Generalized muscle weakness
Generalized weakness or decreased strength of the muscles, affecting both distal and proximal musculature.
Also called: Generalised muscle weakness, Generalised weakness, Generalized weakness, Muscle weakness, diffuse, Muscle weakness, generalised, Muscle weakness, generalized.
Conditions associated with generalized muscle weakness
The following conditions have been associated with generalized muscle weakness in medical literature. This is informational and not a diagnosis.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Autosomal dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2Z
Autosomal dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2Z is a medical condition that may be associated with vari...
Bartter disease type 1
Bartter disease type 1 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Bartter disease type 2
Any Bartter syndrome in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the KCNJ1 gene....
Brown-Vialetto-van Laere syndrome 1
Any Brown-Vialetto-van Laere syndrome in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the SLC52A3 gene....
Congenital fiber-type disproportion myopathy
Congenital fiber-type disproportion myopathy is a medical condition that may be associated with various sympto...
Congenital myasthenic syndrome
Congenital myasthenic syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 122
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 122 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
Distal Xq28 microduplication syndrome
Distal Xq28 microduplication syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and ...
Gitelman syndrome
Gitelman syndrome (GS), also referred to as familial hypokalemia-hypomagnesemia, is characterized by hypokalem...
Glycogen storage disease due to acid maltase deficiency
Glycogen storage disease due to acid maltase deficiency is a medical condition that may be associated with var...
Glycogen storage disease due to acid maltase deficiency, infantile onset
Glycogen storage disease due to acid maltase deficiency, infantile onset is a medical condition that may be as...
Huntington disease
Huntington disease is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
IgG4-related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis
IgG4-related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis is a medical condition that may be associated with various sympto...
Insulinoma
Insulinoma is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Isolated succinate-CoQ reductase deficiency
Isolated succinate-CoQ reductase deficiency is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptom...
Kufor-Rakeb syndrome
Kufor-Rakeb syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Late-onset distal myopathy, Markesbery-Griggs type
Late-onset distal myopathy, Markesbery-Griggs type is a medical condition that may be associated with various ...
Mercury poisoning
Mercury poisoning is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, myopathic form
Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, myopathic form is a medical condition that may be associated with variou...
Mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiency
Mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiency is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
Multiple congenital anomalies-hypotonia-seizures syndrome
Multiple congenital anomalies-hypotonia-seizures syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with v...
Nemaline myopathy 3
Nemaline myopathy 3 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome
Non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with variou...
Non-progressive predominantly posterior cavitating leukoencephalopathy with peripheral neuropathy
Non-progressive predominantly posterior cavitating leukoencephalopathy with peripheral neuropathy is a medical...
Plectin-related limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R17
Plectin-related limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R17 is a medical condition that may be associated with various ...
Postencephalitic parkinsonism
Postencephalitic parkinsonism is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Presynaptic congenital myasthenic syndromes
Presynaptic congenital myasthenic syndromes is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptom...
Synaptic congenital myasthenic syndrome
Synaptic congenital myasthenic syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms an...
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and si...
VIPoma
VIPoma is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
congenital generalized lipodystrophy type 4
Any congenital generalized lipodystrophy in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the CAVIN1 gene....
congenital myasthenic syndrome 1A
Any congenital myasthenic syndrome in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the CHRNA1 gene....
congenital myasthenic syndrome 5
Congenital myasthenic syndrome caused by mutation(s) in the COLQ gene, encoding acetylcholinesterase collageni...
congenital myasthenic syndrome 9
Any congenital myasthenic syndrome in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the MUSK gene....
congenital myopathy 10b, mild variant
congenital myopathy 10b, mild variant is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and ...
congenital myopathy 22A, classic
congenital myopathy 22A, classic is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs...
congenital myopathy 4A, autosomal dominant
congenital myopathy 4A, autosomal dominant is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms...
congenital myopathy 7A, myosin storage, autosomal dominant
congenital myopathy 7A, myosin storage, autosomal dominant is a medical condition that may be associated with ...
mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome 4b
mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome 4b is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms an...
Tests providers may use to investigate generalized muscle weakness
When investigating generalized muscle weakness, a healthcare provider may order one or more of the following laboratory tests. Test selection is a clinical decision made by a qualified professional.
CBC with Differential
Measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to help evaluate overall health and detect disorder...
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Measures 14 substances in the blood to assess kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar ...
Urinalysis
Examines urine content to help detect urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes....
Symptoms commonly seen alongside generalized muscle weakness
Dysphagia
Difficulty in swallowing....
Fatigue
A subjective feeling of tiredness characterized by a lack of energy and motivation....
Fever
Body temperature elevated above the normal range....
Headache
Cephalgia, or pain sensed in various parts of the head, not confined to the area of distribution of any nerve....
Muscle weakness
Reduced strength of muscles....
Seizure
A seizure is an intermittent abnormality of nervous system physiology characterized by a transient occurrence ...
When to seek care
Seek care from a qualified healthcare provider if generalized muscle weakness is severe, persistent, worsening, or accompanied by concerning symptoms. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the symptom generalized muscle weakness mean?
Generalized muscle weakness is a health sign or symptom described in medical literature. Generalized weakness or decreased strength of the muscles, affecting both distal and proximal musculature.
Which conditions are associated with generalized muscle weakness?
Generalized muscle weakness has been reported in association with 46 conditions in the medical literature we index, including Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Autosomal dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2Z, Bartter disease type 1, Bartter disease type 2, Brown-Vialetto-van Laere syndrome 1. These associations do not mean you have any of these conditions.
Should I see a doctor about generalized muscle weakness?
You should discuss any persistent or concerning symptoms with a qualified healthcare provider. This website does not provide diagnosis. If you have severe symptoms or signs of a medical emergency, seek care immediately.