Weakness in arms and legs

Many people are familiar with this feeling: a sudden or growing weakness in the arms and legs, when the legs seem to be "poured with lead," and the hands can not hold even a cup of tea.

Most often, such a weakness is transient and disappears quickly enough without leaving a trace. But can you breathe a sigh of relief? Experts believe that the periodically arising weakness in the limbs can indicate quite serious problems in the body.

Causes of weakness in arms and legs

What are the causes of weakness in the arms and legs? This may be a sign of neurological disorders with impaired neural conduction of muscles or neuromuscular impulses. Weakness can be caused by a violation of metabolism or electrolyte balance, which happens when strict diets are observed and drinking regime disorders (with a lack of fluid in the body). Blame may be a violation of the liver, kidneys, digestive system, etc.

Weakness in the hands can mean the presence of:

• cervical osteochondrosis;
• cervical spondylosis;
• shoulder arthritis;
• traumatic or inflammatory lesion of the scapular, humeral, carpal zone.

Of course, this is not all the reasons that cause weakness in the hands, but the most common ones.

Weakness in the legs occurs with such diseases:

• lumbar hernia in the spine;
• lumbago;
• lumbar osteochondrosis;
• hormonal changes (during sexual development, on the eve of menstruation, during pregnancy, with menopause);
• endocrine diseases (diabetes, thyroid pathology);
• nervous stresses, experiences, chronic fatigue syndrome.

By the way, sometimes the reason is not one, but acts in conjunction with other factors. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose all possible pathologies.

[1], [2], [3], [4]

Weak muscles of the arms and legs

When complaining about the weakness of the muscles of the arms and legs, you first need to make sure that this symptom is the only one, or it is accompanied by pain, numbness, sensitivity disorders, etc. For example, arthritis, which is accompanied by weakness of the limbs, is almost always characterized by pain in the joints, and dermatomyositis - defeat of the skin.

The true weakness of the muscles, as a rule, arises symmetrically, it is not dependent on the presence of physical exertion. Most often, the weakness originates from the lower extremities, gradually shifting to the hands.

The weakness of muscles can be the result of many diseases and conditions of the body. Perhaps, most often this weakness indicates the following pathologies:

• on the deficiency of protein in the body;
• about inflammatory process in any organ;
• on the penetration of infection into the body;
• on the effects of toxic substances or poisoning;
• dehydration of the body;
• on the disorder of metabolism of electrolytes;
• about anemia or hypovitaminosis;
• about diabetes;
• diseases of the thyroid gland with metabolic disorders;
• about neurologic pathology;
• on the presence of rheumatoid arthritis;
• about improper use of some medications;
• about asthenic syndrome;
• about emotional overload and experienced stressful situations.

In any case, to determine the cause of the disease should consult a doctor, since treatment should be directed to the elimination of the underlying disease.

Weak left arm and leg

Usually, if there is weakness in the left arm and leg, first of all they suspect a stroke - an acute disorder of cerebral circulation. Indeed, a characteristic symptom of this pathology is the numbness of one half of the body, in this case the left one. This is quite probable, but not the only factor that can be expressed in the weakness of the limbs. So what else can cause this condition?

• vegetative vascular dystonia, obliterating endarteritis;
• cardiopathology (diseases of the heart and coronary vessels);
• disease of the left kidney, including the tumor process;
• disease of the spleen;
• obliterating atherosclerosis, or thromboangiitis;
• diseases of the spine, including curvature of the spine, protrusion of the disc, hernia, tumor process in the spine.

It is almost impossible to diagnose such diseases without special research methods. Therefore, the doctor must necessarily send the patient to a follow-up examination to pinpoint the possible cause of weakness of the left arm and leg. If you suspect a stroke, you need to see a doctor immediately.

Trembling in the hands and weakness in the legs

Trembling of the limbs is an involuntary frequent reduction of various groups of muscles in the arms or legs. The condition when hands are shaking and there is weakness in the legs is often and often not the result of any one reason. This condition is physiological, essential, parkinsonian and cerebellar. Let us consider these states in more detail.

• Essential tremor and muscle weakness can be hereditary, or can be associated with age. This pathology increases with motor activity: it is not dangerous, but it significantly affects the quality of life of the patient.
• Parkinsonian tremor and muscle weakness is usually present in Parkinson's disease and, as a rule, is accompanied by hypokinesia, or without it. Symptoms often occur in a state of rest.
• Cerebellar tremor and muscle weakness are observed in the defeat of the cerebellum, which controls the movements. This may be a manifestation of multiple sclerosis, congenital cerebellar ataxia, etc.
• Physiological trembling of the hands and weakness in the legs is the most common condition. It is associated with nervous overexcitation, anxiety, fear, overfatigue, hypothermia, withdrawal syndrome and certain diseases of the nervous and endocrine systems. Often, trembling in the hands and weakness in the legs appear after taking large doses of caffeine, or with prolonged exposure to the sun.

Numbness and weakness in the arms and legs

A condition in which a person feels weak and his arms and legs numb may become a sign of an impending cold or other infectious disease. Poor sleep, inadequate nutrition, overwork can also become indirect causes of this condition.

If numbness of limbs and weakness appear gradually, during a week or month and even a year, it is possible to suspect defeat of the brain or spinal cord, as well as the neuromuscular system. In such situations, a thorough examination is necessary, since all the reasons are serious enough and require obligatory medical supervision.

Numbness of the hands and feet in combination with weakness can be a sign of the disease of the musculoskeletal system: the spine, intervertebral discs, joints and bones. It can also be the result of a long back injury.

In addition, it is necessary to remember the most common reason leading to numbness and weakness of the extremities (usually one-sided) is a stroke. The stroke develops quite quickly, as a result of a violation of the integrity of the vascular wall or the cessation of blood flow in any of the vessels of the brain.

Sudden numbness of the hands and feet in combination with weakness, headache or dizziness is a characteristic sign of the brain disease. This is more than sufficient reason for immediate contact with a doctor.

Treatment of weakness in the arms and legs

With unexpected weakness in the arms and legs, the patient should lie down, ensuring the greatest possible peace and relaxation. It is necessary to lie down quietly or sit for about 15-20 minutes: as a rule, during this time the state should come back to normal.

In addition, it is good to drink a sedative, for example, an extract of valerian, novopassit, fitosed, etc.

In no case should you smoke, drink alcohol. It is recommended to brew a soothing tea or infusion with chamomile, mint, linden, honey. However, all these tips are only a temporary solution to the problem. This qualified treatment of weakness in the hands and feet should be prescribed by a doctor, depending on the underlying disease: neurologist, rheumatologist, endocrinologist, toxicologist or therapist.

In addition to the main treatment prescribed by the doctor, it is necessary to correctly review the regime of the day, allocating time for both work and leisure). Physical load must be present, but moderate, not debilitating. You should drink enough water, make sure that the food is full and contains a sufficient number of calories, corresponding to age and lifestyle.

In some cases, weakness in the hands and feet goes after acupuncture, manual therapy and massage, sessions of therapeutic hypnosis. Physiotherapy and sanatorium-and-spa treatment are shown.