Arm Weakness: Common Causes and When to Seek Help

Causes of Arm Weakness

• The blockage or rupture of a brain artery causes severe symptoms that must be treated immediately. The blockage can be temporary or transitory and go away independently after a few hours or minutes.
• An arm injury, sudden or over time, can lead to weakness.
• Direct trauma from a fall or accident can cause localised damage to the nerves or muscles in the arm.
• An overuse injury, also known as a repetitive stress injury (RSI), can become permanent if not treated on time. It is caused by long-term damage to the nerves, muscles, and tendons in the arm or shoulder from prolonged periods of exercising the arm with the same movement.
• Simple fatigue from unaccustomed exercise can also cause RSI.
• Arm weakness refers to the loss of strength in the arm and the inability to move the arm due to decreased muscle strength. Overusing the affected arm can cause pain, protection, and subjective weakness.
• Nerve or disc damage can cause pain in the upper back and neck. The arm may appear weak because you are trying not to use it.
• A rupture or other damage to a cervical disc causes pain when the fluid between the spine's bones that cushions it is lost. Normal aging also wears down bones and cartilage.
• Crowding of the nerve roots in the neck can cause arm weakness and pain.
• Arthritis in the spine can cause bone spurs that pinch on nerves.
• Narrowing of the spinal cord can cause pressure on the spinal cord.
• Thyroid disorders also raise the risk, for reasons that are not entirely apparent, of carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Diabetesrelated nerve damage can increase the risk of nerve compression.
• Obesity or Higher body weight can put more pressure on nerves, increasing the risk of compression.

Symptoms of Arm Weakness

Arm weakness can occur on one or both sides of the body, accompany weakness in other parts of the body, and be accompanied by various other signs, including arm pain.

Arm weakness can accompany other symptoms, including:

• Lump in the arm
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Muscle Pain
• Reduced mobility (range of motion of the joints)
• Shoulder, arm, hand, or finger pain
• Swollen joints
• Confusion or loss of consciousness
• Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking
• Muscle spasms
• Lump in the arm
• Numbness or tingling
• Paralysis
• Fever
• Itching
• Malaise or lethargy
• Redness, warmth, or swelling in the arm

When Should You Visit a Doctor?

Take doctor help if you are having any of these symptoms;

• Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as fainting or unresponsiveness.
• Incomprehensible or slurred speech
• High fever
• Paralysis or inability to move a part of the body
• Sudden weakness, numbness or tingling on one side of the body
• Changes or loss of vision
• The worst headache of your life

Diagnosis of Arm Weakness

Based on your symptoms, the following tests can help your doctor make a diagnosis:

• They may ask you to raise your arms or make other simple movements to assess your range of motion. This can help them identify the location and cause of possible injury or pain.
• Blood testing can help the doctor diagnose diseases like asthma that can cause arm pain or conditions that cause joint inflammation.
• Your doctor will detect broken or cracked bones by taking X-rays.
• If your doctor thinks your arm pain is associated with possible heart complications, they may order tests to assess how well your heart is working and to evaluate the blood flow through your heart.
• Ultrasoundsuse high-frequency sound waves to take pictures of the inside of the body. They can help your doctor find joint, ligament and tendon problems.
• Your doctor may order MRIs and CT scans to obtain a more detailed image of your soft tissues and bones, which can help them spot problems.

Treatment Options For Severe Weakness in Arms

For many forms of arm pain, self-care and medical arm weakness treatments are sufficient to resolve the pain effectively.

• Pain medicines:In some cases, the pain in your arm may be severe enough that your doctor will prescribe pain relievers.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs:Anti-inflammatory medicines such as corticosteroids can help reduce the cause of pain. They are available as oral, injection and intravenous medication.
• Physical therapy:You may need to treat some arm pain with physical therapy, especially when your range of motion is limited.
• Surgery:In severe cases of arm pain, surgery may be necessary, such as for torn ligaments andfractured bones.

Home Remedies for Arm Weakness

• Reduce your strength: Wait to press the keys too hard if you are typing or operating a cash register.
• Relax your grip: Remember to use a pen, handle, or anything simpler than necessary to perform the task.
• Take breaks: Even short breaks from repetitive tasks can help you avoid injury, especially if you use these moments to stretch and bend your hands and wrists.
• Heat therapy: Tight muscles can be relaxed by applying heat.
• Ice therapy: Applying ice can help decrease pain and swelling.
• Observe your shape and posture: When performing tasks, don't bend your wrists too much in either direction and do not hunch your shoulders forward.
• Mouse Position: Make sure your hand can comfortably reach the mouse. You may need to experiment with different positions and products to achieve this arrow. Stay warm. Keep your hands warm when performing tasks, and wear gloves.
• Mix up your exercise: Don't do the same type of exercise every day. A varied exercise routine is less likely to cause injury.
• Stretch after exercise: Work on increasing your range of motion once your muscles are warm.