Muscle weakness. Severe muscle weakness

Fatigue, weakness, constant tiredness, lethargy, constant lack of energy.
Typical chronic fatigue.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which began to be discussed in the 80s of the twentieth century, is one of the least studied diseases. Many experts doubted that this disease really exists and is not a manifestation of depression or the fantasy of suspicious people. People suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, regardless of gender, at the most productive and working age from 20 to 50 years.Many open and accessible studies confirm: “a decrease in the activity of certain genes leads to a deterioration in the human body’s ability to withstand stress, including aging and disease.”

Various reasons lead to the most important thing - a slowdown in metabolic processes in cells and the accumulation of waste in tissues. Fatigue causes a huge consumption of oxygen and glycogen, excess lactic acid, accumulation of amino acids, hormones and other protein substances in the blood.Currently, chronic fatigue syndrome in Russia is mostly registered in environmentally unfavorable regions, in cities with a lot of transport, in industrial areas where there is a high level of environmental pollution with chemically harmful substances or increased levels of radiation. These factors negatively affect the health of the immune system, weaken it (clinically, this stage is defined as fatigue syndrome), which contributes to the activation of latent viruses.

What are the clinical manifestations of chronic fatigue syndrome?Firstly, it is a constant feeling of lethargy and weakness that does not go away after a night's sleep and proper rest. These manifestations, in fact, are not related to the intensity of physical or emotional stress. Patients constantly feel overwhelmed and want to sit or lie down. Any workload that previously went unnoticed, such as homework or socializing with friends at a party, quickly exhausts you, causes irritation and a desire to retire. Due to constant asthenia, reluctance to do anything and complaints of weakness, such patients can give others the impression of being lazy, “slackers” or “malingerers”, since there seem to be no objective reasons for such behavior. Moreover, if a young and physically strong person complains of lethargy and fatigue during little work.

The second important manifestation of chronic fatigue syndrome is pain in muscles and joints. These pains can be mild, aching, then intensifying, then passing for no apparent reason. Their presence forces many doctors to classify chronic fatigue syndrome as a group of fibromyalgia - immune or hereditary diseases of the muscles and fascia. In this case, body temperature is usually normal; muscles are not hot or tense. Along with muscle pain, headaches often appear, as well as discomfort in the eyes.One of the most common complaints with which people go to the doctor is fatigue, which is called by different names: weakness, tiredness, lethargy, lack of energy. When normal activity exhausts you, you suffer from fatigue, the causes of which can be varied.

Previously, it was suggested that the cause of the disease could be a virus, in particular the Epstein-Barr virus; In addition, it was assumed that the disease is based on immune disorders, but both of these theories have recently been refuted.Chronic fatigue syndrome is a fairly common disease.In the development of the body's response to stressors, especially under the influence of intense and prolonged disturbing factors, the leading role belongs to the nervous, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and immune systems, the flexible interaction of which and their stable functioning generally determine the body's resistance to psycho-emotional overloads and the effects of various environmental factors. Apparently, it is the disruption of the interaction between the nervous, immune and endocrine systems that plays a critical role in the development and progression of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Another difference between typical chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome is that chronic fatigue syndrome does not feel like normal fatigue. The feeling of fatigue with CFS is much stronger than even extreme fatigue after a severe hangover. Patients with CFS suffer from chronic stress in the nervous system, and not just from physical or nervous exhaustion, which each of us experiences from time to time. Fatigue is a mandatory, but not the only sign of this disease. The onset of clinical manifestations of chronic fatigue syndrome is usually associated with a previous “cold” - influenza, sore throat, adenovirus infection and, less often, with emotional stress. Milder cases of CFS at the stage of increased fatigue syndrome usually remain unrecognized, and in more severe cases of the disease, after numerous consultations with various specialists, the patient is often diagnosed with a febrile state of unknown etiology.

Clinically, the constant symptoms of CFS are: severe fatigue and muscle weakness that does not go away after a night's sleep, shallow sleep with nightmares, and difficulty falling asleep. Characterized by mood variability during the day under the influence of the most minor psychogenic factors and a periodically occurring state of depression, in which patients feel the need for solitude, they have a feeling of depression, and sometimes hopelessness. Thus, one part of the symptoms of CFS is inherent in infectious diseases (fever, generalized lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, myalgia, etc.), and the other part is characteristic of borderline neuropsychic conditions (unreasonable fatigue, sleep disorders, depression, memory loss, muscle weakness, frequent mood swings and etc.).

