Prolonged Weakness

If you're experiencing persistent, unexplained weakness, particularly if it's affecting your ability to carry out daily activities or is accompanied by other symptoms like weight loss, increased heart rate, change in bowel habits, or frequent infections, it's essential to seek medical attention.

A comprehensive medical history, physical examination, and certain diagnostic tests are involved in diagnosing the cause of prolonged weakness. These tests may include blood tests, urinalysis, imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs, nerve conduction studies, muscle function tests, sleep studies, and psychological evaluations.

Blood tests can reveal underlying health conditions that could be causing your prolonged weakness. For instance, they can detect issues with your thyroid, kidney, liver, or blood sugar levels. Blood tests can also reveal if you have anemia, a condition that often results in feelings of weakness and fatigue.

A urinalysis involves testing a sample of your urine. It can help identify issues with your kidneys, which can cause weakness, or detect substances that might be contributing to your weakness, such as high levels of glucose (in diabetes) or abnormal levels of electrolytes.

Imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs can help identify abnormalities in the organs or structures of your body that could be causing your weakness. For example, these tests can detect tumors, bone fractures, or damage to your heart, lungs, or liver.

A nerve conduction study measures the speed and strength of signals traveling between your nerves and muscles. It can help identify conditions that affect your nerves, such as neuropathy or myopathy, which can cause muscle weakness.

This depends on what's causing your prolonged weakness. For heart-related issues, you'd see a cardiologist; for hormonal imbalances, an endocrinologist; for kidney diseases, a nephrologist; and for mental health issues causing weakness, a psychiatrist would be appropriate.

Absolutely. Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy diet, ensuring good sleep hygiene, managing stress, and staying well-hydrated can all help manage feelings of weakness. It's also essential to limit alcohol and quit smoking, both of which can contribute to weakness.