What Could be Causing Loose Muscles?

What Causes Loose Muscles?

Loose muscles can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'worrying' to 'very serious'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose loose muscles, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "loose muscles" as a symptom. Here are four possibilities:

Neuritis/Neuropathy
Myasthenia Gravis
Nephrotic Syndrome
Premature Aging

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

slow reaction time

some health decline

edema of the hands

inability to tell hot from cold

increased skin wrinkling

loss of appetite

frequent odd skin sensations

severe loss of sensation

significant abdominal pain

cold weather muscle weakness

suspected myasthenia gravis

facial burning/tingling

... and more than 20 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of loose muscles:

Cause	Probability	Status
Nephrotic Syndrome	95%	Confirm
Premature Aging	18%	Unlikely
Myasthenia Gravis	0%	Ruled out
Neuritis/Neuropathy	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Muscular Symptoms section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about reduced muscle tone:

Has your muscle tone been declining? Low tone muscles are soft, loose and allow great range of motion; high tone muscles are tight, rigid and allow less motion at the joints.

Possible responses:

→ Don't know / I have always had soft/loose muscles
→ No, my muscles are still normal or high tone
→ Yes, my muscles are now a little softer and looser
→ Yes, my muscles are now very soft and loose

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate no loss of muscle tone, some loss of muscle tone or great loss of muscle tone, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Myasthenia Gravis

In cases of Myasthenia Gravis, a neurologist will often test reflexes, muscle strength, muscle tone, senses of touch and sight, coordination, and balance.

Nephrotic Syndrome

Over time, the loss of protein due to nephrotic syndrome causes muscles to become weak and small (muscle wasting).

Neuritis/Neuropathy

Loss of muscle tone is a common neuritis symptom: The affected nerve keeps the muscles from staying toned.

Premature/Signs of Aging

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™