Other symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include diffuse pain in the muscles of the trunk and limbs. This pain is not intense. Most often it is dull, aching or pulling, and most importantly, constant, which creates a certain discomfort. Almost all patients note chills, less often - severe chills and low-grade fever (37.5-37.8 ° C), which persists for months. Along with myalgia, arthralgia is often observed in CFS: this is usually pain in large joints, which is of a constant aching nature. Patients with CFS, especially young people, are characterized by frequent respiratory viral infections and repeated sore throats, and upon a detailed examination by an otolaryngologist they are often diagnosed with chronic tonsillitis. However, sanitation of the palatine tonsils does not improve the patient’s condition; low-grade fever and weakness persist.

Muscle weakness is a common complaint, but the word "weakness" itself has a fairly wide range of meanings, including fatigue, decreased stamina, or complete inability to function. The range of possible causes of muscle weakness is even wider.

What is muscle weakness?

The term "muscle weakness" can be used to describe several different things.

Primary or true muscle weakness

It manifests itself in the inability to do with the muscles what a person wanted. Even if such actions are not performed for the first time, but a trained person is trying to perform them. There is a decrease in the strength that the muscles need, but there is none. The muscle is not working properly and has become abnormal.

This type of muscle weakness can result from a stroke, and it can also occur with muscular dystrophy. In both cases, weakened muscles cannot perform the usual load, and changes occur in muscle strength.

Muscle fatigue

It is sometimes called asthenia. This is the feeling of tiredness or exhaustion that you experience. The muscles don't actually become weaker; they still function, but you'll need more effort to perform the actions. This type of weakness is observed in those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disorders, depression, chronic heart, lung and kidney diseases. Muscle fatigue may be due to the fact that the muscles do not receive enough energy.

Muscle fatigue

Muscle fatigue is when a muscle begins to function normally, but very quickly loses this ability, and recovery takes much longer than usual. Muscle fatigue is often combined with muscle fatigue, especially if the person suffers from myasthenia gravis or myotonic dystrophy.

Common Causes of Muscle Weakness

Deterioration in physical condition/inactive (sedentary) lifestyle

Lack of physical activity is one of the most common causes of muscle weakness. If the muscles are not used, the fibers in the muscles are partially replaced by fat. Muscle atrophy eventually occurs: the muscles become less stocky and more flexible. Each fiber remains strong, but loses its ability to contract effectively.

You may feel your muscles becoming flabby and shrinking in size. This leads to mild fatigue when you try to do something, such as gardening or housework. If your muscles were trained, everything would be much easier for you. This condition is reversible but requires regular exercise. This becomes especially relevant with age.

Peak muscle development occurs between the ages of 20 and 30. It is in this age range that the greatest number of great athletes can be found. However, you can maintain muscle tone through regular exercise at any age. Many successful long-distance runners are over 40 years old and have trained their muscles to handle the long, extended periods of exercise that a marathon requires.

No matter what age you decide to improve your fitness, choose a reasonable exercise regimen and consult your doctor before starting. At the initial stage of training, you also need advice from trainers to prevent muscle injuries from too intense exercise.

Aging

As we age, our muscles lose strength and become weaker. Even though most people accept this as a natural consequence of age, they still sometimes feel frustrated when they are unable to do the things they were able to do when they were younger. However, even in old age, physical exercise can maintain and even increase muscle strength, with careful organization and safety of training.

As we age, it takes much longer to recover from injuries, as bones become thinner and break more easily. So monitoring the safety of physical exercise at an advanced age is of great importance.

Infections

Infections and diseases are among the most common causes of temporary muscle fatigue. The most vulnerable muscles are the thigh muscles. They can become inflamed during complications from the flu, and muscle weakness in this case can last for quite a long time.

Muscle weakness can also be caused by chronic fatigue syndrome or any illness characterized by high fever and muscle inflammation. However, there are a number of medical conditions that pose the highest risk of muscle weakness. These include: influenza, glandular fever virus, HIV, Lyme disease and hepatitis C.

