Chronic Idiopathic Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy refers to the feeling of numbness, tingling, and pins-and-needles sensation in the feet. Idiopathic means the cause is not known, and chronic means the condition is ongoing without getting better or worse.
The condition is most often found in people over age 60. Idiopathic neuropathy has no known cause.
Symptoms include uncomfortable numbness and tingling in the feet difficulty standing or walking due to pain and lack of normal sensitivity and weakness and cramping in the muscles of the feet and ankles.
Peripheral neuropathy can greatly interfere with quality of life, so a medical provider should be seen in order to treat the symptoms and reduce the discomfort.
Diagnosis is made through physical examination blood tests to rule out other conditions and neurologic and muscle studies such as electromyography.
Treatment involves over-the-counter pain relievers prescription pain relievers to manage more severe pain physical therapy and safety measures to compensate for loss of sensation in the feet and therapeutic footwear to help with balance and walking.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: distal numbness, muscle aches, joint stiffness, numbness on both sides of body, loss of muscle mass
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Rheumatoid Arthritis And Fatigue
Symptoms: Fatigue, morning stiffness, joint pain, inflamed joints
Rheumatoid arthritis , a type of inflammatory arthritis, is another cause of excessive fatigue. Because joint damage can result in disability, early and aggressive treatment is the best approach for rheumatoid arthritis.
Medications that may be used early in mild RA include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs
Other drugs used in more serious forms of RA include the anti-cytokine therapies , as well as shots and other forms of treatment.
Other autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and Sjogrens disease, may also cause fatigue.
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Allergies Hay Fever And Fatigue
Symptoms: Fatigue, headache, itchiness, nasal congestion, and drainage
Allergic rhinitis is a common cause of chronic fatigue. But allergic rhinitis often can be easily treated and self-managed. To make a diagnosis, your doctor will assess your symptoms. The doctor will also find out, through a detailed history or testing, whether your allergies are triggered by pollens, insects , animal dander, molds and mildew, weather changes, or something else.
One way to reduce symptoms of allergic rhinitis — including fatigue — is to take steps to avoid the offending allergen. In addition, proper medication can help with symptoms. Drugs that might help include:
- Leukotriene modifiers
- Mast cell stabilizers
Allergy shots — immunotherapy — may help in severe cases. This treatment involves weekly shots of increasingly higher solutions of the offending allergens. Allergy shots take time to be effective and are usually administered over a period of 3 to 5 years.
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Is Pots More Common In Certain People
There are no established risk factors for POTS. However, it is known to run in families, so it could have a genetic component. Researchers have also established a link between POTS and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome . So if you have one of these conditions, you might also have the other.
A big group of those diagnosed with POTS is young women and teens. However, this doesnt mean they are more likely to develop this condition.
Leg Muscle Weakness In Seniors
Are you a senior whos lost some mobility due to having leg muscle weakness in one or both legs? Maybe youve had a fall or two because youve been experiencing weak leg muscles?
Weak legs are a common problem in seniors because we lose muscle mass as we get older. As we age, we tend to become less active, and this causes a reduction in our muscle strength.
While some physical conditions can cause leg weakness, chances are, your weak leg muscles are part of the aging process. But dont fret, there may be some things you can do to improve the strength in your legs and help you become more active.
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The Initial Causes Symptoms: Muscle Pain Fatigue Muscle Weakness Joint Stiffness
Joint pain may be caused by a variety of causes. Inflammation and infection can affect the joints, and it is necessary to see a doctor to get a proper diagnosis. However, certain types of joint pain are not a serious health problem and can be treated by yourself. Moreover, joint pain can be the result of a broader range of factors, such as stress, illness, and genetics. When you have recurring joint pain, you should seek help from a doctor as early as possible.
Inflammation and pain in the joint can be caused by many conditions, including RA and sacroiliac joint inflammation. The inflammation of a joint causes the pain. For example, a person suffering from RA may experience lower back pain or iliosacral joint pain. These problems can occur in both the upper and lower back. When the sacral bone becomes inflamed, there will be inflammation of the sacral joint. The painful area is called the sacroiliac bone.
In addition to RA and gout, joint pain can also be the result of numerous medical conditions. For instance, a person suffering from fibromyalgia will experience joint pain that is accompanied by fever, fatigue, and difficulty walking. The symptoms of these conditions can be triggered by a number of factors, but the most common underlying cause of the pain will most likely be a joint disorder. A person suffering from fibromyalgia arthritis may experience a painful condition known as septic arthritis. Symptoms: Muscle Pain, Fatigue, Muscle Weakness, Joint Stiffness
When To Talk With A Doctor
As a rule of thumb, its a good idea to talk with your doctor if any weakness or fatigue is bothersome and interfering with your quality of life.
