
* Headache
A stroke is a medical emergency. If you think you or someone else may be having a stroke , call 911.
Other Conditions:
* Sleep disorders
* Thyroid disorders
* Chronic fatigue syndrome
* Dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and other myopathies
*Myasthenia gravis
* Diabetes
If you think you're losing strength and don't know why, see a doctor.
* Sleep disorders
* Thyroid disorders
* Chronic fatigue syndrome
* Dermatomyositis, polymyositis, and other myopathies
*Myasthenia gravis
* Diabetes
If you think you're losing strength and don't know why, see a doctor.
Pregnancy
There are many signs and symptoms of pregnancy including, fatigue, but muscle weakness isn't one of them. If you have a condition like myasthenia, pregnancy could make it worse. See your doctor if you're pregnant and are having weakness. While rare, it could be a sign of a health problem like, Guillain Barré syndrome.
Credit: WebMD
There are many signs and symptoms of pregnancy including, fatigue, but muscle weakness isn't one of them. If you have a condition like myasthenia, pregnancy could make it worse. See your doctor if you're pregnant and are having weakness. While rare, it could be a sign of a health problem like, Guillain Barré syndrome.
Credit: WebMD