Less common diseases that can cause muscle weakness are tuberculosis, malaria, syphilis, and polio.

Pregnancy

During and immediately after pregnancy, high levels of steroids in the blood, as well as a lack of adequate iron (anemia) can cause a feeling of muscle fatigue. During pregnancy, you should be especially careful when exercising, as the woman has to carry quite a lot of weight. This can lead to lower back pain if you do not adapt to the changed condition and are not careful about your posture.

Permanent (chronic) diseases

Many chronic diseases often cause muscle weakness. In some cases, this is due to a reduction in blood and nutrients needed by the muscles.

Peripheral vascular diseases: Caused by narrowing of the arteries, usually due to increased cholesterol levels. Causes may include smoking or poor diet. Blood flow to the muscles slows down, and this becomes especially noticeable during physical activity that a person can no longer cope with. Sometimes pain may appear instead of weakness, but muscle weakness can also become a problem.

Diabetes. High blood sugar levels (and sometimes changes in salt levels) negatively affect the ability of muscles to perform their functions well. As diabetes progresses, the blood supply to the nerves is also impeded. The muscle fiber nerves lose sensitivity and the muscle fiber stops working. People with diabetes also have an increased tendency for their arteries to narrow.

Cardiovascular diseases, in particular, heart failure can lead to rapid muscle fatigue by reducing blood supply during physical activity. The heart is unable to provide the required amount of blood to the muscles, which results in muscle weakness.

Chronic lung diseases: Lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cause the body's ability to absorb oxygen to decrease. Muscles require a rapid supply of oxygen from the blood, especially during physical activity. Decreased oxygen consumption leads to mild fatigue. Over time, chronic lung disease can lead to muscle wasting, although this is mostly common in very severe cases when oxygen levels in the blood begin to drop.

Chronic kidney disease affects the entire body environment through salt imbalances in the body and through changes in calcium and vitamin D levels. Kidney disease also causes concentrations of toxic substances (toxins) in the blood because the kidneys are unable to process these toxins in a timely manner. All of this can lead to true muscle weakness as well as muscle fatigue.

Anemia(lack of red blood cells). It has many causes, including poor nutrition, blood loss, pregnancy, genetic diseases, infectious diseases and cancer. Anemia also reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen to the muscles. Anemia develops rather slowly, and muscle fatigue and shortness of breath appear as the disease progresses.

Conditions affecting the “commands” of the brain to the muscles

Anxiety

Anxiety can cause muscle weakness. This is due to the increased activity of adrenaline in the body.

Depression

Depression can also cause general fatigue and a feeling of muscle weakness. Note: Anxiety and depression can cause a feeling of fatigue and muscle fatigue, but not true weakness.

Chronic pain

General effects on energy levels may be a result of chronic pain. It stimulates the body to produce chemicals that respond to pain and injury. These chemicals cause you to feel tired or tired.

With chronic pain, a person may experience not only muscle weakness, but also be unable to fully use the muscles due to pain and discomfort.

Muscle damage due to injury

There are many situations in which your muscles can become damaged. The most obvious is injury, dislocation, sprain (during physical activity and sports activities).

A common cause of injury can be an attempt to start doing exercises without proper warm-up and “warming up” the muscles. During a muscle injury, bleeding occurs within the damaged muscle tissue, followed by swelling and inflammation. This makes the muscles weak and painful when they function. Localized pain is the main symptom of a muscle injury, but weakness may also be present.

Medicines

Many medications can cause muscle weakness and muscle damage as a side effect or allergic reaction. It usually starts as fatigue, but can progress if medications are not stopped.

Some antibiotics and anti-inflammatory painkillers can cause a similar effect, and long-term use of oral steroids also causes muscle weakness and exhaustion. There are also a number of less commonly used medications that can cause muscle weakness and muscle damage. These include some heart medications, chemotherapy medications, HIV medications, interferon, and thyroid medications.

Other substances

Long-term alcohol use can cause weakness in the shoulder and hip muscles. Smoking can indirectly weaken muscles. Smoking causes narrowing of the arteries, which leads to peripheral vascular disease. Cocaine. Abuse of this drug causes noticeable muscle weakness, as with other psychoactive substances.

