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WeaknessBrainSpinalCordandNerveDisordersMSDManualConsumerVersion
MSD Manuals
CONSUMER VERSION
Weakness
byMichaelC.Levin,MD
Weaknessreferstolossofmusclestrength.Thatis,peoplecannotmoveamusclenormally
despitetryingashardastheycan.However,thetermisoftenmisused.Manypeoplewith
normalmusclestrengthsaytheyfeelweakwhentheyfeeltired(seeFatigue)orwhentheir
movementislimitedbecauseofpainorjointstiffness.
Forapersontointentionallymoveamuscle(calledavoluntarymusclecontraction),thebrain
mustgenerateasignalthattravelsapathwayfrom
Thebrain
Throughnervecellsinthebrainstemandspinalcord
Throughnervesfromthespinalcordtothemuscles(calledperipheralnerves)
Acrosstheconnectionbetweennerveandmuscle(calledaneuromuscularjunction)
Also,theamountofmuscletissuemustbenormal,andthetissuemustbeabletocontractin
responsetothesignalfromthenerves.Therefore,trueweaknessresultsonlywhenonepartof
thispathwaybrain,spinalcord,nerves,muscles,ortheconnectionsbetweenthemis
damagedordiseased.
Weaknessmaydevelopsuddenlyorgradually.Weaknessmayaffectallofthemusclesinthe
body(calledgeneralizedweakness)oronlyonepartofthebody.Forexample,dependingon
wherethespinalcordisdamaged,spinalcorddisordersmaycauseweaknessonlyofthelegs.
Symptomsdependonwhichmusclesareaffected.Forexample,whenweaknessaffectsmuscles
ofthechest,peoplemayhavedifficultybreathing.Whenweaknessaffectsmusclesthatcontrol
theeyes,peoplemayhavedoublevision.Completemuscleweaknesscausesparalysis.People
mayhaveothersymptomsdependingonwhatiscausingtheweakness.Weaknessisoften
accompaniedbyabnormalitiesinsensation,suchastingling,apinsandneedlessensation,and
numbness.
Causes
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Becausemalfunctioninthesamepartofthesignalpathwaycausessimilarsymptomsregardless
ofcause,themanycausesofmuscleweaknessareusuallygroupedbythelocationofthecause
(seeTable:SomeCausesandFeaturesofMuscleWeakness).Thatis,causesaregroupedas
thosethataffectthebrain,spinalcord,peripheralnerves,muscles,orconnectionsbetween
nervesandmuscles.However,somedisordersaffectmorethanonelocation.
Commoncauses
Causesdifferdependingonwhetherweaknessisgeneralizedoraffectsonlyspecificmuscles.
Themostcommoncausesofgeneralizedweaknessare
Adecreaseingeneralphysicalfitness(calleddeconditioning),whichmayresultfrom
illnessand/oradecreaseinphysicalreserves(frailty),suchasmusclemass,bonedensity,
andtheheart'sandlungs'abilitytofunction,especiallyinolderpeople
Lossofmuscletissue(wasting,oratrophy)duetolongperiodsofinactivityorbedrest,as
occursinanICU
Damagetonervesduetoasevereillnessorinjury,suchassevereorextensiveburns
Certainmuscledisorders,suchasthoseduetoalowlevelofpotassium(hypokalemia),
consumptionoftoomuchalcohol,oruseofcorticosteroids
Drugsusedtoparalyzemusclesforexample,tokeeppeoplefrommovingduringsurgery
orwhileonaventilator
Themostcommoncausesofweaknessinspecificmusclesare
Strokes(themostcommoncauseofweaknessaffectingonesideofthebody)
Apinchednerve,asoccursincarpaltunnelsyndrome
Arupturedorherniateddiskinthespine
Pressureon(compressionof)thespinalcord,ascanresultfromcancerthathasspreadto
thespinalcord
Multiplesclerosis
Lesscommoncauses
Manyotherconditionssometimescauseweakness(seeTable:SomeCausesandFeaturesof
MuscleWeakness).Forexample,electrolyteabnormalities(suchasalowlevelofmagnesiumor
calcium)cancauseweaknessthatsometimescomesandgoes,aswellasmusclecrampingand
twitches.
