Syndromes Caused by Weak Muscles
Definitions
Weakness: cannot exert normal force.
Paralysis, plegia: total loss of ability to contract muscle.
Paresis: partial loss, but often used interchangeably with plegia.
Hemiplegia: weakness of arm and leg on same side.
Monoplegia: weakness of one limb.
Paraplegia: weakness of both legs.
Recognition of Weakness and Pseudoweakness
Common Weakness Symptoms
Cranial: ptosis of eyelids, diplopia, dysarthria, dysphagia; change in facial appearance.
Proximal limbs: difficulty lifting packages, combing hair, reaching overhead, climbing stairs, rising from chairs.
Distal limbs: difficulty turning keys or door knobs, difficulty using coins or buttons, footdrop.
Conditions Mimicking Weakness
Subjective weakness without objective muscle weakness.
Chronic fatigue syndrome: easy fatigability, inability to do housework, need for prolonged rest after slight exertion. Often with myalgia, depression. No focal weakness on examination.
Fatigue of systemic illness: anemia, hypoventilation, congestive heart failure, cancer, systemic infection. Usually with other evidence of underlying disease.Related posts:
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