Weakness

Considerations:
Weakness is a very important symptom. The feeling of weakness may be subjective (the person feels weak but has no measurable loss of strength) or concrete (measurable loss of strength). Weakness may be generalized (total body weakness) or localized to a specific area, side of the body, limb, and so on.

A subjective feeling of weakness usually is generalized and associated with infectious diseases such as infectious mononucleosis and influenza .

Weakness is particularly important when it occurs in only one area of the body (localized or focal weakness). Localized weakness may follow a stroke , exacerbation of multiple sclerosis , or trauma to a motor nerve root or peripheral nerve.

Common Causes:
Measurable weakness may result from a variety of conditions including metabolic, neurologic, primary muscular diseases, and toxic disorders.
METABOLIC

NEUROLOGIC

PRIMARY MUSCULAR DISEASES

TOXIC

OTHER

Note: There may be other causes of weakness. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as location, quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for weakness, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.

Home Care:
Follow prescribed therapy for treating the underlying cause of the weakness.

Call Your Healthcare Provider If:

  • there is weakness confined to one area of the body.
  • there is prolonged, unexplained weakness or fatigue particularly if accompanied by other unexplained symptoms.



What to Expect:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting the weakness in detail may include:

  • time pattern
    • When did the weakness begin?
    • Did it begin with an illness or injury?
    • Did it occur suddenly or gradually?
    • Is the weakness worse in the morning or at night?
    • Is the weakness noticed only after strenuous activity or exercise ?

  • quality
    • Is the weakness constant or does it come and go?
    • Does the weakness affect breathing?
    • Does it affect talking, chewing, or swallowing?
    • Does it affect walking, climbing stairs, sitting, getting up?
    • Does it affect use of the hands, arms, or shoulders?
    • Is there pain with the weakness?
    • Is there numbness or tingling with the weakness?

  • location
    • Is the weakness limited to a specific area?
    • Has the area of weakness increased or decreased?

  • aggravating factors

  • relieving factors
    • Does anything help relieve the weakness?
      • rest
      • eating
      • pain relief

  • other symptoms

  • additional important information
    • What medications are being taken?
    • Are there any known allergies ?

Physical examination may include special attention paid to examination of heart, lungs, and thyroid gland. If there is localized weakness, the examination will focus on the nerve and muscle functions.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to weakness to your personal medical record.