Why muscle weakness

Electrolytes help ensure that the muscles, nerves, heart, and brain all function correctly. Having altered levels of electrolytes — such as calcium , potassium , sodium, and magnesium — can cause muscle weakness. Diabetes occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or does not use insulin appropriately.

It can cause nerve damage that may result in muscle weakness. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes muscle pain and weakness in addition to other symptoms, such as:. Hypothyroidism , or an underactive thyroid, can cause muscle weakness and cramping. These symptoms may get worse with exercise and physical activity. Problems with kidney function can cause metabolic waste products, such as creatinine, to build up in the muscles.

This can result in muscle twitching and weakness. Sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy and insomnia , can result in daytime muscle weakness and fatigue. A person who needs to stay in bed due to a medical condition may also experience muscle weakness. This results from not using the muscles as regularly as usual.

A person may also be at risk of sleep problems. Some conditions that affect the nervous system can cause muscle weakness. Some of these conditions also go through stages of remission, when symptoms lessen or even disappear, before flaring up again. Is myopathy part of long-Covid? Clin Neurophysiol. Secondary myopathy due to systemic diseases. Acta Neurol Scand. Neuromuscular diseases associated with HIV-1 infection. Muscle Nerve. Signs and symptoms of untreated lyme disease. Updated January 15, Meningitis and encephalitis fact sheet.

What are the signs and symptoms of rabies? Updated June 11, Rheumatic fever: all you need to know. Updated November 1, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Syphilitic myelopathy. Toxoplasmosis: general FAQs. Updated September 3, Neuromuscular manifestations of west nile virus infection.

Front Neurol. Alcoholic myopathy: pathophysiologic mechanisms and clinical implications. Alcohol Res. The influence of iron deficiency on the functioning of skeletal muscles: experimental evidence and clinical implications. Eur J Heart Fail. Muscle weakness caused by cancer and chemotherapy is associated with loss of motor unit connectivity.

Am J Cancer Res. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Chronic fatigue syndrome. Diabetic amyotrophy. Neurologic signs and symptoms in fibromyalgia. Arthritis Rheum. Muscle atrophy in chronic kidney disease results from abnormalities in insulin signaling. J Ren Nutr. Harvard Medical School. Understanding narcolepsy. Updated February 21, Peripheral neuropathy fact sheet. Updated April 2, Human retrovirology: HTLV.

New York: Raven; The development of neurological disability occurs between the ages of 20 and 70, predominantly among women 1 1.

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. Gessain A, Cassar Olivier. Epidemiological aspects and world distribution of HTLV-1 infection. Front Microbiol. It may be considered a neglected disease 4 4. Casseb J. Five percent of HTLV-1 seropositive individuals develop neurological disorder 1 1. The disease is characterized by weakness and muscle spasticity in the lower limbs with insidious onset. Neurogenic bladder and bowel disorders, sexual dysfunction and back pain have been also reported 1 1.

Reduced muscle strength, spasticity, old age, back pain and long disease duration may interfere in the gait 5 5. Spinal Cord. Gessain A, Gout O. Ann Intern Med. Furthermore, measuring of spasticity, strength and power are crucial in identifying motor deficits and establishing the early physical therapy approach, which aim to manage ambulatory difficulties and avoid loss of quality of life and promote functional independence of these patients.

The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify the specific affected lower limb muscles and its impact on gait wheelchair vs. All were using medication for spasticity baclofen, 10 mg, 3 times a day for more than three months. The exclusion criteria included presence of pain or muscle retractions, spinal cord compression syndrome, cognitive impairment, co-infection with HIV, hepatitis C virus or syphilis, vitamin B12 deficiency, autoimmune diseases, hyperthyroidism and under any physical therapy treatment.

The institutional ethics committee approved this study. All the patients signed informed consent. Eleven lower limb muscles were evaluated. These included muscle of the hip joint flexors, extensors, abductors and adductors , knee joint flexors and extensors , ankle joint dorsalis flexor, plantar flexors and evertor and fingers joint finger extensors and extensor hallucis. Medical Research Council of the United Kingdom.

Aids to examination of the peripheral nervous system. Memorandum, n. Daniels L, Worthingham C. Muscle testing: techniques of manual examination.

Philadelphia: WB Saunders; Modified Ashworth scale. The spasticity was measured by modified Ashworth scale that involves manual movement of the limb through the range of motion ROM to passively stretch specific muscle groups.

The Barthel Index was used to evaluate 10 items regarding the capacity to conduce daily activities. Each item was measured in 0 to 5 or 10, and then the individual items were summed. In relation to the sum: 0 indicated total dependence; 5 to 25, severe dependence; 30 to 55 moderate dependence; 60 to 95 minimal dependence; and independence 12 Functional evaluation: Barthel index.

Md State Med J. The Short-form health survey 36 SF was used to evaluate the quality of life. It consists of 36 items organized in eight domains: D1 — physical functioning, D2 — role-physical functioning, D3 — bodily pain, D4 — general health, D5 — vitality, D6 — social functioning, D7 — role-emotional functioning and D8 — mental health.

Over-the-counter OTC pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen , can help manage pain associated with conditions such as:. Thyroid hormone replacement is used to treat hypothyroidism.

Standard treatment usually involves taking levothyroxine Levoxyl, Synthroid , which is a synthetic thyroid hormone. Changing your diet can help remedy electrolyte imbalances. Your healthcare provider may also suggest taking supplements, such as calcium , magnesium oxide , or potassium oxide depending on your needs.

Surgery may be used to treat certain conditions, such as a herniated disc or hyperthyroidism. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call or your local emergency services immediately:. Muscle fatigue is a symptom that decreases your muscles' ability to perform over time.

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