Related materials

Muscle weakness is a pathology that can occur in a person at any age and for various reasons. There is also an autoimmune disease, myasthenia gravis, in which the muscles cannot cope with their function and quickly tire, as a result, the person cannot move normally.

Myasthenia gravis occurs quite rarely; more often the cause of weakness in the legs or other parts of the body is overwork. In any case, to rule out the presence of a serious pathology, you need to contact a therapist and neurologist and undergo an examination.

With myasthenia gravis, severe weakness appears, the muscles stop contracting normally. The disease occurs due to a malfunction in the immune system, in which a disorder occurs in the area where muscle cells connect to nerve endings.

Myasthenia gravis can affect muscles throughout the body, but most often the disease affects the muscles of the face. Therefore, if weakness appears in the arms or legs, then most likely the reason is different. Why does it appear The disease is not known for sure; there is an assumption that it is inherited, but this statement has not been proven.

Interestingly, myasthenia gravis occurs in the form of attacks, and after a night’s sleep there are usually no signs of the disease. But during the day, muscle weakness appears again, and by the evening the situation completely worsens. Also, the disease may not manifest itself from time to time; often, a long remission occurs during pregnancy.

Myasthenia gravis occurs in three forms:

Congenital. This pathology is considered quite rare; in this case, a child is born with a genetic pathology in which the conductivity of synapses is disrupted.
Acquired. This type of myasthenia gravis occurs most often, the exact causes of its occurrence are not known, the disease can appear as a result of infectious diseases, hormonal imbalance, hyperplasia, or a tumor of the thymus.
Neonatal. In this case, the disease occurs in infants; the disease is associated with the transfer of antibodies from mother to child through the placenta, if the mother has myasthenia gravis.

Causes

There are many reasons why muscle weakness occurs, especially if the pathology affects not the face, but the body. The cause of muscle weakness may be increased fatigue due to diseases such as HIV, mononucleosis, hepatitis, anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome and even depression.

Muscle weakness can occur for the following reasons:

The cause of muscle weakness is bed rest

For a stroke.
When the spinal cord is compressed, for example by a tumor.
Muscle weakness can also be caused by atrophy. This condition usually occurs in bedridden and seriously ill people. In this case, weakness may be throughout the body.
With acquired myopathies, there may be muscle weakness, for example, with alcoholism.
This symptom can also occur with long-term use of muscle relaxants, especially in bedridden patients.
Weakness in the legs can also occur with varicose veins, flat feet, joint problems and other disorders.
Low blood pressure can also cause muscle weakness, even throughout the body.
Vitamin deficiency can also provoke muscle weakness, especially potassium deficiency has a bad effect on muscle function.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to list absolutely all the causes of muscle weakness in various parts of the body, since such a symptom, to one degree or another, can appear in various pathologies. In any case, you should consult a specialist as soon as possible if the problem bothers you regularly or is accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms.

Symptoms

The symptoms of the disease depend on its cause. With myasthenia gravis, weakness of the facial muscles appears. If the eyes are affected, ptosis of the eyelid occurs and a double image appears. If myasthenia gravis occurs throughout the body, the triceps muscles of the shoulder, eyelids, lips, and neck area are primarily affected. As a result, the patient cannot swallow or speak normally.

Muscle weakness in the legs, which occurs due to damage to blood vessels or joints, is most often accompanied by pain, a change in skin color around the affected area, and a venous network may appear. With alcoholism, not only weakness occurs, but also swelling, a condition associated with recent consumption of alcohol-containing drinks.

With low blood pressure, muscle weakness is often accompanied by headaches, dizziness, the patient becomes absent-minded, complains of poor memory, and the patients’ hands and feet are cold. And with a stroke, not only weakness occurs throughout the body, but also speech impairment, gait changes, and the person cannot move, swallow, or speak normally.

Only a doctor can accurately compare all the symptoms and establish a diagnosis. It is worth understanding that muscle weakness can also appear as a result of the negative impact of several pathologies on the body at once, so it is simply impossible to make an accurate diagnosis without examination.

