muscle weakness
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Etiology
(also see immobility)
- brain disease
- multiple sclerosis
- transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- cataplexy & sleep paralysis associated with narcolepsy
- spinal cord disease
- peripheral nerve disease
- myoneural junction disease
- muscle disease
- electrolyte disturbances
- disorders with only subjective weakness
- generalized weakness in the elderly[5]
- severe systemic illness (widespread malignancy)
- severe congestive heart failure
- possibly via deconditioning
- deconditioning (prolonged bedrest)
- malnutrition
- intensive care unit-acquired weakness
Clinical manifestations
- bilateral distal weakness suggests polyneuropathy
- bilateral proximal muscle weakness suggests myopathy
- weakness made worse with repeated effort suggests myasthenia gravis or related syndromes
- see signs that distinguish patterns of muscle weakness
Differential diagnosis
(3 most likely)
Diphtheria may produce a demyelinating neuropathy.
More general terms
More specific terms
Additional terms
References
- ↑ Guide to Physical Examination & History Taking, 6th edition, Bates B, JB Lippincott, Philadelphia, 1995, pg 59
- ↑ Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review, 1998-99, Prakash UBS (ed) Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998, pg 641-42
- ↑ Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed. Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1994, pg 132
- ↑ Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed. Fauci et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1998, pg 121
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Essentials of Clinical Geriatrics, 4th ed, Kane RL et al (eds) McGraw Hill, NY, 1999