Weakness (asthenia) is a symptom of countless conditions, ranging from common issues like anemia, diabetes, and hypothyroidism, to neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis (MS) or myasthenia gravis, chronic illnesses such as heart/lung disease or cancer, infections, nutritional deficiencies (e.g., B-12), sleep disorders, depression, and even medication side effects. It signifies a lack of muscle power or overall fatigue, often linked to nerve, muscle, or systemic body problems, and needs medical investigation for proper diagnosis.
Weakness
Myasthenia gravis is a rare long-term condition that causes muscle weakness. It most commonly affects the muscles that control the eyes and eyelids, facial expressions, chewing, swallowing and speaking. But it can affect most parts of the body.
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which antibodies destroy the communication between nerves and muscle, resulting in weakness of the skeletal muscles. Myasthenia gravis affects the voluntary muscles of the body, especially those that control the eyes, mouth, throat and limbs.
Various chronic conditions cause ongoing weakness. These include strokes, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscular dystrophy, concussions, diabetes, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, anemia, hypothyroidism, and more.
Several medical conditions can make a person feel weak, shaky, and tired. They include dehydration, irregular heart beat, Parkinson's disease, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Adrenal fatigue is a term used by some alternative health practitioners to explain tiredness and other symptoms. They believe these symptoms are caused by chronic (long-term) exposure to stressful situations. Many studies have failed to prove that adrenal fatigue is a medical condition.
Three key signs of Sjögren's syndrome are dry eyes, dry mouth, and profound fatigue, stemming from this autoimmune condition attacking moisture-producing glands, though other symptoms like joint pain, swollen glands, and systemic issues can also occur.
Autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can cause systemic inflammation and muscle weakness. Polymyositis and dermatomyositis are other examples of inflammatory muscle diseases that can lead to lower limb fatigue. Disorders like muscular dystrophy and ALS progressively affect muscle strength over time.
The "worst" autoimmune diseases are subjective but often cited for severity, impact on life expectancy, or organ damage, with top contenders including Giant Cell Myocarditis (highly fatal), Vasculitis (damages blood vessels), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) (multi-organ), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (nervous system), and Type 1 Diabetes (pancreas, life-long management). Other severe conditions include Scleroderma and Myasthenia Gravis.
Common symptoms of autoimmune disease include:
There are many conditions generally referred to as neuromuscular diseases—including ALS, spinal muscular atrophy, myasthenia gravis, and muscular dystrophy—that characteristically cause muscle weakness.
Symptoms of myasthenia gravis may include:
Conditions
The first signs of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) often involve vision problems (like blurred or double vision, pain with eye movement), sensory changes (numbness, tingling, pins and needles), and balance issues (dizziness, unsteadiness). Other common early symptoms include overwhelming fatigue, muscle weakness, stiffness, spasms, cognitive difficulties (memory/concentration), and bladder/bowel problems, though symptoms vary greatly from person to person.
Evaluation of ME/CFS
Early signs of ALS often involve painless muscle weakness, such as tripping or dropping things, along with muscle twitching (fasciculations), cramping, and stiffness (spasticity), commonly starting in limbs but sometimes affecting speech (slurring) or swallowing (choking). Other early indicators include significant fatigue, poor balance, or even uncontrollable laughing/crying (pseudobulbar affect). These symptoms usually begin subtly in one area and spread, affecting daily activities before becoming severe.
What are neurological symptoms that should never be ignored? Key symptoms to watch for include sudden severe headaches, unexplained numbness or tingling, vision changes, cognitive decline, muscle weakness, tremors, balance problems, speech difficulties, and seizures.
Serologic testing
A blood test for muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibodies is also available. In approximately 90% of patients with MG, a positive test result confirms a diagnosis of MG. However,6% to 12% of patients with myasthenia may test negative for both AChR antibodies and MuSK antibodies.
Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of your immune system identified by its two most common symptoms — dry eyes and a dry mouth. The condition often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
This kind of fatigue makes you feel that you are climbing a steep hill when you are really walking on level ground. It may resolve once the underlying organic condition is diagnosed and treated. Thyroid problems and anemia are both common among Sjögren's patients, but many other kinds of fatigue may be superimposed.
Specific Tests for Sjögren's Syndrome
Your doctor may recommend some or all of the following tests: Blood and urine tests, to look for the presence of antibodies common in Sjögren's syndrome. The results of an ANA (antinuclear antibody) test will determine if you have an autoimmune disorder.
Addison's disease is a rare condition that happens when the body doesn't make enough of some hormones. Another name for Addison's disease is primary adrenal insufficiency. With Addison's disease, the adrenal glands make too little of the hormone cortisol.
Equally, if you find symptoms start to accumulate, e.g. headache, followed by nausea, then feel shivery cold, with legs aches and fatigue, this may also indicate a likely reduction in cortisol levels.
Both magnesium and malic acid provide the energy necessary to make the mitochondria work optimally in the cell. This dynamic combination of magnesium and malic acid is highly recommended to anyone with adrenal fatigue.