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Weakness

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Weakness is usually defined as a lack of or decrease in muscle strength. It is different from fatigue, which is a loss of energy.

What is going on in the body?

Weakness can be used to describe a mental and physical state in which someone doesn't have the muscle strength, for example, to walk. It is common and sometimes difficult to evaluate. Weakness has many causes.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Weakness has many causes that are best grouped into these categories:

muscle problems, such as deconditioning or a lack of exercise, muscle injuries or inherited muscle defects, such as muscular dystrophy

nerve problems, possibly nerve damage from injury or from toxins such as lead poisoning or alcohol dependence

nerve damage such as diabetic neuropathy

vitamin deficiencies, such as lack of B1\ \B2\ \B6\ \pantothenic acid\ \folic acid\ \niacin\ \biotin\ Cobalamin is the general name for vitamin B12. ',CAPTION,'Vitamin B12');" onmouseout="return nd();">vitamin B12

spinal cord injuries or other disorders

salt imbalances, such as a low sodium level, called hyponatremia, or a high potassium level, called hyperkalemia

brain problems, such as a stroke or a condition called Parkinsonism, which affects the ability to move

autoimmune disorders, which occur when people's immune systems attack their own bodies for unknown reasons. Some examples are multiple sclerosis, which causes inflammation and damage to the brain and myasthenia gravis, which causes muscle weakness that often gets worse toward the end of the day

hormone imbalances, such as low thyroid hormone levels, called hypothyroidism, or low adrenal hormone levels, called hypoadrenalism

any infection, especially infectious mononucleosis, flu, poliomyelitis, Clostridium botulinum\. ',CAPTION,'Botulism in Adults and Children');" onmouseout="return nd();">botulism or pneumonia

any serious diseases, such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, chronic renal failure, or cancer

psychiatric conditions, especially depression

chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, two poorly understood conditions with no known cause that commonly make people feel weak and tired

Other causes are also possible. Sometimes, no cause is found.

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