While weakness and fatigue from a cold or flu virus may go away on its own, you should see your doctor if any symptoms persist after being ill. If youre currently being treated for a medical condition, any new or worsening weakness could mean that you need modifications to your treatment plan.
In addition to experiencing weakness, other symptoms may occur, such as:
- difficulty breathing
- irregular heartbeat
, this describes general weakness that may be linked to conditions seen more often in natural aging, such as heart disease.
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Conditions Affecting Brain Drive To Muscles
Anxiety: generalised tiredness can be caused by anxiety. This is due to overactivity of the bodys adrenaline system.
Depression: general weariness and a feeling of generalised tiredness can also be caused by depression.
Note: anxiety and depression are both conditions which tend to cause a sense of tiredness and fatigability rather than true weakness.
Chronic pain: a general effect on energy levels can result from chronic pain. Like anxiety, it stimulates the production of chemical substances in the body which respond to pain and injury. These chemicals lead to feelings of tiredness or fatigue. In chronic pain, true weakness can result, as muscles may not be used due to pain and discomfort.
Sitting Or Standing For Long Periods
Its never good to sit or stand for more than 30 minutes at a time. But in some situations, you may not have a choice, particularly if your career requires you to sit or stand while you work. If you are experiencing tired, achy legs while sitting or standing, this could be a sign of another condition called vein disease. Vein disease is not a life-threatening condition however, it does have the potential to cause serious complications if left untreated.
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Spinal Lesion Or Tumor
A spinal lesion or tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue within or surround the spinal cord or column. Spinal tumors can be cancerous or noncancerous, and originate in the spine or spinal column or spread there from another site.
Back pain, which is worse at night or increases with activity, is the most common symptom. If the tumor presses on a nerve, it can cause numbness or weakness in the arms, legs, or chest.
Treatment depends on the type and location of the lesion or tumor, and whether or not its cancerous or noncancerous. Surgery to remove the tumor, or radiation therapy or chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, can usually resolve leg weakness.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is also known as Lou Gehrigs disease. Its a progressive neurological disease that damages nerve cells and often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in the legs.
Other early symptoms include:
- difficulty holding up your head
Theres currently no cure for ALS, but treatments are available that can help control symptoms and complications and improve quality of life.
How To Determine Low Potassium
According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s incredibly rare for low potassium levels to cause isolated symptoms of fatigue without other red flags of the deficiency being present. However, if you find that your legs have no energy or that you’re feeling tired overall, it’s time to get your blood checked. When doing so, if your doctor finds that you have an abnormally low plasma potassium concentration, they’ll let you know that you have hypokalemia and suggest ways to supplement to treat this the deficiency.
According to the Linus Pauling Institute, low potassium levels are most often the result of dehydration associated with prolonged vomiting or frequent episodes of diarrhea, use of some diuretics, forms of kidney disease that can cause lower levels, and metabolic disturbances such as anorexia.
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What You Need To Know About Joint Pain Symptoms: Muscle Pain Fatigue Muscle Weakness Joint Stiffness
You should seek medical attention for any pain you experience. If the pain is caused by an infection, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. You can take over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If your pain is more intense, you can try heating or applying ice to the joint. Alternatively, you can also try applying heat to the affected area. To relieve the pain, you should stay away from the activities that cause you to have joint pain. A doctor can prescribe you dietary supplements, such as glucosamine, that are effective in reducing your symptoms.
If you fall or are hit on the leg and notice any swelling or deformity in your knee, you should seek medical attention. If you cant put weight on your leg, it could be a sign of a more serious ailment. If you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately. The most important thing to do is to be patient and do not panic. The pain you experience is normal and is not related to any other health problems.
How To Prevent Muscle Fatigue
- Wearing appropriate, comfortable and well-fitted shoes during activity, especially if youll be on your feet for a long time
- Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce pressure on the legs
- Staying hydrated, exercising and getting plenty of rest
- Strengthening the muscles in your legs with exercises can sometimes help alleviate soreness if the pain is a result of muscular weakness.
- Wearing compression socks to help increase blood flow in the lower body.
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Firstly Why Do We Need Sleep
Our bodies require a long period of sleep for optimal health and wellbeing. During sleep, our bodies consolidate memories and experiences, restore and rejuvenate, repair tissues, grow muscle, and synthesize hormones. When we do not get enough consecutive hours of sleep, our bodies are not able to complete all of these necessary tasks in order to perform at our best.
