Why do my legs feel shaky and weak?

People will often experience shaky or weak legs when dealing with vascular issues in the leg, like deep vein thrombosis or blood clots. Clots are very serious if untreated because they could break off into the bloodstream and travel to an artery in the lungs, blocking blood flow.


What do shaky legs indicate?

In many cases, the underlying condition is not serious. However, leg shaking can be a symptom of some very serious medical conditions if accompanied by other symptoms. These include Parkinson's disease, neuropathy, and anxiety. Delaying treatment allows the problem to get worse.

What illness causes weakness in legs?

Here we'll discuss 11 common causes of leg weakness and other symptoms you need to know.
  • Slipped disc. ...
  • Stroke. ...
  • Guillain-Barré syndrome. ...
  • Multiple sclerosis. ...
  • Pinched nerve. ...
  • Peripheral neuropathy. ...
  • Parkinson's disease. ...
  • Myasthenia gravis.


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 and unstable?

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.


Peripheral Vascular Disease: Leg Weakness, Symptoms and Treatment



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.

Can anxiety cause weak legs?

Another common symptom of chronic anxiety is weakness in the muscles, most commonly experienced in the legs and sometimes the arms. During the fight or flight response, the body is preparing to take action against danger.

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.


How do you test for weak legs?

Rising from a squatting position or stepping onto a chair tests proximal leg strength; walking on the heels and on tiptoe tests distal strength. Pushing with the arms to get out of a chair indicates quadriceps weakness.

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.

Can dehydration cause weak legs?

Muscle cramps or weakness

Another sign of dehydration is a feeling of weakness in certain muscles or severe muscle cramps. The cramps can be caused by electrolyte imbalances and reduced blood flow to those muscles.


How do you fix shaky legs?

Lifestyle and home remedies
  1. Try baths and massages. Soaking in a warm bath and massaging the legs can relax the muscles.
  2. Apply warm or cool packs. ...
  3. Establish good sleep hygiene. ...
  4. Exercise. ...
  5. Avoid caffeine. ...
  6. Consider using a foot wrap or a vibrating pad.


What to do when you have shaky legs?

Stress management and relaxation techniques such as yoga or massage can be used to help leg shaking that is caused by anxiety or Parkinson's disease. 10. Avoiding certain triggers such as stimulants, alcohol use, or other drugs that cause leg shaking.

Can anxiety cause shaky legs?

Your body prepares to deal with the stressor, interpreting the anxiousness as a signal that you'll need to stand your ground or escape from danger. Your muscles become primed to act, leading to a trembling sensation, twitching, or shaking.


How do I fix my weak legs?

How Can I Improve My Leg Strength?
  1. Aerobic exercises like walking, stationary cycling, and water aerobics are great low-impact ways to improve your blood flow and muscle strength.
  2. Heel raises.
  3. Calf stretches.
  4. Hamstring stretches.
  5. Tandem balance exercises.


How do you cure weak legs?

Leg Weakness Treatment
  1. Medications. Different medications can be described to help with leg weakness based on the underlying cause. ...
  2. Surgery. Some conditions that cause leg weakness can be treated with surgery, such as hyperthyroidism or a herniated disc.
  3. Physical Therapy. ...
  4. Dietary Changes. ...
  5. Mobility Aids.


What makes your legs feel like jello?

The “jelly legs” feeling, which typically refers to feelings of weakness, dizziness, or loss of control in the legs, is often caused by a rush of adrenaline taking blood away from the legs, though there may be other causes.


What are weird symptoms of anxiety?

  • Excessive yawning. During anxiety attacks, hyperventilation is a common response leading your body to feel it isn't getting enough oxygen. ...
  • Phantom smell. ...
  • Brain shivers or zaps. ...
  • ‍Phantom vibrations. ...
  • Tremors. ...
  • ‍Derealization. ...
  • Globus hystericus. ...
  • Eye problems.


What are the first signs of a weak heart?

Heart failure signs and symptoms may include:
  • Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down.
  • Fatigue and weakness.
  • Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
  • Reduced ability to exercise.
  • Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged mucus.
  • Swelling of the belly area (abdomen)


What do blocked arteries in legs feel like?

Claudication is a symptom of a narrowing or blockage of an artery. Typical symptoms of claudication include: Pain, a burning feeling, or a tired feeling in the legs and buttocks when you walk. Shiny, hairless, blotchy foot skin that may get sores.


What are the four signs of heart failure?

Symptoms of heart failure include:
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Feeling tired (fatigue) and having leg weakness when you're active.
  • Swelling in your ankles, legs and abdomen.
  • Weight gain.
  • Need to urinate while resting at night.
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeats (palpitations).
  • A dry, hacking cough.


Why do I feel jittery and shaky?

This is normal and is known as a “physiologic tremor.” Certain factors can make the tremor more noticeable, including stress or anxiety, caffeine consumption, and lack of sleep. In some cases, severe or persistent tremors may indicate an underlying medical condition or a side effect of a particular medication.

What vitamin deficiency causes shaky legs?

However, tremors and other movement disorders are associated with vitamin deficiency, most vitamins B1, B6 and especially B12. B12 is very important for keeping your nervous system in good working order. Severe lack of Vitamin B12 is rare, but shakiness and tremors can occur even in mild deficiency.


Is leg shaking a disorder?

Primary orthostatic tremor is a rare movement disorder characterized by a rapid tremor in the legs that occurs when standing. The tremor disappears partially or completely when an affected person is walking or sitting. Individuals with primary orthostatic tremor experience feelings of unsteadiness or imbalance.

How can I rehydrate quickly?

If you're worried about your or someone else's hydration status, here are the 5 best ways to rehydrate quickly.
  1. Water. ...
  2. Coffee and tea. ...
  3. Skim and low fat milk. ...
  4. 4. Fruits and vegetables. ...
  5. Oral hydration solutions.