What causes weak legs and loss of balance?

Leg weakness can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, some of which are serious. Possible causes include stroke, systemic diseases, inflammatory conditions, nerve damage, muscle disorders, and medication side effects.

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Why do my legs feel weak and unsteady?

Weakness in the legs can be caused by many different conditions, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or called Lou Gehrig's disease), bulging/herniated (slipped) disc, Cauda equina syndrome, Guillain-Barré syndrome, autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, pinched ...

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What neurological conditions cause balance problems?

Neurological Conditions

Illnesses like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and cervical spondylosis slowly damage the way your nervous system talks to your brain, which can affect your balance. Physical therapy can help you manage the symptoms.

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What can causes sudden loss of strength in legs?

Common causes of sudden leg weakness include drop attacks, the Guillain–Barr syndrome and nontraumatic spinal cord compression due to metastatic tumour or an epidural abscess.

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What illness causes weakness in legs?

Leg weakness can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, some of which are serious. Possible causes include stroke, systemic diseases, inflammatory conditions, nerve damage, muscle disorders, and medication side effects.

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Difficulty Walking and Loss of Balance | Causes and Treatments

24 related questions found

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.

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Why do I lose balance when I walk?

Loss of balance or unsteadiness

Losing your balance while walking, or feeling imbalanced, can result from: Vestibular problems. Abnormalities in your inner ear can cause a sensation of a floating or heavy head and unsteadiness in the dark. Nerve damage to your legs (peripheral neuropathy).

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What organ affects balance?

The ear is a sensory organ that picks up sound waves, allowing us to hear. It is also essential to our sense of balance: the organ of balance (the vestibular system) is found inside the inner ear.

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What causes balance problems walking?

Causes of balance problems include medications, ear infection, a head injury, or anything else that affects the inner ear or brain. Low blood pressure can lead to dizziness when you stand up too quickly.

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What does MS leg weakness feel like?

Legs like jelly or noodles, or legs that feel heavy like cement. These are some of the ways MyMSTeam members describe leg weakness, a common symptom of MS. Leg weakness can come on suddenly and may happen after exertion.

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What causes legs to give out?

Causes of nerve damage include direct injury, tumor growth on the spine, prolonged pressure on the spine, and diabetes. A spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injuries are among the most common reasons that legs give out. These injuries vary in severity but should always be evaluated immediately by a spine specialist.

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Why do I feel off balance but not dizzy?

Common causes include inner ear problems, medicines, infections, and traumatic brain injury. These disorders can occur at any age. But they are most common as you get older. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and can include medicine, rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes.

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What medications cause weak legs?

Examples of medications that can cause muscle weakness include:
  • amiodarone (Cordarone)
  • antithyroid medications, such as methimazole (Tapazole) or propylthiouracil.
  • antiretroviral medicines, such as lamivudine (Epivir) or zidovudine (Retrovir)
  • chemotherapy medications.
  • cimetidine (Tagamet)
  • corticosteroids.

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When should I be worried about my balance?

A spinning sensation when you're not actually moving (vertigo) Veering side to side as you walk. Falling, or feeling like you are going to fall. Constant motion sensitivity.

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What medications can cause balance problems?

Medication Side Effects Can Cause Your Balance To Hang In The Balance
  • Antidepressants.
  • Blood pressure medications.
  • Heart medications.
  • Anti-anxiety drugs.
  • Sleeping aids.
  • Antihistamines for allergy relief.
  • Prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers.

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What health condition affects balance?

Certain conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, or problems with your vision, thyroid, nerves, or blood vessels can cause dizziness and other balance problems.

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What deficiency causes balance problems?

Untreated, vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems, such as persistent tingling in the hands and feet or problems with balance. It can lead to mental confusion and forgetfulness because vitamin B-12 is necessary for healthy brain function.

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At what age does balance decline?

Researchers have found that balance begins to decline in midlife, starting at about age 50. In one recent study, adults in their 30s and 40s could stand on one foot for a minute or more. At age 50, the time decreased to 45 seconds. At 70, study participants managed 28 seconds.

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Should I see a neurologist for balance issues?

Diagnosing the underlying cause of imbalance is difficult because there are many potential causes. Your primary care physician may refer you to a neurologist, otolaryngologist, or neuro-otologist for further diagnosis. Tests that may be used to determine the cause of imbalance include: Audiometric (hearing) tests.

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What are the first signs of a weak heart?

Common symptoms are:
  • Cough.
  • Fatigue, weakness, faintness.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Need to urinate at night.
  • Pulse that feels fast or irregular, or a sensation of feeling the heartbeat (palpitations)
  • Shortness of breath when you are active or after you lie down.
  • Swollen (enlarged) liver or abdomen.
  • Swollen feet and ankles.

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What are the symptoms of heart problems in the legs?

Pain, achiness, fatigue, burning, or discomfort in the muscles of your feet, calves, or thighs. Symptoms that often appear during walking or exercise, and go away after several minutes of rest. Numbness in your legs or feet when you are at rest. Your legs may also feel cool to the touch, and the skin may look pale.

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What are the early warning signs of congestive heart failure?

Symptoms
  • 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.
  • Wheezing.
  • A cough that doesn't go away or a cough that brings up white or pink mucus with spots of blood.
  • Swelling of the belly area.

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Why do I feel like I'm swaying when standing?

Do you feel like you're swaying, spinning, tilting, or generally off balance? You could be suffering from vertigo. Vertigo most often the result of a problem with your inner ear.

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Why do I lose my balance when I bend over?

Feeling dizzy when bending over may be due to a number of possible reasons. Causes can include poor circulation, low blood sugar, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease, and more. A person should see a doctor if the dizziness is frequent or severe enough to interfere with daily activities.

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