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Weakness Health Article

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Definition

Weakness is a reduction in the strength of one or more muscles.

Alternative Names

Lack of strength; Muscle weakness

Considerations

Weakness may be generalized (total body weakness) or localized to only one area, side of the body, limb, or muscle. Weakness is more notable when it is localized. Localized weakness may follow a stroke, flare up of multiple sclerosis, or injury to a nerve.

Weakness may be subjective or objective.

  • Subjective means you feel weak, but there is no measurable loss of strength. For example, you may feel weak if you have infectious diseases such as mononucleosis and the flu.
  • Objective means there is a measurable loss of strength noted during a physical exam.

Common Causes

Measurable weakness may result from a variety of conditions including metabolic, neurologic, primary muscular diseases, and toxic disorders.

METABOLIC

NEUROLOGIC

PRIMARY MUSCULAR DISEASES

TOXIC

OTHER

Home Care

Follow prescribed therapy for treating the underlying cause of the weakness.

Call your health care provider if

Call your doctor if you have:

  • Prolonged, unexplained weakness
  • Sudden weakness, particularly when it is in one area and not accompanied by other complaints, such as fever
  • Sudden weakness following a viral illness
  • Weakness in one area of the body

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Reviewer Info: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. ; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 08/08/2009
 
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