Lack of strength, muscular weakness: What's it, causes, symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention

Weakness; Lack of strength; Muscle weakness

Muscle weakness refers to the condition, characterized by a decrease in muscle strength and an inability to generate normal force during physical activity. It can affect various muscle groups in the body., which makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks.

Causes of muscle weakness

Weakness can be caused by diseases or conditions, affecting many different body systems, eg:

Metabolic causes of muscle weakness

• The adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones (Addison's disease)
• parathyroid glands, producing too much parathyroid hormone (giperparatireoz)
• Low levels of sodium or potassium in the blood
• Hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis)

Neurological causes of muscle weakness

• Disease of the nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; CHIEF)
• Weakness of the facial muscles (Bell's palsy)
• Group of brain and nervous system disorders (cerebral palsy)
• Nerve inflammation, causing muscle weakness (Guillain Barre syndrome)
• Multiple sclerosis
• pinched nerve (eg, caused by a displaced disc in the spine)
• Stroke

Muscle diseases

• Hereditary disease, characterized by slowly increasing muscle weakness of the legs and pelvis (becker muscular dystrophy).
• Muscle disease, accompanied by inflammation and skin rash (dermatomyositis).
• Group of hereditary diseases, causing muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue (muscular dystrophy).

Poisoning

• Botulism
• Poisoning ( insekticidы, nerve gas)
• Shellfish poisoning

Other causes of muscle weakness

• Not enough healthy red blood cells (anemia)
• Damage to muscles and nerves, who control them (myasthenia gravis)
• Polio
• Cancer

Symptoms of muscle weakness

Symptoms, which may indicate muscle weakness:

• Difficulty lifting or carrying objects
• Trouble climbing stairs or getting up from a seated position
• General fatigue and decreased stamina
• Frequent stumbling
• Weak grip strength

When to see a doctor

It is recommended to seek medical attention, if you experience persistent or increasing muscle weakness, especially if it is accompanied by other alarming symptoms. Consult your doctor, if:

• Weakness affects your ability to perform daily activities
• You experience muscle weakness after starting a new medication
• Sudden and severe muscle weakness
• Do you have associated symptoms?, such as numbness, tingling or pain

Questions, that your doctor may ask

When You Consult Your Doctor About Muscle Weakness, be prepared to answer the following questions:

• When did you first notice muscle weakness??
• Which muscle groups are affected first?
• Have you had any recent injury or illness?
• Do you have a family history of muscle disease?
• Are there other accompanying symptoms?

Diagnosis of muscle weakness

To determine the root cause of muscle weakness, doctor can do the following:

• Physical examination to assess muscle strength and reflexes
• Review of medical history, including family history
• Laboratory tests, such as blood tests and electromyography (DOH)
• Imaging studies, such as MRI or ultrasound
• Nerve conduction studies

Treatment Options

Treatment for muscle weakness depends on the underlying cause and may include:

• Physiotherapy: structured exercise program, designed to improve muscle strength, flexibility and general functioning.
• Medicines. Depending on the specific cause, your doctor may prescribe medications to treat underlying conditions or relieve symptoms.. For Example, corticosteroids may be prescribed for autoimmune diseases.
• Surgery. In some cases, surgery may be required, to correct underlying structural problems or reduce nerve compression.
• Lifestyle Changes. Making certain lifestyle changes, such as improved nutrition, regular exercise and stress relief, may help improve muscle strength and overall health.
• Auxiliary devices. Depending on the severity of muscle weakness, your doctor may recommend the use of assistive devices., such as staples, crutches or wheelchairs, to ensure mobility and independence.

Home treatment and self-care

In addition to medical treatment, there are steps, things you can do at home, to deal with muscle weakness:

• Follow a balanced and nutritious diet, to get enough vitamins and minerals.
• Engage in regular exercise and physical activity within your capacity. Consult a doctor or physiotherapist, to find the right exercises.
• Practice proper posture and body mechanics, to minimize stress on weak muscles.
• Get enough rest and prioritize sleep, to support muscle recovery and overall well-being.
• Consider Stress Reduction Techniques, such as meditation or yoga, because stress can aggravate muscle weakness.

Prevention of muscle weakness

Although it is not possible to prevent all causes of muscle weakness, you can take certain steps to keep your muscles healthy:

• Engage in regular exercise and strength training, to build and maintain muscle mass.
• Eat a well-balanced diet, rich in essential nutrients.
• Practice proper body mechanics and ergonomics, to avoid overstressing the muscles.
• Control underlying diseases and follow your doctor's recommendations for treatments and medications.
• Take breaks and avoid long periods of inactivity or immobility.

Used sources and literature

Eyre AJ. Weakness. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 9.

Fearon C, Murray B, Mitsumoto H. Disorders of upper and lower motor neurons. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff’s Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 97.

Selcen D. Muscle diseases. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 393.