If you have muscle pain or unhealthy conditions related to your muscle weakness, find out what exactly your symptoms are. In case, you have muscle weakness diseases, you will know how to improve your condition and enhance your health actively. Read this article to have an overview of muscle weakness diseases, disorders and treatment.

Muscle Weakness Diseases & Disorders: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

I. What Is Muscle Weakness

Muscle weakness is the lack of muscle or physical strength. This is also the result of a pain. Accordingly, fatigue is a feeling of exhaustion or tiredness and a need to take some rest caused by the lack of strength or energy.

Both fatigue and weakness are symptoms, not diseases. However, these symptoms may be caused by other health problems and diseases that we call them muscle weakness diseases and disorders. They include problems related to thyroid gland, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Guillain-Barré syndrome, low levels of sodium or potassium.

(Also on the VKool site: 16 foods to boost energy level, mood and fight fatigue)

If you have a sudden loss of the body function or sudden muscle weakness in a body part, you should meet your doctor to find out the cause of your disorders. In fact, the muscle weakness can indicate serious problems related to your brain, spinal cord, neurological diseases, dermatomyositis, muscular dystrophy, metabolic disorders (Addison’s disease), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, pinched nerve, myasthenia gravis, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, double vision, botulism, paralytic shellfish poisoning and drooping eyelids.

Depending on different causes of your muscle weakness, it can occur in a specific muscle area, a muscle group in the body, and it can be accompanied with different muscular signs and symptoms like atrophy, pain and cramping.

In some cases, the muscle weakness may happen suddenly on a side of the body as a stroke. If it comes along with abdominal pain, it may be a sign of botulism.

Seek a medical care if you have a sudden change in confusion, vision, loss of consciousness, abdominal pain, paralysis, severe headache and inability to move your body parts.

Here is the list of typical muscle weakness diseases and disorders that you can check to identify early sign of your health problems and be free from your muscle weakness faster.

• Muscular dystrophy
• Polyneuritis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Inclusion body myositis
• Polymyalgia rheumatica
• Osteomalacia
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Hypercortisolism
• Myasthenia gravis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Dermatomyositis

II. Symptoms Of Muscle Weakness Diseases And Disorders

Muscle weakness can accompany with some symptoms that vary depending on underlying disorders, diseases and conditions. Symptoms that affect muscles frequently may involve other body systems.

Muscle weakness can accompany symptoms that affect the muscles, including:

• Frequent episodes of falling
• Burning feeling
• Muscle spasms
• Loss of muscle coordination
• Paralysis
• Pain
• Twitching
• Pins-and-needles sensation

Other symptoms that come along with the muscle weakness, including:

• Difficulty with speaking or swallowing
• Blurred/double vision
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Fainting or lethargy or changing in level of consciousness
• Memory loss, gradual difficulty in speaking and walking

• Headache
• Nausea with vomiting or without vomiting
• Tingling in the arms and legs or numbness
• Hyperthyroidism symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, protruding eyes, heat intolerance, goiter and perspiration
• Multiple sclerosis symptoms such as numbness/tingling, weakness, vision problems, fatigue, depression and unsteady walk
• Unexplained weight loss

Serious symptoms and signs that indicate life-threatening conditions, including:

• Change in consciousness (alertness) such as non-reactivity to the light or unresponsiveness or passing out
•  Abnormal pupil size
• Inability to move the body part (paralysis)
• Abdominal cramps
• Loss of vision, eye pain and sudden change in vision
• Chronic headache

III. The Causes Of Muscle Weakness Diseases And Disorders

Muscle weakness diseases at first are caused by decreased muscle strength, a neurologic disorder, also muscular and metabolic dysfunctions.