In children

Muscle weakness in children can occur due to serious congenital diseases. Usually in such cases, the pathology is visible to the naked eye, as muscle tone decreases, the body becomes asymmetrical, the child cannot hold the affected limb, and often lags behind in physical development.

Causes of muscle weakness in children:

Down syndrome;
Jaundice due to Rh factor conflict;
Botulism;
Prader-Willi syndrome;
Muscle dystrophy;
Blood poisoning;
Hypothyroidism;
Excessive intake of vitamin D;
Complications after vaccination;
Rickets;
Back muscle atrophy;
Cerebellar ataxia.

It is worth noting that muscle hypotonicity in children does not always indicate a serious congenital disease. Often this pathology is observed in babies who experienced hypoxia in the womb, during a pathological course of pregnancy. Most often, this problem can be solved with massage, physiotherapy and gymnastics; by the age of one year, in this case, the baby is already healthy, sometimes drug treatment may be required.

In any case, if a child at any age becomes lethargic, drowsy, or since birth the baby sleeps a lot, does not cry like other children, eats poorly and moves little, then you need to urgently consult a neurologist for advice. Such symptoms are not always a serious pathology, but an examination is necessary.

Diagnostics

A therapist and neurologist diagnoses and treats weak muscles. First of all, the patient is recommended to consult a general practitioner, who, if necessary, gives a referral to a specialist. When diagnosing, it is very important to determine what is bothering the patient: weakness or muscle fatigue.

The doctor usually begins by collecting an anamnesis, the doctor listens to all the patient’s complaints: how and when muscle weakness bothers him, in which parts of the body it is localized, what other symptoms bother him. The doctor is interested in whether the patient can take care of himself, how long ago the weakness began, whether the patient complains of memory, and assesses his general condition.

The specialist must examine the patient externally: skin, weight and reflexes can tell a lot. Illnesses suffered in the past also play an important role, so when you see a doctor, you should definitely take your card and hospital extracts, if present.

Usually, after the interview, the doctor already assumes what exactly the problem may be, so he can prescribe a number of necessary tests to confirm or refute the preliminary diagnosis. Depending on the pathology, the following tests are prescribed:

Blood test is one of the diagnostic methods

To identify myasthenia gravis, tests with edrophonium are prescribed; they help to identify the immune reaction, a blood test for the presence of antibodies to acetylcholine, as well as electromyography;
If there is a suspicion of hereditary pathology, then a genetic study is carried out;
Muscle biopsy may be indicated for myopathy;
If vasculitis is suspected, then an antibody test is prescribed;
Ultrasound, MRI, CT may also be indicated;
If there are signs of infection, blood and urine tests are ordered;
If a tumor is detected, it can be punctured.

If the doctor is confident that the cause of the symptom is muscle fatigue, then further testing may not be necessary. In this case, the doctor immediately prescribes treatment and repeated consultations, during which he can assess the patient’s condition.

Treatment

The doctor decides how to treat weak muscles, depending on the diagnosis. If muscle weakness occurs due to any disease, then first of all they treat it. Usually, eliminating the cause of the pathology relieves the patient of an unpleasant symptom, but not with myasthenia gravis.

For myasthenia gravis, long-term physiotherapeutic and drug treatment is prescribed, which is aimed at restoring the functioning of the immune system, as well as normalizing muscle tone. In severe cases, radiation therapy and surgery may be prescribed to remove the thymus gland, usually due to a tumor or failure of conservative treatment.

For myasthenia gravis, the following drugs are prescribed:

Anticholinesterase drugs, for example, Proserin. Such drugs provoke muscles to contract, but they must be selected by a doctor, calculating the dosage individually.
Hormonal drugs are prescribed for severe disease.
Immunoglobulins, for example Pentaglobin.
Sometimes Polyphepan (enterosorbent) may be prescribed.

Physiotherapeutic treatment is prescribed to normalize muscle function and improve their trophism. For myasthenia gravis, the following procedures are prescribed:

manual massage;
electrostatic massage;
aerophytotherapy;
local darsonvalization;
medicinal electrophoresis;
chromotherapy;
diadynamophoresis;
electrical neurostimulation.

