The term asthenia refers to physical weakness or a lack of energy. Asthenia can affect specific body parts, or it may affect the entire body.
Asthenia is not a disease, but it is a common sign of many different acute and chronic medical conditions. Asthenia can also develop as a side-effect of certain medications.
This article outlines the causes and symptoms of asthenia. It also provides information on how doctors diagnose and treat the causes and underlying conditions that lead to asthenia.
Potential causes of asthenia include:
According to an older article, asthenia is a common symptom of various conditions, including:
Certain medications can cause side effects, such as weakness and fatigue.
Examples of these medications include:
Aging can also cause sarcopenia, which is the gradual loss of muscle tissue and strength. This overall loss of muscle strength can lead to asthenia or more widespread fatigue.
Depending on the cause, asthenia may cause regional weakness or full-body weakness.
Regional weakness from asthenia occurs in certain body parts, such as the arms or legs. It isnt the same as paralysis, which is the inability to move. A person with regional weakness due to asthenia may feel like they have to put in a great deal of effort to move.
The body parts experiencing regional weakness may also display additional symptoms, such as:
Full-body weakness affects the entire body. A person may also experience extreme tiredness or fatigue.
Other possible signs and symptoms of full-body weakness include:
In rare cases, asthenia could be a sign of a stroke or heart attack. Both conditions can cause weakness in one or both sides of the body.
Stroke may cause other sudden and severe symptoms, such as:
A heart attack may also cause other sudden and severe symptoms. Examples include:
Anyone who experiences symptoms of a stroke or heart attack should phone the emergency services immediately. Without prompt treatment, these conditions can quickly lead to severe complications or death.
Doctors may find diagnosing asthenia challenging because there are many possible causes.
A doctor will typically ask about a persons symptoms and take a full medical and family history. They will also assess any medications the person is currently taking to determine if they are causing the persons symptoms.
If a person experiences localized weakness, a doctor might also carry out a detailed physical examination of the affected body part.
After conducting the initial assessment, the doctor may have a better idea of what is causing the asthenia. They may follow up with one or more diagnostic tests, including:
The type of treatment a person receives will depend on the cause of their asthenia.
In some cases, asthenia may disappear following treatment for an acute illness.
For example, asthenia that develops from a bacterial infection should go away after a person completes a course of antibiotics.
Sometimes, asthenia may be due to a more chronic medical condition. To treat the asthenia, a doctor will need to diagnose and manage the underlying condition successfully.
Some chronic conditions will require long-term management. For example, people living with multiple sclerosis will receive ongoing rehabilitation, emotional support, and medications to manage the symptoms.
Some people may experience asthenia as a side effect of a particular medication. Where possible, a doctor may recommend lowering the dose of the drug or switching to an alternative.
However, a person should never adjust their medication dose or stop taking a medication unless their doctor has told them it is safe to do so.
Asthenia and myasthenia are different conditions that involve weakness in one or more parts of the body.
Myasthenia or myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease. In MG, the immune system recurrently attacks a particular part of the bodys nerves and muscles. This causes the muscles to become weak and tire easily.
The symptoms of MG tend to worsen when a person is tired and may include:
Although there is no cure for MG, there are medications that can help to manage the condition.
It is not always possible to prevent asthenia. However, living a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of chronic diseases that can cause asthenia.
Some steps a person can take to lower their risk of developing asthenia include:
Some cases of asthenia will pass on their own. However, people who experience persistent or frequent episodes of asthenia should see a doctor. They may have an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.
A person should seek emergency medical attention for asthenia symptoms that occur alongside symptoms of heart attack or stroke.
Asthenia is a symptom of an underlying condition. As such, it should go away following the successful treatment of the condition causing it. Chronic conditions may require life-long management to keep the symptom at bay.
In cases where asthenia is a side effect of a particular medication, a doctor may recommend lowering the drug dose or switching to an alternative. This should help to eliminate the asthenia.
However, some people may be unable to adjust or change their medication safely. If this is the case, a doctor may prescribe additional medicines alongside their regular medication to help control the asthenia.
Asthenia can sometimes be a symptom of a life-threatening condition, such as a heart attack or stroke. Anyone who experiences asthenia alongside symptoms of either of these conditions should phone the emergency services. Prompt treatment is vital to prevent complications and death.
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Asthenia (weakness): Causes, symptoms, and treatment - Medical News Today