See: How to increase your metabolism naturally

a. Some neurologic disorders leading to your muscle weakness include:

• Autoimmune nerve disorder
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• A pinched nerve
• A stroke
• Bell’s palsy
• Cerebral palsy
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Multiple sclerosis
• Nerve entrapment/compression

b. Metabolic causes of some muscle weakness diseases and disorders include:

• Addison’s disease
• Hyponatremia
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hyperparathroidism
• Hypokalemia
• Low sodium/potassium levels
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Ingestion of toxic substance: nerve gas, insecticides, paralytic shellfish poisoning
• Blood disorders: low blood sugar and anemia

c. Muscular causes of some muscle weakness diseases and disorders include:

• Dermatomyositis
• Muscular dystrophy
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

d. Toxics causing muscle weakness include:

• Insecticide ingestion
• Botulism
• Paralytic shellfish poisoning
• Nerve gas exposure

e. Other main causes of decreased muscle strength include:

• Anemia
• Overuse injury
• Polymyositis

f. Serious causes of muscle weakness include:

• Botulismm
• Stroke
• Transient ischemic

As the muscle weakness can lead to serious diseases, so, if the underlying causes of muscle weakness are diagnosed, follow a health care and plan reduce high risk of some potential complications such as:

• Paralysis
• Loss of mobility
• Permanent nerve damage
• Spread of infection
• Loss of the sensation

IV. Muscle Weakness Treatment

Treatment for muscle weakness is individualized basing on underlying causes, the medical history and the age of the patient, the severity of the patient’s muscle weakness and some other factors. In general, treatment for muscle weakness involves a multifaceted protocol in order to address cause, aid to build up strength as well as reduce the risk of the increased complications, like muscle atrophy, and assists the patient to live an active life.

Common treatment includes appropriate rest, nutrition, regular medical care, good hydration, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy and regular exercises. Besides, canes, orthopedic splints and crutches may be useful for supporting the patient’s weak muscles and improving their mobility.

In addition, corticosteroid medications can be prescribed to eliminate inflammation in nervous system such as Bell’s palsy, multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis. Generally, the treatment for muscle weakness caused by most bacterial infections including antibiotic medications.

To treat muscle weakness caused by anemia,they generally include the treatment of underlying conditions and blood transfusions.

To treat muscle weakness caused by dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, they generally include treatment for underlying conditions of electrolyte correction and rehydration with intravenous fluids or oral and electrolytes.

Below are more details of treatments of muscle weakness as well as muscle weakness diseases and disorders.

1. Supplements To Treat Muscle Weakness Diseases & Disorders

Some essential supplements such as magnesium, potassium, vitamin B12 and phosphorus are responsible for muscle pain and fatigue. By supplying your body with these supplements from different sources, you can increase your strength and get rid of muscle weakness fast.

Especially, you can add more foods rich in these nutrients, vitamins and minerals to your diet for improving your muscle weakness diseases and disorders.

2. Drugs & Medications To Treat Muscle Weakness Disease & Disorders

There are different types of medications and drugs produced to reverse your muscle weakness. Typically, you can make use of collagens in order to improve muscle weakness in individuals with myasthenia gravis.

On the other hand, you can take advantage of those in order to cure your muscle weakness.

3. Control Anxiety To Get Rid Of Muscle Weakness Diseases & Disorders

Your muscle weakness diseases and disorders can be caused by anxiety. So, to improve your condition, you should stop this root cause. Try to eliminate all stressful and anxious factors. Keep your mind relaxed and free. As a result, you will have good moods, balanced mind and fight off pain and improve your overall health.

Read more: 13 relaxation techniques for anxiety attacks and stress

4. Walk

Walking is a physical activity that can help you improve your blood flow and keep your muscle active. By taking appropriate walk everyday, you will be able to get rid of muscle weakness while preventing diseases related to your heart, mental health, and memory and so on.

5. Control Your Breath

Exactly I mean the breathing techniques. By controlling your breath, you will be able to reduce effects of hyperventilation. Make sure that you will have concentrated and slow breath that are not too deeply or quickly. Hold each of your breath about a few seconds for regaining carbon dioxide you have spent through the hyperventilation. Then breathe out slowly.

