Weakness in the body
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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The condition, defined as weakness in the body, is medically related to both loss of muscle strength, and a sense of lack of energy, a decrease in vitality and general fatigue.
Is there an unreasonable weakness in the body? Doctors say that this can not be, and even in the absence of a true loss of strength of the muscular system, this condition - as a complex of symptoms - is familiar to people suffering from a wide range of diseases.
Causes of the weakness in the body
It is important to know precisely the causes of weakness in the body: either the lack of physical strength and the sense of the need for additional effort to perform everyday functions, or exhaustion or lack of energy. So, the non-pathological short-term weakness in the body, called physiological reactive asthenia, is caused by overwork, stress, or lack of sleep. Virtually all have weakness in the body after the disease (also physiological) - during the recovery of forces mobilized to fight the body with infection, inflammation, traumatic injury or somatic disease. And the muscles weaken with prolonged bed rest.
Lack of nutrients with constant malnutrition (or infatuation with improper diets for weight loss) causes not only general weakness, but can lead to the development of alimentary dystrophy.
Weakness and a feeling of increased fatigue are the symptoms that occur when: anemia (low hemoglobin level in the blood); deficiency of iron or vitamin D; low blood sugar (hypoglycemia); electrolyte imbalance (decrease in potassium and sodium in the blood); intestinal disorders; food allergic reactions.
Weakness in the body manifests itself in cases of the syndrome of chronic fatigue (arising due to oxidative stress and changes in muscle excitability); depression and generalized anxiety disorder; acute polyradiculoneuritis (Guillain-Barre syndrome); malignant tumor formations of different localization; leukemia (in childhood - acute lymphoblastic leukemia).
Weakness in the body is accompanied by such chronic diseases as hypothyroidism (insufficient production of thyroid hormones, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis) or hyperthyroidism; diabetes; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; insufficiency of the adrenal cortex (Addison's disease); polymyositis (inflammation of muscle fibers); systemic lupus erythematosus; multiple sclerosis; amyloidosis; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease); rhabdomyolysis (muscle destruction); myasthenia gravis; various myopathies.
Causes of weakness in the body can be associated with infectious diseases: colds and flu (and other respiratory diseases); chicken pox; infectious mononucleosis; hepatitis; intestinal rotavirus infection; malaria and hemorrhagic fever; encephalitis and meningitis; poliomyelitis; HIV.
Dangerous causes of weakness in the body: atrial fibrillation, transient ischemic attacks or stroke; acute dehydration of the body during poisoning; kidney failure; violation of cerebral circulation in stroke and brain trauma; pulmonary embolism; bleeding; botulism; sepsis.
The emergence of general weakness can cause certain medications; in particular, the signs of iatrogenic asthenia come from the use of opioid analgesics, tranquilizers, systemic corticosteroids, statins, cytostatics, muscle relaxants, etc.
[Pathogenesis
It is clear that the pathogenesis of weakness in the body directly depends on the disease or condition at which this symptom is noted.
Thus, weakness in the body and drowsiness in pregnancy, as well as weakness in the body and nausea in pregnant women - a consequence of increased levels of progesterone and estrogen, providing the process of bearing a child and adapting to it the female body. Weakness during pregnancy can be associated with the manifestation of vascular dystonia, and the pathogenesis of the VSD lies in the disorders of the autonomic nervous system.
Specialists note a special role in the development of such conditions as dizziness and weakness, as well as headache and weakness in the body, nonspecific hyposthenic disorders due to various obscheomatic and neurological factors. Weakness in the body without temperature is a characteristic component of conditions in anemia, hypoglycemia, depression, anxiety disorders.
Weakness in the body and diarrhea in intestinal disorders are caused by the toxic effect of pathogens, the products of vital activity that enter the bloodstream and cause intoxication. Such a mechanism of development plus dehydration of the body causes weakness in the body after poisoning.
