Not all reasons for this common symptom are serious, but some require immediate medical care.
it’s possible for you to usually ease pain and improve mobility through rest and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs.
Several areas of the brain work together to move your legs.
Geber 86 / Getty Images
Cerebrovascular Accident
The medical term for a common stroke is cerebrovascular accident (CVA).
Leg weakness may occur as a result of a stroke.
When it does, it comes on suddenly and usually just one leg is affected.
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy can help some people regain function.
Approximately one-third of people who have a TIA will have a stroke in the future.
Aspirin and antiplatelet medications are typically prescribed for people at high risk of a stroke.
There are more than 100 different autoimmune diseases.
Here are some common ones that can cause leg weakness.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Guillain-Barresyndrome (GBS)is a nerve disease.
It affects between 3,000 and 6,000 Americans per year.
GBS typically starts with tingling or numbness in both feet.
Healthcare providers closely monitor the oxygen levels of people with GBS.
Medications for GBS can reduce the symptoms and hasten recovery.
Most people with GBS survive, but some have persistent leg sensations or moderate weakness for months or years.
MS often causes weakness in one leg, but it can also affect both legs.
One-sided leg weakness can be an early sign, and it may range from mild to severe.
Multiple sclerosis symptomstypically come and go.
Episodes may last for a few weeks or months.
They generally improve but may have some lasting effects.
If your symptoms are vague and intermittent, get an appointment with your regular healthcare provider.
MS is a serious, chronic condition but not usually a medical emergency.
AnMS diagnosistakes time and a lot of tests.
Weakness in the legs is among the common symptoms.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s diseaseis a condition that affects the brain and nervous system.
People with Parkinson’s disease gradually lose their ability to control their movements.
One of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is weakness in the legs.
There is no cure for DMD.
Medications, though, can help reduce or slow down damage to the muscles.
It generally gets worse within a few years of diagnosis.
ALS causes body weakness but doesn’t interfere with thinking or vision.
It typically begins with tingling and weakness, which can be in the legs.
Muscle twitches usually occur later as the disease progresses.
This disease affects both sides of the body.
Even so, early symptoms may be more noticeable on one side.
ALS weakness can become severe throughout the body.
Muscles of the mouth may become too weak for speech.
New technologies are making it easier for people with ALS to communicate through eye movements.
It may affect one or both sides.
Generally, a pinched nerve starts with mild or moderate tingling or discomfort and slowly gets worse.
Sometimes, pain and weakness can become severe.
Pinched nerves are often caused byarthritisor spinal inflammation.
Sciatica
Sciaticais due to inflammation or compression of thesciatic nervein the lower spine.
Spinal stenosis most commonly affects the lower back (lumbar stenosis), often in older people.
Osteoarthritis is a common cause.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary.
Spinal injury, especially, can be quite serious.
But if you have severe damage to your spine or a spinal nerve, you might not feel it.
Treatments depend on the specific bang out and extent of the injury.
Always treat a traumatic injury to the legs or spine as an emergency.
Prompt medical care can prevent permanent damage and leg weakness.
Neuropathy
Neuropathyis pain that results from damaged nerves.
Symptoms of neuropathy tend to come on gradually and affect both sides.
They include:
See your healthcare provider if you experience odd sensations in your feet or legs.
It is important to get a diagnosis before the damage progresses.
Neuropathy can be managed but usually not reversed.
Treatment may include pain relievers, prescription medications, and/or lidocaine patches and injections.
In some cases, neuropathy can be treated with surgery.
Examples of myopathies include:
Some of these are genetic; others are not and may develop during adulthood.
They can impact one or both legs.
Myopathy symptoms generally start gradually and progress over time.
Some types of myopathy may become severe within a few days or weeks of starting.
Myopathies can be diagnosed withelectromyography (EMG)and nerve conduction studies.
Treatments can include supportive braces, physical therapy, and medications.
A vitamin B12 deficiency is common with vegetarians and older adults at greatest risk.
you could reverse these problems with B12 supplements taken orally or via injections.
Drug Toxicity
Certain medications can cause leg weakness.
Sometimes this is because the dosage is too high or due to an individual reaction to a certain drug.
You may be experiencing toxicity and will need to stop the medication or have your dosage adjusted.
Cancer
Canceris one of the least likely causes of leg weakness.
However, leg weakness can occasionally be the first sign of a brain or spinal tumor.
Cancer can also metastasize (spread) to the brain or spine, causing weakness in the legs.
Symptoms can be sudden and may affect one side or both.
Let your healthcare provider know about your symptoms right away.
Many tumors can be effectively treated with surgery,radiation, and/or chemotherapy.
A spinal cord compression from a metastatic tumor may require urgent treatment with high-dose steroids.
Often, catching the problem early can keep it from getting worse.
Treatment for leg weakness depends on the severity of the underlying cause.
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