Diagnosing and Differentiating Muscle Weakness, Muscle Fatigue

Questions Your Doctor Should Ask

From time to time, our health complications may result in the development of muscle weakness and fatigue. For some individuals, the complications of muscle weakness may be attributed to an infection while, for others, the complication may be indicative a far greater health concern.

Muscle weakness is a distinct complaint. Commonly confused with muscle fatigue, muscle weakness is described as a marked decrease in range of motion and strength that is persistent, even after periods of relaxation.

If, following several weeks, you experience unresolved muscle weakness, consultation with a healthcare professional is recommended. To diagnose your complication, your physician will want to obtain a complete blood panel work up to address any complications involving electrolyte imbalance, enzyme complications and presence of infection.

A medical history, including a list of medications prescribed and taken, along with a familial history may also be important. In many cases, genetic disorders involving neurological complications, and the use of prescription medications, may produce side effects that result in muscle weakness.

Beyond blood work and medical history, your physician may order a psychological evaluation to rule out any secondary psychiatric complications that may be complicating or exacerbating your symptoms. Often, in patients with fibromyalgia, depression or other psychological complications, muscle weakness, while present, may be exaggerated.

Co morbid health complications and symptoms are important to your doctor. While you may be in his office with complaints of muscle weakness, it is not uncommon to also suffer from co morbid health complications that your physician will need to be aware of. Often, these co morbid symptoms, even if they seem unrelated, may be the key factor in making the right diagnosis.