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Fatigue
Manypeoplereportweaknesswhentheirproblemisactuallyfatigue(Fatigue).Common
causesoffatigueincludeasevereillness,cancer,achronicinfection(suchasHIVinfection,
hepatitis,ormononucleosis),heartfailure,anemia,chronicfatiguesyndrome,fibromyalgia,
andmooddisorders(suchasdepression).
Evaluation
First,doctorstrytodeterminewhetherpeopleareweakorsimplytired.Ifpeopleareweak,
doctorsthendeterminewhethertheweaknessissevereenoughorworseningquicklyenoughto
belifethreatening.
Warningsigns
Inpeoplewithweakness,thefollowingsymptomsarecauseforconcern:
Weaknessthatdevelopsoverafewdaysorless
Difficultybreathing
Difficultyraisingtheheadwhilelyingdown
Difficultychewing,talking,orswallowing
Lossoftheabilitytowalk
Whentoseeadoctor
Peoplewhohaveanywarningsignshouldgotoanemergencydepartmentimmediately.
Immediatemedicalattentioniscrucialbecauseweaknessaccompaniedbyawarningsigncan
worsenquicklyandcausepermanentdisabilityorbefatal.Peoplewithoutwarningsignsshould
calltheirdoctor.Thedoctorcandecidehowquicklytheyneedtobeseenbasedontheir
symptomsandotherdisorderstheyhave.Formostofthesepeople,adelayofafewdaysisnot
harmful.
Iftheweaknessworsensgradually(overmonthstoyears),peopleshoulddiscusstheproblem
withtheirdoctorattheirnextroutinevisit.
Whatthedoctordoes
Doctorsfirstaskquestionsabouttheperson'ssymptomsandmedicalhistory.Doctorsthendoa
physicalexamination.Whattheyfindduringthehistoryandphysicalexaminationoften
suggestsacauseandtheteststhatmayneedtobedone(seeTable:SomeCausesandFeatures
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ofMuscleWeakness).
Doctorsaskpeopletodescribeindetailwhattheyareexperiencingasweakness.Doctorsask
Whentheweaknessbegan
Whetheritbegansuddenlyorgradually
Whetheritisconstantorisworsening
Whichmusclesareaffected
Whetherandhowtheweaknessaffectstheabilitytodocertainactivities,suchas
breathing,brushingtheirteethorhair,speaking,swallowing,standingupfromaseated
position,climbingstairs,andwalking
Whethertheyhaveothersymptomsthatindicatemalfunctionofthenervoussystem,such
asspeechorvisionproblems,lossofsensationormemory,orseizures
Whatseemstobesuddenweaknessissometimesgradualweakness,butpeopledonotnoticeit
untiltheycannolongerdosomething,suchaswalkingortyingtheirshoes.
Basedonthedescriptionofweakness,doctorscanoftenidentifythemostlikelycauses,asfor
thefollowing:
Amuscledisorder:Weaknessbeginninginthehipsandthighsortheshoulders(thatis,
peoplehavedifficultystandinguporliftingtheirarmsoverhead)andnoeffecton
sensation
Aperipheralnervedisorder:Weaknessbeginninginthehandsandfeet(thatis,people
havedifficultyliftingacup,writing,orsteppingoveracurb)andlossofsensation
Doctorsalsoaskaboutothersymptoms,whichmaysuggestoneormorepossiblecauses.For
example,ifpeoplewithbackpainandahistoryofcancerreportweaknessinaleg,thecause
maybecancerthathasspreadandputpressureonthespinalcord.
Peopleareaskedaboutsymptomsthatsuggestfatigueoranotherproblem,ratherthantrue
muscleweakness.Peoplewithtruemuscleweaknessoftenreportdifficultydoingspecifictasks,
andtheweaknessfollowsapattern(forexample,becomesworseafterwalking).Fatiguetends
tocausemoregeneralsymptomsanddoesnotfollowaparticularpattern.Thatis,itispresent
allthetimeandaffectsthewholebody.Doctorsaskaboutrecentorcurrentdisordersthat
commonlycausefatigue,suchasanyrecentsevereillnessoramooddisorder(suchas
depression).