During the period of remission of myasthenia gravis, patients can be sent to resort and sanatorium treatment, for example, in Sochi, Crimea. It is also worth noting that during the period of exacerbation, the patient is contraindicated in heavy physical activity and taking certain medications.

Folk

Before you start treatment with folk remedies, you need to undergo an examination and find out what is the cause of the symptom. If you start treatment without knowing the exact cause of weakness, you can provoke life-threatening complications, especially with myasthenia gravis.

Muscle weakness must be treated comprehensively; folk remedies are allowed to be used only after consultation with a doctor and with his permission. For myasthenia gravis, traditional healers recommend the following recipes:

The consumption of dried fruits is recommended for myasthenia gravis, in particular during the period of remission for prevention. You can eat dried apricots, prunes, raisins, adding them to porridges and salads, cook compotes, make infusions, you can add rose hips, dried berries and fruits.
The following remedy is prepared from three heads of garlic, four lemons, 200 ml of flaxseed oil and a kilogram of honey. All components are crushed and mixed thoroughly, take a teaspoon every day half an hour before meals.

Prevention

The prognosis depends on the disease that was discovered and how it was treated. Myasthenia gravis is a severe chronic disease, it is incurable, but in our time, timely therapy can significantly improve the patient’s quality of life.

Severe myasthenia gravis seriously threatens the patient’s life, so special attention should be paid to the treatment and prevention of the disease. The patient needs to eat properly, excluding fatty and unhealthy foods, avoid increased physical activity, but still do gymnastics as recommended by the doctor.

It is also necessary to follow all doctor’s instructions, take medications to strengthen the immune system, if necessary, attend physical therapy, and undergo treatment on time even during remission. It is also very important to treat infectious and other pathologies only under the supervision of specialists, since many antibiotics and other medications are contraindicated in myasthenia gravis.

Myasthenia gravis (video)

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Why do muscles get tired and how do toning tables work?

How do muscles work?

Since our school days, we remember that the human skeleton cannot move on its own. It is moved by muscles due to their contraction - the muscle becomes shorter and thicker and, as it were, pulls the bone in one direction or another. The more muscles contract, the more tired they become. Everything seems to be clear and logical. But if you try to understand this complex multi-level mechanism, everything seems much more complex and interesting.

Why do our muscles get tired?

It is clear that the body in general and the muscles in particular need rest. It is during rest that cell renewal occurs. Therefore, nature decreed that the signal about the need for rest enters the brain immediately. This function was long believed to be performed by lactic acid. It is this substance that is produced in the muscles during their contraction, and it also “notifies” the brain. If lactic acid ceased to be produced, a person would not experience fatigue from physical activity, but this could lead to his death.

However, more recently, scientists at Columbia University in New York have questioned the role of lactic acid. In their opinion, the cause of muscle fatigue is calcium molecules penetrating muscle tissue cells through a gap in the cell membrane, which appears as a result of muscle contractions. Based on this discovery, they are already trying to create drugs that could prevent the “leaking” of calcium. But, as they say, any experiments with nature are not as harmless as they might seem at first glance.

It is not yet completely clear what causes muscle fatigue, but, be that as it may, fatigue directly depends on the number of muscles that contract during physical activity and on the number of contractions themselves. If we analyze the effectiveness of a person’s exercise on a sports machine, it will be clear that, in addition to the muscle directly on which the load is directed, many other muscle groups actively participate in the process, which, in turn, give a signal to the brain about fatigue. Simply put, with conventional exercise machines we do a lot of unnecessary work and get tired quickly. If the load is targeted, the effectiveness of the training could increase several times.

How can you avoid muscle fatigue?

You can achieve this effect by practicing. The principle of their operation is such that during training, for example, the abdominal muscles, the load is directed only at them and nowhere else. When you pump your abs in the usual way, the muscles of your back, neck, arms and legs are involved and, accordingly, all these muscles get tired. General fatigue does not allow you to fully work out the necessary muscles. All muscles, except those that the training is aimed at, are rested. Consequently, the number of repetitions of the exercise can be several times greater. This is the principle of operation of these “smart” simulators, and this is why the statement that training on them can be several times more effective than on conventional simulators is not an exaggeration!

