The feeling of tiredness and lethargy all the time is physical weakness. It may also happen that the person feeling weakness is unable to move any part of his body or he feels jerks or cramps in that part. Some people feel weakness in any part of their body like hands or feet while others feel it due to bacterial infection or viral infections such as influenza or hepatitis.

Physical weakness usually occurs for some time but in some cases, it may also remain for a long time. To treat weakness it is necessary to first identify its cause. Based on which its symptoms should be treated.

Types of Physical Weakness

There are mainly two types of physical weakness. One is neuromuscular weakness and the other is non-neuromuscular weakness.

Neuromuscular weakness-

Muscle strength is reduced due to any damage in neuromuscular weakness which reduces his ability to work.

Non-neuromuscular weakness-

In non-neuromuscular weakness, you feel weakness while doing any work. Whereas in fact, the muscle is normal.

Symptoms of Physical Weakness

• Feeling weakness in one part of the body or unable to move that part properly.
• Delay in doing any work with the affected limb or feeling tremor in the affected limb.
• Muscle spasms and feeling tired throughout the day.
• Feeling weakness all the time without exhaustion.
• Fever, flu-like symptoms and pain in the affected limb.
• Weakness and sudden unconsciousness.
• Difficulty speaking and swallowing.
• Mental state changes or anxiety.

Causes of Physical Weakness

Depression-

Depression is considered to be the main cause of fatigue and weakness because worrying too much or living in depression has a very bad effect on the standard of living and working. For this reason, when a person is under stress, he experiences symptoms of weakness. Unfortunately, most such cases are not diagnosed because they are not easily identified.

Lethargy-

Muscles become weak over time due to a sedentary lifestyle and lethargy due to which the body feels weak.

Age-

As age increases, the ability of the body's cells and tissues to keep pace with each other keeps decreasing. This is why the body of older people saves their energy by remaining less active, otherwise, they experience weakness.

Infections and long-lasting diseases-

If the body constantly has to fight infections then there is a lack of energy in the body. The patient also feels tired due to long-term infections in the body such as TB and Hepatitis. One reason for this is that the muscles become weak due to these diseases. Similarly, due to Diabetes and insomnia disease, the sufferer starts feeling very weak.

Vitamin deficiency-

Lack of vital vitamins leads to a decrease in the formation of red blood cells(RBCs) due to which the formation of energy in the body is reduced and the body feels weak.

Other causes of physical weakness-

• Flu
• Thyroid
• Anemia (it may be due to excessive bleeding during menstruation)
• Lack of sleep
• Diabetes
• Heart failure
• Vitamin B-12 deficiency
• Medications' side effects
• Chemotherapy
• Cancer
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Injury to nerves or muscles
• Diseases affecting the nerves or muscles 

Weakness prevention measures

• Avoid consuming caffeine and alcohol.
• Avoid excessive exercise or dieting.
• Be sure to get enough sleep at night.
• Include calcium, protein, and low-fat food in your diet.
• Eat a diet rich in nutrients, it keeps the energy in the body and reduces fatigue.
• Try to walk outside in an open environment for at least thirty minutes daily. It brings peace to mind and body, reduces stress, and has a positive effect on mental health. 

Treatment of Physical Weakness

Weakness caused by infection-

The lost energy can be recovered with the help of antibiotics prescribed by the doctor to fight the infection.

Weakness caused by depression-

This type of fatigue can be cured with antidepressant medications.

Weakness due to vitamin deficiency-

A vitamin whose level is low is given to correct metabolic abnormalities caused by vitamin deficiency. Most of the fatigue is due to a deficiency of vitamin B12 and folate. This can be cured by fulfilling the deficient nutrients.

Weakness due to overwork-

If there is a weakness in the muscles due to overwork then it can be treated by making lifestyle changes.

When to go to the doctor?

• Excessive dizziness.
• When one feels anxious.
• Facing trouble while speaking.
• When there is a change in eyesight.
• In case of chest pain.
• In case of breathing difficulties.
• Irregular heartbeat.