Doctorsaskaboutpastandcurrentuseofdrugs,includingalcoholandrecreationaldrugs.
Whetherfamilymembershavehadsimilarsymptomscanhelpdoctorsdeterminewhetherthe
causeishereditary.
Duringthephysicalexamination,doctorsfocusonthenervoussystem(neurologicexamination
seePhysicalExamination)andmuscles.Doctorstestthecranialnerves(whichconnectthe
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brainwiththeeyes,ears,face,andvariousotherpartsofthebody),forexample,bychecking
eyemovements,theabilitytospeakclearly,andtheabilitytorotatethehead.
Doctorsobservehowthepersonwalksandcheckforothersignsthatthenervoussystemis
malfunctioning,suchaslossofcoordinationorsensation.Musclesarecheckedforsizeand
unusualunintendedmovements(suchasinvoluntarytwitchesandshaking).Doctorsnotehow
smoothlymusclesmoveandwhetherthereisinvoluntaryresistancetomovement(detected
whendoctorstrytomoveamusclethattheyhaveaskedthepersontorelax).
Reflexesarechecked.Reflexesareautomaticresponsestoastimulus.Forexample,doctors
testthekneejerkreflexbygentlytappingthemuscletendonbelowthekneecapwitharubber
hammer.Normally,thekneethenjerksinvoluntarily(seeReflexes).Thisevaluationhelps
doctorsidentifywhichpartofthenervoussystemisprobablyaffected,asforthefollowing:
Thebrainorspinalcord:Ifreflexesareveryeasytotriggerandarestrong
Thenerves:Ifreflexesarehardtotriggerandaresloworabsent
Musclestrengthistestedbyaskingthepersontopushorpullagainstresistanceortodo
maneuversthatrequirestrength,suchaswalkingontheheelsandtiptoesorstandingup.
Ageneralphysicalexaminationisdonetolookforothersymptomsthatmaysuggestacause,
suchasdifficultybreathing.
Generally,ifthehistoryandphysicalexaminationdonotdetectspecificabnormalitiesthat
suggestabrain,spinalcord,nerve,ormuscledisorder,thecauseislikelytobefatigue.
CommonFeatures*
Tests
Headaches,personalitychanges,confusion,difficulty
concentrating,drowsiness,lossofbalanceand
coordination,andparalysisornumbness
MRIorCTofthebrain
Braindisorders
Braintumors
Sometimesseizures
Usuallyothersymptomsofnervoussystemmalfunction
(suchaslossofsensation,lossofcoordination,and
visionproblems)
Multiplesclerosis(affectsthe
brain,spinalcordorboth)
Weaknessthat
Tendstocomeandgo
MRIofthebrain
Sometimesaspinaltap
(lumbarpuncture)
Sometimesaffectsdifferentpartsofthebody
Isworseinhotweather
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Symptomsthatoccursuddenly:
Weaknessorparalysis,usuallyononesideofthe
body
Abnormalitiesinorlossofsensationononeside
ofthebody
Stroke
Difficultyspeaking,sometimeswithslurred
speech
Adoctorsexamination
CTorMRIofthebrain
Confusion
Dimness,blurring,orlossofvision,particularly
inoneeye
Dizzinessorlossofbalanceandcoordination
Spinalcorddisorders
Acutetransversemyelitis
(suddenspinalcord
inflammation),oftendueto
Multiplesclerosis
Inflammationofblood
vessels
Tingling,numbness,andmuscleweaknessthat
Occurrapidly(overhourstoafewdays)
Startinthefeetandmoveupward
Usuallyabandliketightnessaroundthechestorabdomen
Oftendifficultypassingurine
MRIofthespinalcord
Aspinaltap
Certaininfectionssuchas Whenaninjuryissevere,lossofbowelandbladder
Lymediseaseorsyphilis controland/orreducedsexualresponse,including
erectiledysfunctioninmen
Compressionofthespinalcord
thatdevelopssuddenly(acute),as
mayresultfrom
Foracute,symptomsthatdevelopinhoursordays
Abscesses(pocketsof
pus)
Forchronic,symptomsthatarepresentforweeksto
months
Hematomas(pocketsof