Muscle tissue is necessary for every person to perform a wide variety of movements and actions. Thanks to them, we can move in space, speak and even breathe. But sometimes muscle activity causes various malfunctions that require quite close attention and adequate timely correction. So one of the possible disorders is muscle weakness in the arms and legs. On this page www.site we’ll talk about the causes of such trouble, consider its symptoms, and also answer the question of how this problem is treated.

Why muscle weakness occurs (reasons)

Weakness in the arms and legs can develop for a variety of reasons, sometimes they can be completely natural. This condition often occurs in people who play sports, for example, after training. Natural weakness is a common symptom of viral diseases.

In addition, weakness in the arms can develop due to arthritis, osteochondrosis in the cervical region and spondylosis of the neck. This nuisance often occurs against the background of a sprained or inflammatory lesion of the shoulder. Sometimes it is a consequence of damage to the wrist or shoulder, as well as the area of the shoulder blades. We have not listed all the pathological conditions that can cause muscle weakness in the arms. This symptom may also be accompanied by pain and a feeling of short numbness.

As for muscle weakness in the legs, it can occur due to radiculitis, diabetes mellitus (type 1 or 2). Also, such a disorder is sometimes provoked by nervous stress, fatigue and overexertion. Muscle weakness in the lower extremities can develop due to the presence of hernias in the lumbar region, mostly intervertebral.

It can also be provoked by osteochondrosis in the lumbar region, as well as hormonal imbalance. Also, this phenomenon can be caused by natural causes - overwork, wearing tight shoes, etc.

Muscle weakness in the arms and legs can develop due to an autoimmune disorder called myasthenia gravis. This disease usually manifests itself periodically, sometimes exacerbating, sometimes being in remission. With this disease, muscle weakness eventually spreads to other muscles.

How muscle weakness manifests itself (symptoms)

With muscle weakness, a person feels a pronounced decrease in strength either in one muscle or in several at once. It is extremely important to differentiate muscle weakness from a general state of fatigue, feelings of weakness, and lethargy.

The presence of chronic muscle fatigue is felt in a certain place, while the general condition of the body remains cheerful.

How muscle weakness is corrected (treatment depending on the causes)

Treatment for muscle weakness depends solely on what caused it. Treatment can only be selected by a doctor who will conduct a full diagnosis and determine the cause of the disease.

Myasthenia gravis is considered the most serious problem that can provoke muscle weakness. This disease cannot be completely cured; the patient is advised to undergo physiotherapeutic procedures aimed at restoring muscle tone. Doctors also prescribe medications that slow down and stop pathological processes. Among these medications are Proserin, Kalimin, Oxazil, Metipred, and Prednisolone.

If the cause of muscle weakness lies in pathologies of the nervous system, a neurologist is involved in treatment. The patient is indicated for physical therapy, massages and physiotherapeutic treatment. The doctor also selects symptomatic therapy, neuroprotective medications, vitamin formulations, etc.

Many disorders that cause weakness in the arms and legs can be successfully corrected through manual therapy sessions. Chiropractic specialists effectively select gentle techniques that help restore optimal blood circulation, eliminate increased swelling, as well as muscle spasms. Carrying out a course of manual therapy in parallel with exercise therapy helps to improve the general condition of blood vessels, eliminate weakness and stop other negative processes.

If muscle weakness is the result of overwork, excessive physical exertion, etc., the patient needs to completely reconsider his lifestyle. It is extremely important to systematically take full rest and reduce the intensity of stress. In case of such violations, it is necessary to make the diet as balanced and complete as possible, adhere to the drinking regime and take measures to prevent dehydration. If necessary, you should consider changing your shoes to the most comfortable ones. Massages and warm, relaxing baths will be beneficial.

If you are experiencing limb weakness for the first time, it is extremely important to consult a doctor promptly. If unpleasant symptoms appear, you need to relax and have a good rest. You need to sit or lie down for twenty to thirty minutes. This time may be sufficient for temporary optimization of the state. It is also recommended to drink some kind of sedative. A good option would be tea based on mint, lemon balm, etc.

Thus, a feeling of muscle weakness in the arms or legs is a serious symptom that can signal many disorders. Therefore, if it occurs, it is necessary to seek doctor’s help.

Ekaterina, www.site
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