brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Weakness
Causes of Weakness
Because malfunction in the same part of the signal pathway causes similar symptoms regardless of cause, the many causes of muscle weakness are usually grouped by the location of the cause (see table). That is, causes are grouped as those that affect the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles, or connections between nerves and muscles. However, some disorders affect more than one location. Causes differ depending on whether weakness is generalized or affects only specific muscles. Forgeneralized weakness,the most common causes are A decrease in general physical fitness (called deconditioning), which may result from illness and/or a decrease in physical reserves (frailty), such as muscle mass, bone density, and the heart's and lungs' ability to function, especially in older adults Loss of muscle tissue (wasting, or atrophy) due to long periods of inactivity or bed rest, as occurs in an intensive care unit (ICU) Damage to nerves due to a severe illness or injury, such as severe or extensive burns ( Hypokalemia (Low Level of Potassium in the Blood) ), consumption of too much alcohol, or use of corticosteroids Medications used to paralyze muscles—for example, to keep people from moving during surgery or while on a ventilator Forweakness in specific muscles,the most common causes are Overview of Stroke (the most common cause of weakness affecting one side of the body) Nerve damage, as occurs in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or results from injury A Herniated Disk in the spine Compression of the Spinal Cord , as can result from cancer that has spread to the spinal cord Multiple Sclerosis (MS) None ). For example, electrolyte abnormalities (such as a low level of Hypomagnesemia (Low Level of Magnesium in the Blood) or In people with a seizure disorder, one side of the body may become weak after a seizure stops (called Todd paralysis). The weakness usually subsides over several hours. A low blood sugar ( Hypoglycemia ) can also cause weakness, which resolves when hypoglycemia is treated. Many people report weakness when their problem is actually Fatigue . Common causes of fatigue include a severe illness, cancer, a chronic infection (such as Multiple sclerosis can cause fatigue that increases when people are exposed to heat and humidity. 