Interestingly, our bodies regulate sleep similarly to the way we regulate breathing, eating, and drinking. Therefore, while scientists are still exploring theories for why we sleep, there is consensus that sleep serves a critical role in our health and well-being. Unfortunately, when we are in perimenopause, there are a number of symptoms that prevent women from getting enough sleep. Consequently, fatigue during perimenopause further aggravates an already stressed body.
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Fact: A Short Nap Is The Best Solution
According to the National Sleep Foundation, pulling over for a short nap is the most effective way to restore alertness on the road. Park in a safe, well-lit area. Set your watch or phone to wake you up in 15. Then let yourself really wake up before you get back on the road. Longer naps can increase grogginess and disorientation. If you plan to nap longer than half an hour, it may be best to stop for the night.
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Will My Leg Weakness Be Permanent
It depends on the cause. Fortunately, many causes of leg weakness lead to complete recovery if diagnosed accurately and treated in the appropriate time frame. Sometimes leg weakness may be improved but not totally cured by treatments like physical therapy after the initial underlying cause is addressed. However, some causes are irreversible, and these include severe damage to the nerves, spinal cord and/or brain.
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What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Scientists have been researching chronic fatigue syndrome for many years, but they still dont know for sure what causes it.
Many doctors believe that the way some conditions interact within the body and mind might leave some people at risk for CFS. For example, if someone has a and is under a lot of stress, the combination of these two things might make them more likely to develop CFS.
These things are believed to interact with each other in this way, putting some people at risk for CFS:
- infections. Experts have wondered if infections like measles or Epstein-Barr virus might increase the risk for CFS. The role Epstein-Barr plays in CFS is not clear because studies have not confirmed it as a cause.
- problems with the immune system or the nervous system
- hormone imbalances
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Myth: Cool Air Can Keep You Awake
Blasting your AC or opening the window may keep you cool, but this does little to counteract drowsiness. Think of how well people sleep on cold winter nights. In fact, keeping your room cool is a commonly given tip for getting better sleep. Playing loud music is also useless in fighting driver fatigue.
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General Measures For Leg Weakness
In general, some general measures can be used to improve the feeling of weakness in the legs , however, a medical evaluation is necessary in any of the aforementioned cases to indicate the specific treatment:
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How To Treat Aching Legs Caused By Pad
To alleviate the leg pain associated with PAD, you need to treat your condition. USA Vascular Centers can help you reduce these painful symptoms with minimally invasive treatments, such as stent placement, angioplasty, and atherectomy. We will also work with you to find lifestyle changes to improve your health as part of a complete treatment plan.
Using The Brain To Move A Muscle
Also, the amount of muscle tissue must be normal, and the tissue must be able to contract in response to the signal from the nerves. Therefore, true weakness results only when one or more part of this pathwaybrain, spinal cord, nerves, muscles, or the connections between themis damaged or diseased.
Weakness may develop suddenly or gradually. Weakness may affect all of the muscles in the body or only one part of the body. For example, depending on where the spinal cord is damaged, spinal cord disorders may cause weakness only of the legs.
Symptoms depend on which muscles are affected. For example, when weakness affects muscles of the chest, people may have difficulty breathing. When weakness affects muscles that control the eyes, people may have double vision.
Complete muscle weakness causes paralysis. People may have other symptoms depending on what is causing the weakness. Weakness is often accompanied by abnormalities in sensation, such as tingling, a pins-and-needles sensation, and numbness.
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Conditions Affecting Brain ‘drive’ To Muscles
Anxiety: generalised tiredness can be caused by anxiety. This is due to overactivity of the body’s adrenaline system.
Depression: general weariness and a feeling of generalised tiredness can also be caused by depression.
Note: anxiety and depression are both conditions which tend to cause a sense of tiredness and ‘fatigability’ rather than true weakness.
Chronic pain: a general effect on energy levels can result from chronic pain. Like anxiety, it stimulates the production of chemical substances in the body which respond to pain and injury. These chemicals lead to feelings of tiredness or fatigue. In chronic pain, true weakness can result, as muscles may not be used due to pain and discomfort.
What Causes Weakness In Arms And Legs
Anxiety and chronic stress can cause weakness in the arms and legs. For more information, you can read why anxiety can cause weakness in the arms and legs. You can also read how to get rid of anxiety-caused weakness in the arms and legs.
Since some medical conditions and medications can cause weakness in the arms and legs, we recommend discussing this symptom with your doctor to rule out a medical cause.
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