6. Distract Yourself Against Muscle Weakness

Yes! You can practice distracting yourself through phone calls, mental exercises, bath, music or anything you want to get rid of discomfort of your muscle weakness. Actually, this is a way to cheat your feelings due to adrenaline coursing in your vain, and some other ones are because of genuine tiredness that muscles feel after you got tension for a long time.

Rest and water are effective ways to get rid of the feelings of muscle weakness.

For instance, you can take a cold or warm bath if you feel tired and exhausted. Water will help you refresh your mind and feel more comfortable. As a result, you can get rid of pain and stress. You will feel more energy running in your muscles.

On the other hand, you can try music therapy in order to distract yourself against muscle weakness. You don’t need to listen to the song lyrics and repeat them. Just listen to music and make your brainwave work. At that time, your brain will focus on positive state and you will feel more energetic to forget your fatigue. In other words, listening to music is a way to cheat your mind for relaxation.

7. Drink Carrot Juice

As I mentioned above, water can help refresh your state. Drink cold water to boost your mind and awareness. In order to get rid of your muscle weakness diseases and disorder, do the same but add carrot juice.

This juice is proven to improve the blood circulation through your brain and body.

Physically, your stiffness and weakness can be caused by the lack of proper blood circulation. By drinking about just 12 oz. of carrot juice per day, you will be able to get rid of muscle weakness and other symptoms of muscle weakness diseases.

Read more: 28 health & beauty benefits of carrot

8. Eat Healthy Proteins

Next to diet tips to improve muscle weakness diseases and disorders, take healthy proteins to strengthen your health and get rid of fatigue fast.

There are different sources of healthy protein you can add to your daily diet such as nuts, yogurt and eggs. Some particular minerals and vitamins can strengthen your nervous system for muscle functions including amino acids, vitamin B complex, magnesium and calcium.

Also, don’t forget to eat more vegetables and fruits to detox your body and refresh your body naturally.

9. Supple Your Body With Lysine & Coenzyme Q10

Lysine is an essential amino acid that human body needs to improve bone health, connective tissue and cartilage. Muscle weakness irritability and fatigue are among symptoms of the lysine deficiency.

Besides, Coenzyme Q10 can aid in absorbing essential particular calcium, minerals and vitamins. So, in order to improve your muscle weakness diseases and condition, supply your body with coenzyme Q10 and Lysine. You can buy these supplements on drugs stores.

10. Drink Horsetail Tea

Besides the diet plan and some supplements for muscle weakness diseases and disorders, you can try horsetail tea. This herbal tea is considered a natural remedy to increase your muscle strength, as it is high in silica. This agent helps improve your mood and helps your muscles contract.

Simply, make a cup of hot horsetail tea and drink it daily for at least 2 months. Then, you will notice your improved muscle strength.

11. Stay Motivated

Exercising is a way to stay motivated. You can walk and run to increase the blood circulation for getting rid of muscle weakness diseases and disorders.

Besides, you can focus on your decreased muscle weakness in the body such as legs or hands or backs. Next, you will practice specific exercises and workout to strengthen the affected areas. For instance, beside walking or running, you can do exercises such as Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi or swimming.

 Related article: 19 ways on how to stay motivated

Recommended reading: Ultimate arm workout routine for bodybuilding

12. Do Lunge Exercise

Next to specialized exercises for increasing your muscle strength, you can try lunge exercise.

This exercise helps strengthen the muscles of your hips and upper leg.

Directions:

• Stand next to a sturdy chair with the feet about your shoulder-width apart.
• Then, hold the chair with the right hand to get balanced
• Next, take a big step forward with the right foot
• And bend the right knee, lower the hips toward on the ground
• Let the right knee stay above the right ankle when you lower
• Then, push against the ground with the right foot to raise up yourself
• Turn back to the beginning position
• Do it 10 times with the right leg for 1 set.
• Finally, rest for 2 minutes and repeat with the left leg

Notice:

• Don’t let the front knee move forward the toes
• Keep the upper body straight as well as erect through the workout
• Avoid leaning backward or forward
• Remember to lower the hips until the front thigh are parallel to the ground.

