Excessive exercise can cause weakness in the arms and legs.
Arm and leg weakness can be caused by a variety of different conditions, some temporary and some chronic. Excessive exercise is one cause of temporary fatigue in major muscle groups, although this is not considered true muscle weakness. Conditions that can cause clinical weakness include neurological disorders, muscle problems or injuries, toxic overload, and certain metabolic diseases.
Sports injuries can cause weakness in the arms and legs.
There are many common reasons for arm and leg weakness that are not cause for alarm and usually improve with treatment. Muscle injuries due to sports practice are an example, as well as temporary toxic overload in the body. Dehydration can also cause weakness in severe cases and can be corrected by fluid replacement. Toxins can be removed from the body by doing a detox cleanse, such as a juice fasting diet, or by stopping any activities or medications that may be causing the overload in the first place.
Dehydration can cause weakness in the arms and legs.
Certain neurological disorders can also cause weakness in the arms and legs. Multiple sclerosis is a condition characterized by increased weakness, balance and coordination problems, and sometimes vision problems. More serious, but much less likely, conditions are Parkinson’s disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease. They tend to affect older people more than young adults and adolescents and are generally considered rare. This is particularly true for Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The flu can cause body weakness.
Sometimes illnesses such as cancer can also cause weakness, although other symptoms are often noticed first. Another possible disease is diabetes, which can cause total body fatigue and malaise if left untreated. Other possible causes include an electrolyte imbalance, certain viruses like the flu, torn muscles or ligaments, and a stroke.
If weakness in the arms and legs is severe and lasts for more than a few days without any known trauma to the area of weakness, a doctor should be seen for an exam. While weakness is rarely a serious problem, there are conditions that need to be ruled out. Weakness accompanied by other symptoms should always be examined immediately, especially if neurological symptoms are present. This may include muscle spasms, loss of balance, decreased coordination, personality changes, vision changes, dizziness, fatigue, memory loss, or vertigo.
People with diabetes may experience body weakness.
Injury-related weakness is often accompanied by pain and tenderness in the same area. Even after the pain has subsided, the weakness may continue until the muscle has been exercised enough to rebuild tissue. This should be done under the supervision of a doctor or physical therapist.
