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General Weakness
  Weakness, General
 Signs, symptoms, indicators
 Contributing risk factors
 Conditions suggested by it
 Treatment recommendations
 


Weakness and fatigue are terms that are often interchanged but in fact describe two different sensations. It is important to know exactly what you mean when you say, "I feel weak" or "I am fatigued" because it can help you and your health professional narrow down the possible causes of your symptoms. Weakness is a lack of physical or muscle strength and the feeling that extra effort is needed to perform daily activities that require you to move your arms, legs, or other muscles. Fatigue is a feeling of tiredness, exhaustion, or lack of energy.

Both weakness and fatigue are symptoms - not diseases. Because these symptoms can be caused by many other health problems, the importance of weakness and fatigue can only be determined when other symptoms are evaluated.

Causes & Development


General weakness often occurs after you have overexerted yourself, such as by taking an extra-long hike. You may feel weak and tired or your muscles may be sore. These sensations usually clear up within a few days. Rarely, generalized muscle weakness may be caused by another health problem, such as:Seek medical attention if
Muscle weakness that is getting progressively worse requires a visit to a health professional. Sudden muscle weakness and loss of function in one area of the body can indicate a serious problem within the brain (such as a stroke or transient ischemic attack) or spinal cord or with a specific nerve in the body.





Signs, symptoms & indicators of General Weakness:
Symptoms - General  General weakness (confirmed)

Risk factors for General Weakness:
Autoimmune  Multiple Sclerosis

Diet

  Effects of a Low Carbohydrate Diet
 Gradually increasing weakness is a sign of ketosis. The May 2004 Annals of Internal Medicine study showed that most of the Atkins Dieters suffered significantly more general weakness.

  Dehydration
 A loss of 4-5% of body weight of fluid decreases the capacity for hard muscular work by 20-30%.

  Excess Water Consumption

Environment / Toxicity

  Magnesium Toxicity
  Electrical Hypersensitivity

Hormones

  Hyperparathyroidism

Infections

  Yeast / Candida Infection

Mental

  Stress

Metabolic

  Hypoglycemia
  Aspartame Side-Effects

Organ Health

  Hepatitis

Tumors, Malignant

  Brain Tumor

Uro-Genital

  Andropause/Male Menopause
 The sensation of weakness, especially muscle weakness, may be due to the loss of muscle mass seen in andropause.

General Weakness suggests the following may be present:
Autoimmune  Multiple Sclerosis

Diet

  Effects of a Low Carbohydrate Diet
 Gradually increasing weakness is a sign of ketosis. The May 2004 Annals of Internal Medicine study showed that most of the Atkins Dieters suffered significantly more general weakness.

Environment / Toxicity

  Electrical Hypersensitivity
  Magnesium Toxicity

Hormones

  Hyperparathyroidism

Laboratory Test Needed

  Liver Function That Should Be Checked

Organ Health

  Hepatitis

Tumors, Malignant

  Brain Tumor

Recommendations and treatments for General Weakness:
DietNot recommended:
  Therapeutic Fasting
 Fasting should not be employed if a general weakness exists due to malnutrition.

Mineral

  Potassium
 Sometimes weakness may be improved by potassium consumption, when dietary potassium is low.


KEY
Weak or unproven link
Strong or generally accepted link
Proven definite or direct link
May do some good
May have adverse consequences


GLOSSARY

Hyperthyroidism (Hyperthyroid)
An abnormal condition of the thyroid gland resulting in excessive secretion of thyroid hormones characterized by an increased metabolism and weight loss.

Hypothyroidism (Hypothyroid)
Diminished production of thyroid hormone, leading to low metabolic rate, tendency to gain weight, and sleepiness.

Ischemia (Ischemic)
Localized tissue anemia due to obstruction of the inflow of arterial blood. A decrease in the blood supply to a bodily organ, tissue, or part caused by constriction or obstruction of the blood vessels.

Potassium
A mineral that serves as an electrolyte and is involved in the balance of fluid within the body. Our bodies contain more than twice as much potassium as sodium (typically 9oz versus 4oz). About 98% of total body potassium is inside our cells. Potassium is the principal cation (positive ion) of the fluid within cells and is important in controlling the activity of the heart, muscles, nervous system and just about every cell in the body. Potassium regulates the water balance and acid-base balance in the blood and tissues. Evidence is showing that potassium is also involved in bone calcification. Potassium is a cofactor in many reactions, especially those involving energy production and muscle building.

Stroke (Stroke-Type Event)
A sudden loss of brain function caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel that supplies the brain, characterized by loss of muscular control, complete or partial loss of sensation or consciousness, dizziness, slurred speech, or other symptoms that vary with the extent and severity of the damage to the brain. The most common manifestation is some degree of paralysis, but small strokes may occur without symptoms. Usually caused by arteriosclerosis, it often results in brain damage.

Syndrome
A medical condition characterized by a collection of related symptoms (what the patient feels) and signs (what a doctor can observe or measure).




Last updated: Apr 13, 2008


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