Weakness

Muscle weakness may happen suddenly or little by little over time

You may have weakness all over your body or just in certain muscles

Weakness can be dangerous if it involves the muscles that control your breathing

Physical Physical Therapy (PT) Physical therapy, a component of rehabilitation, involves exercising and manipulating the body with an emphasis on the back, upper arms, and legs. It can improve joint and muscle function, helping... read more and occupational Occupational Therapy (OT) Occupational therapy, a component of rehabilitation, is intended to enhance a person's ability to do basic self-care activities, useful work, and leisure activities. These activities include... read more therapy can often help your muscles get stronger depending on what’s causing the weakness

Weakness that starts over a few days or faster

Trouble breathing

Trouble raising your head while lying down

Trouble chewing, talking, or swallowing

Being unable to walk

Worsened physical fitness, especially if you’re over 55

Losing muscle strength after being on bed rest

Problems with nerves all over the body that control your muscles

Muscle problems that can happen from low potassium Hypokalemia (Low Level of Potassium in the Blood) In hypokalemia, the level of potassium in blood is too low. A low potassium level has many causes but usually results from vomiting, diarrhea, adrenal gland disorders, or use of diuretics. A... read more , taking corticosteroids, or drinking too much alcohol Alcohol Use Alcohol (ethanol) is a depressant (it slows down brain and nervous system functioning). Consuming large amounts rapidly or regularly can cause health problems, including organ damage, coma,... read more

Certain medicines, such as drugs that doctors use during surgery to keep you from moving

Stroke Stroke A stroke is a sudden brain problem that happens when a blood vessel in your brain either gets blocked or breaks open and bleeds. Part of your brain stops getting blood. Brain tissue that doesn't... read more (especially if your weakness is on one side of your body)

Nerve damage from injuries

A pinched nerve such as from carpal tunnel syndrome Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome is pain, numbness, and tingling in your fingers and hand. Those feelings are caused by pressure on a nerve in your wrist. The carpal tunnel is a space (channel) on the... read more

A ruptured disk in your spine

Pressure on your spinal cord from severe arthritis, infection, or cancer that has spread to your spinal cord

Multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Multiple sclerosis is a disease that causes multiple scars on nerves in your brain and spinal cord. These scars keep the nerves from working properly. Multiple sclerosis or MS is a disease that... read more

MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) MRI is a test that uses a machine with a powerful magnet to make pictures of the inside of your body. A computer records changes in the magnetic field around your body. The computer then uses... read more or CT scan Computed Tomography A CT scan uses a large machine shaped like a large donut to take x-rays from many angles. A computer then takes the x-rays and creates many detailed pictures of the inside of your body. Each... read more to see pictures of the inside of your body

Electromyography and nerve conduction studies Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies Diagnostic procedures may be needed to confirm a diagnosis suggested by the medical history and neurologic examination. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a simple, painless procedure in which... read more to measure electrical activity in your nerves and muscles

Sometimes a spinal tap Spinal Tap Diagnostic procedures may be needed to confirm a diagnosis suggested by the medical history and neurologic examination. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a simple, painless procedure in which... read more to get spinal fluid for testing

Biopsy Muscle and nerve Diagnostic procedures may be needed to confirm a diagnosis suggested by the medical history and neurologic examination. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a simple, painless procedure in which... read more of a muscle or nerve

Genetic testing Genetic Testing Diagnostic procedures may be needed to confirm a diagnosis suggested by the medical history and neurologic examination. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a simple, painless procedure in which... read more to see if you have a problem that runs in families

Blood and urine tests

Doctors will treat the cause of your muscle weakness

If you have trouble breathing because of weakness in the muscles needed to breathe, they may put you on a breathing machine

They may have you get physical therapy Physical Therapy (PT) Physical therapy, a component of rehabilitation, involves exercising and manipulating the body with an emphasis on the back, upper arms, and legs. It can improve joint and muscle function, helping... read more to help strengthen your muscles and occupational therapy Occupational Therapy (OT) Occupational therapy, a component of rehabilitation, is intended to enhance a person's ability to do basic self-care activities, useful work, and leisure activities. These activities include... read more to help you learn new ways to do daily activities