blood)
Weaknessorparalysisofthelegsandsometimesarms
andlossofsensation
Injuriesoftheneckor
back
Withabscesses,infections,ortumors,tendernesstothe
touchoverthecompressedarea
MRIofthespinalcord
Somecancers
Compressionofthespinalcord
thatdevelopsslowly(chronic),as
mayresultfrom
Cervicalspondylosis
(degenerationofthe
vertebraldisksdueto
Whenaninjuryissevere,lossofbowelandbladder
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arthritis)
Spinalstenosis
(narrowingofthe
passagewayforthespinal
cord)duetoarthritis
controland/orreducedsexualresponse,including
erectiledysfunctioninmen
MRIofthespinalcord
Sometumors
UsuallyMRIorCTofthe
spinalcord
Compressionofaspinalnerve
rootbyaruptureddisk
Usuallyelectromyography
(stimulatingmusclesand
Weakness,numbness,orbothinonelegorarm
recordingtheirelectrical
Usuallybackorneckpainthatshootsdownthelegorarm activity)
Sometimesnerve
conductionstudies
(measuringhowfast
nervestransmitsignals)
Caudaequinasyndrome,caused
bypressureonseveralspinal
nerveroots,asmayresultfrom
Arupturedorherniated
disk
Spreadofcancertothe
spine
Weaknessinbothlegs
Lossoffeelingintheupperinnerpartofthethighs,the
buttocks,bladder,genitals,andtheareabetweenthem
(saddlearea)
MRIofthespinalcord
Usuallypaininthelowerback
Lossofbowelandbladdercontroland/orreducedsexual
response,includingerectiledysfunctioninmen
Usuallyothersymptomsofnervoussystemmalfunction
(suchaslossofsensation,lossofcoordination,and
visionproblems)
Multiplesclerosis(affectsthe
brain,spinalcord,orboth)
Weaknessthat
Tendstocomeandgo
MRIofthebrainand
spinalcord
Sometimesaspinaltap
Sometimesaffectsdifferentpartsofthebody
Isworseinhotweather
Disordersthataffecttheperipheralnervesandthebrainorspinalcord
Progressivemuscleweaknessthat
Oftenstartsinthehands
Sometimesaffectsonesidemorethantheother
Amyotrophiclateralsclerosis
(ALS)
Electromyographyand
sometimesnerve
conductionstudies
Clumsiness,involuntarymusclecontractions,andmuscle OftenMRIofthespinal
cordtoruleoutspinal
cramps
corddisordersthatcan
causesimilarsymptoms
Droolinganddifficultyspeakingandswallowing
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Asthedisorderprogresses,difficultybreathingand
eventuallydeath
Musclesthattireeasilyandprogressivemuscleweakness
Postpoliosyndrome
Sometimesmuscletwitchingandlossofmuscletissue
Inpeoplewhohavehadpolio
Electromyographyand
sometimesnerve
conductionstudies
Disordersthatsimultaneouslyaffectmanynerves(polyneuropathies)
Weaknessandoftenlossofsensationthat
GuillainBarrsyndrome
Usuallybegininbothlegs
Thenprogressupwardtothearms
Electromyographyand
nerveconductionstudies
Aspinaltap
Whensevere,difficultyswallowingandbreathing
Nervedamagecausedby
Excessiveuseofalcohol
Electromyographyand
nerveconductionstudies
Diabetes
Drugs(suchas
vincristine,cisplatin,or
statins)
Infections(suchas
diphtheria,hepatitisC,
HIVinfection,Lyme
disease,orsyphilis)
Sarcoidosis
Muscleweaknessthat
Oftenbeginsinbothfeet
Thenaffectsthehands
Thenprogressesupthelegsandarms
Severeillness(especially Lossofsensation,typicallybeforemusclesbecomeweak
intheintensivecareunit)
Toxicsubstances(suchas
leadormercury)
Othertestsdependingon
thedisordersuspected,
suchas
Urineteststo
checkfortoxins
Bloodteststo
checkforcertain
antibodiesorto
measuresugar,
vitamin,ordrug
levels
Sometimesa
spinaltap
Vitamindeficiency(such
asthiamin,vitaminB6 ,or
vitaminB12 deficiency)
