Muscle Fatigue and Weakness

Topic at a Glance

Muscle fatigue and weakness can occur from both non-medical issues, such as a sedentary lifestyle or aging, as well as medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and neurological disorders.
Weakness may present as difficulty in normal muscle contraction, reduced muscle function, or a sense of exhaustion related to sustained exercise, injury, or mental fatigue.
Identifying the underlying cause is essential and often requires medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.
At NY Neurology Associates in New York, we take a personalized approach to evaluating your health history and uncovering the root cause of muscle fatigue or weakness.

Muscle Weaknesses Defined

Different individuals will use the term “muscle weakness” to describe a variety of physical ailments, including:

Muscle Weakness: When the muscle does not respond the way it is supposed to. This may be due to a lack of flexibility or the loss of strength.
Muscle Exhaustion: Fatigue occurs due to overuse or due to being tired. The muscle is able to perform correctly, but it seems more difficult to do so due to a lack of energy.

Causes of Muscle Weakness

There are several non-medical issues that can result in an experience of muscle weakness:

The feeling of muscle weakness is most often caused by a sedentary lifestyle or lack of use. The body is simply not used to the demands. As the body is used more often, the muscles will become stronger, and performing the desired tasks will become easier.
As a person ages, their body takes longer to recover, and performing certain tasks becomes more difficult. This may result in the feeling of having weak muscles.

Additionally, several medical conditions can result in muscle weakness:

Diabetes
Heart disease
Vascular issues
COPD
Anemia
Anxiety
Neurological conditions
Injury

In order to address muscle weakness, it is important to understand the root cause of the issue. Therefore, it is important to speak with a physician about your symptoms.

Your muscles are vital for everything from strength training and athletic performance to everyday activities. If fatigue, low glycogen stores, or possible mineral deficiencies are interfering with your daily life, it’s time to seek answers. At NY Neurology Associates, our team is here to help prevent muscle fatigue, restore function, and support your long-term health.

Take the first step toward stronger, healthier muscles; contact one of our offices in NYC today to schedule a consultation.

Below are some common questions about muscle fatigue and weakness.

What is the difference between muscle weakness and muscle exhaustion?

Muscle Weakness is when the muscle does not respond the way it is supposed to. This may be due to a lack of flexibility or the loss of strength. Muscle fatigue occurs due to overuse or due to being tired. The muscle is able to perform correctly, but it seems more difficult to do so due to a lack of energy.

What non-medical issues can cause muscle weakness?

The feeling of muscle weakness is most often caused by a sedentary lifestyle or lack of use. The body is simply not used to the demands. As the body is used more often, the muscles will become stronger, and performing the desired tasks will become easier. As a person ages, their body takes longer to recover, and performing certain tasks becomes more difficult. This may result in the feeling of having weak muscles.

What medical conditions can result in muscle weakness?

Several medical conditions can result in muscle weakness, including diabetes, heart disease, vascular issues, COPD, anemia, anxiety, neurological conditions, and injury.”