At times doesn’t it feel that you’re so tired your body is giving away and you cannot even sit or stand erect? It is a result of muscle weakness. Although weakness of muscles is a pretty common complaint which many people face, at times it can be quite serious. Here are 10 things which make muscles weak.
Aging
The normal process of aging can effectively weaken the muscles as the rate of regeneration of damaged tissues starts getting slower than that of degeneration. This leads to an overall degeneration and weakness of the muscles.
Anaemia
Adequate amount of hemoglobin is essential for maintaining healthy mass which makes people suffering from anaemia prone to muscle weakness and fatigue. An iron rich diet is the only way to fight this situation. If needed iron supplements will help improve the condition.
Sedentary lifestyle
People with sedentary lifestyle are seen to suffer from weak muscles as opposed to those who regularly work out and exercise their muscles, building up muscular strength. It is important to maintain a regular active lifestyle else the muscles of the body will degenerate faster, leading to atrophy.
Trauma
An injury or trauma can weaken the muscles of the spot of trauma as well as of those in its proximity. It can also lead to Rhabdomyolysis which causes a breakdown of muscle fibers. This weakness can be temporary or permanent, depending on the injury. Physiotherapy can be beneficial in restoring strength and functionality
Low blood sodium
An optimal level of sodium in the blood is essential to maintain. Owing to certain changes in the body or sickness, if the level of sodium falls, it results in muscle weakness and fatigue. It is an alarming change in the body as it can even end up affecting the brain.
Dehydration
When the body gets dehydrated the normal functioning of the of the tissues are severely impacted. But even less than serious cases of dehydration can affect the muscles, causing painful cramps and muscle weakness. Administration of ORS can bring about immediate relief.
Thyroid malfunction
Malfunctioning of the thyroid gland can result in a hormonal imbalance which affects the healthy functioning of the entire body, including the muscles. It drains the person of energy. Thyroid tests and medication must be administered to reduce the damage.
Growth Hormone deficiency
The deficiency of growth hormone can lead to weak muscles and bones which can make you feel tired all the time. Supplements such as Jintropin are particularly helpful in restoring muscle mass. This will improve muscle strength and reduce the constant fatigue.
Image source :- Pharmacer.com
Autoimmune diseases
Certain autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome etc cause considerable damage to the muscle tissues or nervous tissues controlling the muscles which results in muscle weakness and even reduced functionality. Often cancer can also trigger such autoimmune reactions, affecting the muscle strength severely.
Brain and nervous disorders
Certain disorders of the brain and nervous system such as cerebral palsy, Lou Gehrig’s disease or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Bell’s palsy etc. show considerable muscle weakness. Since these conditions affect the brain and the nervous system
If you face persistent muscle weakness and fatigue, it is important to see a doctor as it could be a sign of something serious.