Disordersthataffecttheconnectionsbetweennervesandmuscles(neuromuscularjunctiondisorders)
Botulism(duetothebacteria
Clostridiumbotulinum)
Atfirst,oftenadrymouth,droopingeyelids,vision
problems(suchasdoublevision),difficultyswallowing
andspeaking,andrapidlyprogressivemuscleweakness,
oftenbeginninginthefaceandmovingdownthebody
Bloodorstoolteststo
checkfortoxinsproduced
bythebacteria
Sometimes
Whencontaminatedfoodisthesource,nausea,vomiting, electromyographyor
examinationofastool
stomachcramps,anddiarrhea
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Nochangesinsensation
sampletocheckfor
bacteria
Myastheniagravis
Weakanddroopingeyelids,doublevision,difficulty
speakingandswallowing,andweaknessinthearmsand Useofadrug
(edrophoniumtest)tosee
legs
whetheritimproves
Excessiveweaknessofaffectedmusclesthat
musclestrengthafter
musclesareused
Occursaftermusclesareused
Bloodteststocheckfor
Disappearswhentheyarerested
certainantibodiesand/or
electromyography
Recurswhentheyareusedagain
Organophosphate(insecticide)
poisoning
Tearingoftheeyes,blurredvision,increasedsalivation, Adoctorsexamination
sweating,coughing,vomiting,frequentbowelmovements
Sometimesbloodteststo
andurination,andweakmusclesthattwitch
identifythetoxin
Disordersthataffectmuscles(myopathies)
Adoctorsexamination
Weaknessthattendstofirstcausedifficultyliftingthe
armsoverheadorstandingup
Stoppinganydrugthat
cancausemuscle
malfunction
Musclemalfunctionduetouseof
alcohol,corticosteroids,or
Sometimes
Useofadrugthatcancausemuscledamage
variousotherdrugs
electromyography
Whenduetouseofalcoholorcertainotherdrugs,muscle
Bloodteststomeasure
achesandpains
levelsofmuscleenzymes
thatleakfromdamaged
musclesintotheblood
Muscleachesandpainsthatareworsenedbymovement,
Viralinfectionsthatcausemuscle especiallywalking
inflammation
Sometimesfever,arunnynose,cough,sorethroat,and/or
fatigue
Sometimesonlya
doctorsexamination
Musclebiopsy(removal
ofapieceofmuscletissue
forexaminationundera
microscope)
Conditionsthatcausegeneralized
musclewasting:
Burns
Cancer
Lackofusedueto
prolongedbedrestor
immobilizationinacast
Lossofmuscletissue
Adoctorsexamination
Inpeoplewithobviousevidenceoftheproblem
Sepsis(infectionofthe
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bloodstream)
Starvation
Weaknessthat
Electrolyteabnormalities
(includingalowlevelof
potassium,magnesium,or
calcium)duetocertaindisorders
oruseofdiuretics
Affectsthewholebody
Maycomeandgo
Bloodteststomeasurethe
levelofpotassiumand
otherelectrolytes
Isoftenaccompaniedbymusclecrampingand
twitches
Athoroughfamilyhistory
todeterminewhetherany
Maystartduringinfancy,childhood,oradulthood familymembershavehad
asimilardisorder
Dependingonthetype,mayprogressrapidly,
Genetictesting
causingearlydeath
Progressivemuscleweaknessthat
Musculardystrophies
(suchasDuchennemuscular
dystrophyandlimbgirdle
musculardystrophy)
Musclebiopsy
Insometypes,anabnormallycurvedspine(scoliosis)
andweaknessofthespinalmuscles,whichoftendevelop
Xraysofthespineto
duringchildhood
checkforscoliosis
*Featuresincludesymptomsandresultsofthedoctor'sexamination.Featuresmentionedaretypicalbutnotalways
present.
Symptomsvarydependingonthelocation(level)ofthedamage.Areasthataresuppliedbythepartsofthespinalcord
belowthedamagedpartareaffected(seefigureonseeWhereIstheSpinalCordDamaged?).
Sensationisusuallynotaffected.
CT=computedtomographyMRI=magneticresonanceimaging.
