The term asthenia (Weakness) is used to describe a feeling of tiredness or fatigue. you may likely be experiencing a loss of strength and feeling exhausted due to stress, lack of sleep, or overwork, it could also be accompanied by illness and it may occur after overcoming an illness. there are just several reasons why you may be feeling weak and in this piece, we will be talking about the possible reasons for body weakness. but first, let’s begin with symptoms that may accompany weakness.
Other symptoms that may likely occur with weakness
Body weakness may come with other symptoms which vary depending on the underlying cause of the health condition or disorder.
Physical symptoms that may come with weakness are:
- cramping or pain in the abdomen
- Hematuria (bloody or pink-colored urine) and foul-smelling urine
- Body aches and Fatigue
- Cloudy urine
- Diarrhea
- Dysuria (difficult/ painful urination, or burning with urination)
- Fever and chills
- Flu-like symptoms (sore throat, headache, cough, aches, and pains)
- General ill feeling
- Loss of appetite
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Thirst
Symptoms that may be related to emotional disturbance are:
- Anxiety and Depression
- Mood swing and change in personality, or behavior
- Having difficulty with memory, thinking, talking, comprehension, writing, or reading
- loss of energy
- Severe fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
The symptoms that are life-threatening includes:
- Severe abdominal, pelvic, or lower back pain
- Finding it difficult to speak or swallow
- Fainting, change in the level of consciousness, or lethargy
- Fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
- Inability to stand and balance problems.
- Incontinence of urine or feces
- Seizures
- Difficulty walking
- Sudden loss or changes in vision
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Vomiting
- Worst headache of your life
Causes of weakness
chronic disorders that can cause weakness includes:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease which is a severe neuromuscular disease that causes muscle weakness and disability
- Anemia i.e low red blood cell count
- Cancer and anticancer therapies
- Diabetes
- Exposure to toxic substances or poisons
- Fibromyalgia (a chronic condition that causes pain, stiffness, and tenderness)
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis; is an autoimmune disease leading to hypothyroidism and low production of thyroid hormone
- Underactive thyroid (Hypothyroidism)
- Infections such as Lyme, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS
- Malnutrition
- Multiple sclerosis, a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord resulting in weakness, coordination, balance difficulties, and other problems
- Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis)
- Muscular dystrophy (inherited) or Myasthenia gravis (autoimmune) disorder that causes a progressive loss of muscle tissue and muscle weakness
- Polymyositis (widespread inflammation and weakness of muscles)
- Respiratory conditions (asthma, COPD)
Causes of weakness that are life-threatening are:
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
- Congestive heart failure
- Dehydration i.e loss of body fluids and electrolytes
- Kidney failure
- Myasthenia gravis crisis
- Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
- Myxedema coma (life-threatening complications of hypothyroidism)
- Pulmonary embolism (blockage of an artery in the lung due to blood clot)
- Ruptured aortic aneurysm
Sepsis (life-threatening bacterial blood infection) - Stroke
Other possible causes include:
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Lack of sleep
- Overwork
- Stress
Potential complications of weakness
Body weakness can be due to different serious health issue and failure to get treatment may result in a more complicated problem like:
- inability to perform daily task
- inability to sleep
- aggravated symptoms
- depression
- Spread of cancer
- Spread of infection
- inability to move about
Here are three home remedies to help you reduce body weakness.
- Banana is known to increase the sugar level in the body which makes your feel more energetic. one or two banana can help revive you.
- You can soak 3 to 4 almonds in water overnight. The next morning, take the almond water as well as the almond. this will help you gain energy slowly. Almond is rich in Vitamin e and a good source of energy.
- Another good source of vitamin e is Milk. it helps to reduce weakness. when you add little honey to warm milk and drink, it will instantly boost your energy.
Conclusion
Body weakness may be due to a cold which is normal with enough rest and some home remedies you will be good again but when you start experiencing explainable symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately. remember to drink plenty of fluid, exercise regularly, and get adequate rest.