Weakness

Weakness services offered in Katy, TX

At first, you might think you feel weak because you exercised too long or didn’t sleep well, which might be legitimate reasons. But if muscle weakness doesn’t improve, it’s time to consult Sadia Yasser, MD, and the caring team at Advanced Neurology of Katy. They specialize in identifying the reason for your ongoing weakness and creating treatment plans to improve strength and mobility. Muscle weakness can point to many severe health conditions, so make an appointment right away. Call the Katy, Texas, office today or request a weakness evaluation through online booking.

What is weakness?

Weakness refers to losing muscle strength. It can develop for many reasons, including a lack of exercise and muscle problems.

Weakness also occurs when communication between the brain and muscles is disrupted. Communication problems begin when an injury or disease damages the nerves in your brain, body (peripheral nerves), or at the junction between nerves and muscles.

What conditions cause muscle weakness?

A large group of neuromuscular disorders can cause weak muscles, including:

Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Peripheral neuropathy
Muscular dystrophy
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease)
Myasthenia gravis
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
Polymyositis
Dermatomyositis
Myopathies

Many other conditions affecting the brain and nerves result in muscle weakness. This group includes:

Stroke
Brain injuries
Brain tumors
Parkinson’s disease
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Pinched spinal nerves

Severe fatigue from diseases like fibromyalgia, hepatitis, kidney disease, and heart failure can also affect muscle performance and strength.

Will I have other symptoms along with weakness?

The conditions responsible for muscle weakness can also cause many possible symptoms. You might experience:

Muscle aches and pain
Muscle cramps and twitching
Muscle thinning or wasting (atrophy)
Spasticity (muscle stiffness)
Difficulty moving
Balance problems
Droopy eyelids
Double vision
Difficulty swallowing
Shortness of breath

Spasticity and cramps can cause severe pain, while weak muscles make walking, sitting up, or holding items difficult.

How is muscle weakness diagnosed?

Your Advanced Neurology of Katy provider explores your symptoms and completes physical, neurological, and motor (muscle) exams. They evaluate your strength, reflexes, coordination, gait (how you walk), and ability to feel sensations.

Your provider can also perform diagnostic tests, including:

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

An EEG shows nerve activity and conditions in the brain.

Electromyography (EMG)

EMG testing shows if muscles are responding to nerve stimulation.

Nerve conduction study (NCS)

This test shows if electrical signals are moving through nerves.

Some people need diagnostic imaging like a CT scan or MRI.

How is muscle weakness treated?

At Advanced Neurology of Katy, the team makes treatment decisions based on your diagnosis and symptom severity. Whenever possible, they treat the underlying condition (or refer you to the appropriate specialist). Muscle strength often returns as the condition heals.

Some neuromuscular conditions, like muscular dystrophy, ALS, and MS, can’t be cured, so your provider focuses on relieving your symptoms and improving muscle strength and movement. They customize your treatment, drawing from several possible medications, therapies, and surgical procedures.

Call Advanced Neurology of Katy today or book online if you have muscle weakness that doesn’t improve.