What are weak legs a symptom of?

Leg weakness can result from sciatica, spine conditions, neuromuscular disease, and certain medications. Sudden leg weakness may be a sign of stroke. Call 911 for any sudden muscle weakness, particularly if it occurs with facial drooping, severe headache, or slurred speech.

What illness causes weakness in legs?

What is the most common cause of leg weakness?

Issues involving the spinal cord are the most prevalent source of leg weakness. A narrowed spinal canal, or stenosis, puts pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. You might experience pain, tingling, heaviness or weakness in the legs.

When should I be concerned about leg weakness?

It is serious if your leg weakness is due to stroke: If your leg weakness is sudden in onset and associated with numbness, arm weakness or numbness, vision problems, trouble with balancing or trouble speaking, these may be symptoms of a stroke and you should immediately seek medical attention.

Why do my legs feel weak when I walk?

Poor circulation. Your legs may feel tired or fatigued if your blood isn't circulating through your body properly. Poor circulation often affects the lower part of your body since it's harder for blood to flow upward toward your heart. Sometimes blood can collect in your legs, ankles, and feet.

Peripheral Vascular Disease: Leg Weakness, Symptoms and Treatment

How do I get rid of weakness in my legs?

Can heart problems cause weakness in legs?

As a result, people with heart failure often feel weak (especially in their arms and legs), tired and have difficulty performing ordinary activities such as walking, climbing stairs or carrying groceries.

What kind of doctor should I see for leg weakness?

An orthopedist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and conditions that affect the bones and soft tissues. Seeking treatment from an orthopedist can help you avoid complications down the road.

Why do my legs just give out?

Weakness in your leg(s) may occur from problems in the nerves and/or muscles in your lower body and is usually treatable. Rarely, the underlying cause may be a serious medical condition requiring immediate medical attention. A feeling of sudden weakness in the legs may be due to nerve and/or muscle dysfunction.

What does leg weakness feel like in MS?

Over time, your muscles can get weaker and weaker. Some people with MS find that their muscles tire more easily than usual. For example, someone with MS might find that their legs might start to feel unstable or they may have trouble moving them after periods of exercise, like walking.

What kind of diseases affect legs?

What illnesses affect your legs?

What causes weakness in legs and balance problems?

Peripheral nerves

The nerves outside of your brain and spinal cord can become damaged, which is called peripheral neuropathy. Weakness, numbness, pain and balance issues can be caused by peripheral neuropathy because it makes it difficult to determine where your body is relative to other objects or the ground.

What causes muscle weakness in legs?

Muscle weakness is commonly due to lack of exercise, ageing, muscle injury or pregnancy. It can also occur with long-term conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. There are many other possible causes, which include stroke, multiple sclerosis, depression, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME).

Why do older people's legs give out?

According to LiveStrong.com, sitting down for long periods of time, “can cause muscle fibers to break down. This is known as muscle atrophy and can make your leg muscles weak over time.” Some easy ways to avoid prolonged sitting and standing are to take a walk or climb stairs.

What are signs that you need to see a neurologist?

What does congestive heart failure look like in your legs?

Blood often backs up and causes fluid to build up in the lungs (congest) and in the legs. The fluid buildup can cause shortness of breath and swelling of the legs and feet. Poor blood flow may cause the skin to appear blue (cyanotic).

What are the first signs of a weak heart?

Can high blood pressure make your legs feel weak?

High blood pressure is a risk factor for poor circulation, a condition also medically diagnosed as peripheral arterial disease, causing symptoms such as leg aches and pain, leg cramps in the calf or thighs while exercising or weakness in the legs.

Why do I feel like I can't walk properly?

Cuts, bruises, or bone fractures can temporarily make it difficult to walk. However, diseases that affect the legs, brain, nerves, or spine can cause walking abnormalities. The most common causes of walking abnormalities include: arthritis.

Why do my legs feel heavy and tired?

The main cause of heavy legs is generally poor blood circulation. Blood circulation problems generally occur in the lower part of your body, especially your legs. This is because the lower section of your body needs to fight against gravity to transfer the blood back up to your heart.

How do you check circulation in your legs?

Arterial Doppler Ultrasound

A Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images that highlight blood flow in the leg arteries. This test detects and evaluates any blockages caused by plaque buildup.

Does leg pain indicate heart problems?

Leg Pain Can Indicate Risk for a Heart Attack or Stroke

Peripheral artery disease that causes leg pain can be indicative of heart issues. People that have PAD are at a higher risk of having a stroke or heart attack. This could be a sign that the coronary arteries are blocked and the blood flow is reduced.

What are the symptoms of vascular disease in the legs?

Numbness, weakness, or heaviness in muscles. Pain (described as burning or aching) at rest, commonly in the toes and at night while lying flat. Paleness when the legs are elevated. Reddish-blue discoloration of the extremities.

What causes sudden leg weakness in elderly?

Poor Circulation

Poor circulation often causes leg weakness. This condition is caused by plaque build-up in the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to the muscles and tissues of the body. The build-up causes blood to move slower, thus resulting in muscle fatigue and weakness.