Paresthesia, trembling in the body and weakness in patients with multiple sclerosis or other myelinopathies (Binswanger's, Devick's, etc.) is the result of the destruction of the myelin sheaths of the nerves of the central or peripheral nervous system. Myopathies are congenital (when the mutated gene is inherited), metabolic (due to maltase deficiency, alpha-1,4-glucosidase or carnitine), and may also occur with a thymus tumor. Muscular weakness of anxiety is a consequence of impaired activation of the hormonal response to stress. And weakness in the whole body with Addison's disease is caused by damage to the adrenal cortex and a decrease in the synthesis of endogenous glucocorticoids, which is also genetically determined, autoimmune, hypoplastic, malignant or iatrogenic.
What are the potential consequences and complications of weakness? If weakness is associated with serious illnesses, a lack of diagnosis and adequate therapy can lead to its progression with possible irreversible damage and dysfunction of individual organs and systems.
Symptoms of the weakness in the body
As the first signs of weakness, doctors consider patients' complaints that there is no strength in ordinary cases, there is sluggishness and weakness in the body in the mornings, and by the evening a person simply "falls down." Other symptoms include excessive sweating, loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, and problems with falling asleep.
When combined with symptoms such as fever, body aches and weakness, there is a presumption of infection, that is, a common infectious intoxication of the body. To the influenza-like symptoms, sore throat, headache, cough, rhinitis. With kidney infection (pyelonephritis), pain in the lumbar region, clouding of urine and hematuria are noted. And any, including food poisoning manifests itself as weakness in the body and nausea, as well as weakness in the body and diarrhea (diarrhea).
The pronounced weakness in the body with VSD is accompanied by a decrease in blood pressure; chill, followed by paroxysmal hyperhidrosis (increased sweating); lethargy in the morning; frequent headaches, which are preceded by mild nausea; heart palpitations. Also VSD can manifest paresthesia (a feeling of numbness and tingling in the fingers), muscle weakness in the arms and legs, dizziness when the body position changes.
In myelinopathies, the first signs include increased fatigue and dizziness, impaired coordination of movements with gait changes.
Weakness can accompany many other symptoms that vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Physical symptoms that can occur along with weakness: ringing in the ears, spasms and abdominal pain, muscle pain, loss of appetite, increased thirst.
Special attention is required for serious symptoms, which can indicate a life-threatening condition and the need for emergency care. These include: severe chest pain, pain in the abdominal cavity, pelvis or lower back; high body temperature (above + 38.7 ° C); incontinence of urine or feces; repeated vomiting; inability to stand; sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body; severe headache and weakness in the body; sudden deterioration of vision; Inaudible speech or difficulty swallowing; a change in consciousness or an unconscious state.
Diagnostics of the weakness in the body
Diagnosis of weakness in the body should be carried out not only on the basis of complaints and physical examination of patients.
To clarify the cause of weakness in the body, blood tests (for ESR, hemoglobin level, sugar, immune bodies, thyroid hormones, electrolytes, bilirubin, etc.) help, urine analysis. It may be necessary to study the cerebrospinal fluid (a sample of which is taken by epidural puncture), a biopsy of the muscle tissue.
Instrumental diagnostics can include: radiography, ultrasound, electrocardiography, electroneuromyography, examination of nerve conduction, CT and MRI (including the spine and brain), measurement of central venous pressure (for cardiac problems).
Diagnostic examination can be focused on the heart, lungs, and thyroid gland. If there is a local area of weakness, the examination will focus on the nerves and muscles.
Differential diagnosis
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Treatment of the weakness in the body
With temporary physiological reactive asthenia, and when weakness in the body arose after the illness, doctors recommend full nutrition, sleep and take vitamins. In the same way, weakness during pregnancy is also monitored.
When anemia (low hemoglobin), iron-containing medicines are needed: Iron lactate (twice a day, before meals); Ferramid, Ferroplex, Sorbifer, Aktiferrin, etc. - in a similar dosage.
Medicamental treatment of weakness in the body is aimed at the cause of this condition - infectious, metabolic, somatic or neurologic disease, and the doctor prescribes the necessary medications, based on a specific diagnosis. These can be antibiotics, corticosteroids, cytostatics, anticholinesterase or adrenomimetic drugs. With genetically determined and autoimmune pathologies, drugs are used to reduce symptoms.