Testing
Ifpeoplehavesevereorrapidlyprogressinggeneralizedweaknessoranyproblemsbreathing,
doctorsfirstdoteststoevaluatethestrengthoftherespiratorymuscles(pulmonaryfunction
testsseePulmonaryFunctionTesting(PFT)).Resultsofthesetestshelpdoctorsestimatethe
riskofsudden,severemalfunctionofthelungs(acuterespiratoryfailure).
Othertestingisdonebasedonwheredoctorsthinktheproblemis:
Abraindisorder:Magneticresonanceimaging(MRI)or,ifMRIisnotpossible,computed
tomography(CT)
Aspinalcorddisorder:MRIor,whenMRIisnotpossible,CTmyelographyand
sometimesaspinaltap(lumbarpuncture)
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Aperipheralnervedisorder(includingpolyneuropathies)oraneuromuscularjunction
disorder:Electromyographyandusuallynerveconductionstudies
Amuscledisorder(myopathy):Electromyography,usuallynerveconductionstudies,and
possiblyMRI,measurementofmuscleenzymes,musclebiopsy,and/orgenetictesting.
Occasionally,MRIisnotavailableorcannotbedoneforexample,inpeoplewhohavea
pacemaker,anotherimplantedmetaldevice,orothermetal(suchasshrapnel)intheirbody.In
suchcases,anothertestissubstituted.
ForCTmyelography,CTisdoneafteraneedleisinsertedintothelowerbacktoinjecta
radiopaquedyeintothefluidthatsurroundsthespinalcord.Forelectromyography,small
needlesareinsertedintoamuscletorecorditselectricalactivitywhenthemuscleisatrestand
whenitiscontracting.Nerveconductionstudiesuseelectrodesorsmallneedlestostimulatea
nerve.Thendoctorsmeasurehowfastthenervetransmitssignals.
Ifpeoplehavenosymptomsbesidesweaknessandnoabnormalitiesaredetectedduringthe
examination,testresultsareusuallynormal.However,doctorssometimesdocertainblood
tests,suchas
Acompletebloodcellcount(CBC)
Measurementoflevelsofelectrolytes(suchaspotassium,calcium,andmagnesium),sugar
(glucose),andthyroidstimulatinghormone
Erythrocytesedimentationrate(ESR),whichcandetectinflammation
Bloodtestsaresometimesdonetoevaluatekidneyandliverfunctionandtocheckforthe
hepatitisvirus.
Treatment
Ifthecauseisidentified,itistreatedifpossible.Ifweaknessbegansuddenlyandcauses
difficultybreathing,aventilatormaybeused.
Physicalandoccupationaltherapycanhelppeopleadapttopermanentweaknessand
compensateforlossoffunction.Physicaltherapycanhelppeoplemaintainandsometimes
regainstrength.
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olderpeoplestartoutwithlessmuscletissueandstrengthatthebeginningoftheillnessand
losemuscletissuemorequicklyduringtheillness.
Drugsareanothercommoncauseofweaknessinolderpeoplebecauseolderpeopletakemore
drugsandaremoresusceptibletosideeffectsofdrugs.
Whenevaluatingolderpeoplewhoreportweakness,doctorsalsofocusonconditionsthatdo
notcauseweaknessbutinterferewithbalance,coordination,vision,ormobilityorthatmake
movementpainful(suchasimpairedvisionorarthritis).Olderpeoplemaymistakenlydescribe
theeffectsofsuchconditionsasweakness.
KEY POINTS
Manypeoplemistakenlysaytheyfeelweakwhentheyreallymeantheyaretiredortheir
movementislimitedbecauseofpainand/orstiffness.
Truemuscleweaknessresultsonlywhenonepartofthepathwaynecessaryforvoluntary
musclemovement(frombraintomuscles)malfunctions.
Ifweaknessbecomessevereoverafewdaysorlessorifpeoplehaveanywarningsign(see
Warningsigns,theyshouldseeadoctorimmediately.
Often,doctorscandeterminewhethertheproblemistruemuscleweaknessandcan
identifythecausebasedonthepatternofsymptomsandresultsofthephysical
examination.
Physicaltherapyisusuallyhelpfulinmaintainingstrengthnomatterwhatthecauseof
weaknessis.
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