13. Practice Upright Row

Beside lunge exercise, you can try upright row to strengthen your muscle as well as get rid of muscle weakness diseases and disorders.

The aim of this exercise is to strengthen your upper back and arm muscles.

Directions:

• Stand with your feet about the hip-width apart by holding a dumbbell in the 2 hands
• Hold your dumbbells in front of the palms and thighs facing the thighs
• Next, bend the elbows and raise your dumbbells in front of yourself within 2 seconds until they are reaching your shoulder. Raise the elbows higher than your dumbbells
• Then, pause for a few second. Lower your dumbbells for 4 seconds

• Turn back to the beginning position
• Do it about 10 time for each se
• Take a rest, and then complete the next set.

Notice:

• Keep the back straight through this exercise

You may like reading: Middle back exercises for mass building

14. Increase Your Grip Strength

If you have weak hands, you should do this grip strength exercise to get rid of arthritis. This exercise helps improve your hand muscle strength while decreasing your hands’ stiffness.

This type of exercise is so simple. You can do it while watching TV or reading a book at home.

The equipment that you need to prepare can be a tennis ball, or a racquetball.

Directions:

• Grasp the ball with one of your two hands while you are standing or sitting.
• Squeeze it as tight as you can for 3 or 5 seconds.
• Next, switch your hand and do 2 sets of about 10 squeezes with that hand.
• Time to do this exercise is so short, about 5 minutes.
• Do it everyday that depending on your hand muscles and strength are improved.

If you feel painful or stiff, do it every other day or skip more than 1 day. then, repeat it until you are satisfied with your strengthen hand muscles.

15. Neck, Upper Back & Shoulder Stretch

This stretch targets the group of muscles that are particularly vulnerable to stress and tension on your back, shoulders and neck.

Do this stretch often each time you feel stiff while sitting in front of the computer. You will find it really rejuvenating.

Directions:

• Stand with the feet, shoulder-width apart
• Let the knees straight (but not locked)
• Let the hands clasped ahead
• Rotate the hands that allow the palms to face the floor
• Then raise the arms to the chest height
• Press the palms away from the body gently

• Just feel a stretch in the upper back, neck and along the shoulders
• Next, hold a stretch for 20 to 30 seconds, then breath out
• Finally stop the stretch

Notice:

• Avoid curving the back or arching it
• Breathe in and out properly through each stretch

16. Do Abdominal Curl

The type of exercise helps improve your abdominal muscle and the stability to your body. Strengthen this muscle group can also keep your posture.

Directions:

• Lie on the back on the ground
• Next, flat your feet and bend your knees on the ground
• Place the hands behind the head and your elbows pointing out
• Then, raise the shoulders slowly
• Let the upper back off on the ground for 2 seconds
• Pause here and lower the shoulders slowly back on the ground for 2 or 3 seconds
• Repeat this about 10 times for each set
• Take a short rest for 1 to 2 minutes
• Finally, complete the next set

Notice:

• Keep breathing during your movements
• Exhale when you raise
• Inhale when you lower
• Avoid pulling on the neck or head with the hands
• Keep the chin lifted toward and keep your elbows pointed out through this exercise

17. Do Chest Press

This workout aims to train your shoulder and chest muscles.

Directions:

• Lie on the back on the ground
• Let your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground
• Next, hold a dumbbell in one hand at your chest, about shoulder-width apart
• Bend your elbows and let the palms faces your knees
• Straighten the arms slowly toward the ceiling above the chest for 2 or 3 seconds
• Pause there, then lower the 2 dumbbells slowly back to the chest for 4 to 5 seconds
• Repeat this about 10 times for each set
• Next, take a rest for 3 or 3 minutes
• Then finish the second set

Notice:

• Directly raise the dumbbells to your chest
• Avoid moving the arms toward the head and the waist when you lift

Hope that this article helps you have an overview about muscle weakness diseases, disorders and treatment. For any feedback about it, please drop it into the comment box. Thanks for reading and see you in the next related posts!

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