Weakness in the body with VSD is treated with adaptogenic tinctures of Chinese magnolia vine, echinacea purpurea, extract of Eleutherococcus spiny. It is recommended to take tincture of ginseng at 18-20 drops twice a day. This tincture is not used to treat pregnant women and children under 12 years old, with increased blood pressure and poor blood clotting. The drug can cause tachycardia and headache.
More information in the material - Drugs that improve performance, and - What to do at low pressure
If an autoimmune myasthenia gravis is diagnosed, the anticholinesterase drug Pyridostigmine (Kalimin, Mestinon) is used - one dragee (60 mg) up to three times a day. This drug is contraindicated for spasms of the gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract, bronchial asthma, thyrotoxicosis and Parkinson's disease. And its side effects can be manifested by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lowering blood pressure and heart rate, as well as hyperhidrosis and seizures.
With weakness in the body due to progressive multiple sclerosis, β-interferon, cytostatics (Natalizumab), immunomodulating agent Glatiramer acetate (Axoglatiran, Copaxon) can be used. Dosage Glatiramer acetate - 20 ml under the skin, injection once a day. Use of this medication is accompanied by side disturbances of the heart rhythm and chest pain, increased blood pressure, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, fainting.
When weakness causes myelinopathy (polyneuropathy), prescribe B vitamins, and (except for pregnant women and patients under 18 years of age) - metabolic drugs of alpha-lipoic (thioctic) acid - Oktolipen (Tioctacid, Berlition and other trade names): 0, 3-0.6 g once a day, half an hour before meals. Among the side effects of this remedy are nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, a change in taste, dizziness, sweating.
Depending on the diagnosis, physiotherapy can be used: massage, electrophoresis, diadynamic currents, electrosleep, darsonvalization, hydrotherapy (therapeutic baths, shower-massage), balneotherapy (hydrogen sulphide and sulfide waters). See also - Physiotherapy for vegetative-vascular dystonia
Homeopathy offers to treat weakness in the body with Phosphoric acid and Phosphorus, Gelsemium, Nux vomica, Ignatia, Sarcolacticum folium, Onosmodium.
Alternative treatment
Alternative treatment of general weakness suggests drinking a decoction of rose hips, birch sap, taking mummies.
Mumiye increases vitality and immunity of the body and is considered a means of choice to combat weakness in the body. Once a day (for at least two months), the tablet of the chemist's purified mummy is dissolved in half a glass of warm water and drunk 30-40 minutes before a meal.
Herbal treatment includes daily use of decoction of red clover flowers (tablespoon per cup of boiling water): drink half a cup twice a day. In the same way, it is recommended to take infusion or tea from the kaprenia of the narrow-leaved (willow-tea), the leaves of ginkgo biloba, the root of licorice naked (liquorice).
In addition - to recharge and restore strength - alternative treatment recommends including in your diet eggs, milk, honey, bananas, seasonal fruits and berries. Eggs are rich in protein, iron, vitamin A, riboflavin, pantothenic and folic acid (enough to eat one egg a day).
Milk is considered a good source of calcium and vitally important B vitamins. And whenever you feel weak in the body, drink a cup of warm milk with a teaspoon of honey. In addition, it is useful once a day to drink milk with boiled figs (in 250 ml of milk for a few minutes to cook two or three figs).
Bananas are an excellent source of fructose and glucose (energy sources) and potassium, helping to convert glucose into energy.
Strawberries (strawberries) - low-calorie supplement to a healthy diet, replenishing the body with antioxidant vitamin C, iron, manganese, iodine and fiber.
Prevention
Is it possible to prevent weakness in the body? Go back to the section Causes of weakness in the body: with this (far from complete) list of causes, the problematic nature of preventive measures becomes immediately apparent. True, you can prevent fatigue, lack of sleep, partly stress, anemia, cold and flu ...
Forecast
No one will take a prognosis for the development of this condition in case of general and neurological diseases.