What kind of weakness is there?
It is important for the doctor to understand what exactly is going on. General fatigue is a feeling of lack of energy when ordinary activities require effort, but muscle strength is preserved. True muscle weakness manifests itself specifically: it is difficult to climb stairs, get out of a chair, raise an arm, or hold an object. We separately consider drowsiness, when a person literally falls asleep during the day: its causes lie in sleep disorders. Finally, weakness limited to one side of the body or one limb is always a reason for urgent examination, as it may indicate damage to the nervous system.
- General fatigue without loss of strength
- True muscle weakness
- Daytime sleepiness
- Weakness in one limb or half of the body
- Weakness after an infection
- Weakness due to emotional exhaustion
Common reasons
In the first place are conditions associated with a lack of oxygen and energy in the tissues: anemia and iron deficiency, which are especially common in women with heavy menstruation. Next are endocrine causes: decreased or increased thyroid function, diabetes mellitus, and less commonly, adrenal insufficiency. A significant proportion are sleep disorders, including apnea with snoring and breathing pauses. Often weakness turns out to be a manifestation of depression or anxiety disorder. We must not forget about medications: many blood pressure medications, antihistamines and sedatives cause lethargy.
- Iron deficiency and anemia
- Thyroid diseases
- Diabetes mellitus
- Sleep apnea and chronic sleep deprivation
- Depression and anxiety disorders
- Vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiency
- Chronic infections and inflammatory diseases
- Side effects of medications and alcohol abuse
- Condition after previous infections
What to pay attention to
It is useful to notice what the weakness is associated with. If it intensifies in the evening after exercise and goes away after rest, it is often functional exhaustion. If a person wakes up already exhausted, snores and falls asleep during the day, you should think about sleep disorders. Weakness combined with pallor, shortness of breath when climbing stairs and hair loss indicates anemia. Chilliness, swelling, weight gain and constipation indicate hypothyroidism. Thirst, frequent urination and weight loss indicate diabetes. The combination with weight loss, fever and night sweats requires examination first.
- Time of occurrence and relationship with load
- Sleep quality and snoring
- Pallor and shortness of breath
- Changes in weight and appetite
- Thirst and frequent urination
- Mood, interest in life, sleep
- List of medications taken
What examinations are needed
A reasonable starting set of tests is inexpensive and covers most common causes. A general blood test reveals anemia and signs of inflammation, ferritin shows iron reserves even with normal hemoglobin. TSH evaluates the functioning of the thyroid gland, glucose and glycated hemoglobin - carbohydrate metabolism. Vitamin B12 is important in vegetarian diets, in the elderly, and when taking acid-reducing medications. Additionally, the doctor evaluates kidney and liver function. If the tests are normal, attention is switched to sleep, mood and routine, and in case of muscle weakness, they are referred to a neurologist.
- General blood test
- Ferritin
- TSH
- Blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin
- Vitamin B12
- Creatinine and liver enzymes
- Assessing depression and sleep quality
- Polysomnography for suspected apnea
- Consultation with a neurologist for true muscle weakness
What helps
When the cause is found, treatment is aimed at it: iron supplements for deficiency, correction of thyroid function, diabetes treatment, sleep apnea therapy, help for depression. While the examination is underway, basic measures are in place, the effectiveness of which has been proven: regular sleep at the same time, feasible physical activity, good nutrition, limiting alcohol and late-night caffeine. Paradoxically, it is movement that helps with fatigue better than prolonged rest. Vitamins and tonic supplements without a confirmed deficiency are of no benefit and only delay the search for the cause.
- Treatment of the identified cause
- Regular sleep schedule
- Daily moderate physical activity
- A nutritious diet with sufficient protein
- Limiting alcohol and caffeine in the afternoon
- Refusal to take vitamins without a confirmed deficiency
- Gradual increase in load after illness
