Feeling Weak in the Legs?

1 Medicine. remarkable 16, 2012 Feeling Weak in the legs ?- continued next pageS. A. HeltonSt. Joseph Mercy HospitalDo you have a hard time getting up from the couch? Do your legs feel rubberyafter playing nine holes of golf?There are many reasons that your legs might feel weak or tired, andmost of them involve medical conditions and disorders that occurmore frequently in older individuals. That doesn t mean, however, thatyou should give up and stay at OR FATIGUE?The wobbly legs you re Feeling on the golf course could simply be anatural consequence of doing too much at one time without properpreparation. After extended inactivity, muscle strength and staminaare slower to return at age 70 than at age 50. Ultimately, what youneed, though, is more activity, not less, on the golf course or else-where to get you in are other reasons you could feel more tired than usual: anunderactive or even an overactive thyroid, certain medications,depression or emotional WEAKNESSS udden severe weakness, particularly when it affects only one leg or oneside of the body, is an ominous sign of a life threatening stroke ortransient ischemic attack that requires immediate medical onset of weakness anywhere in the body can likewise be asign of a serious illness such as Lou Gehrig s disease, multiple sclero-sis (MS), myasthenia gravis or even cancer.

2 More commonly, it can beattributed to age-related loss of muscle mass known as weakness occurs frequently in the quadriceps muscles atthe front of the thigh. The cause is not always clear, but the progres-sive weakness affects many basic activities standing up, sitting down,getting out of a car and climbing stairs. Weak quads can slow youdown in nearly all everyday activities and affect your gait and balance,making you more vulnerable to ARTHRITISWhen you struggle getting up from your chair, you may think of it as arthritis creeping upIf you have questions about programs and services of St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron, pleasevisit us online at: To find a physician near you, call toll-free 2St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron O 2601 Electric Avenue, Port Huron, MI 48060 O of and Treatments for Leg Weakness- continued- continued next pageon you. And inflammation in the knee joint, caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthri-tis, can cause weakness as well as stiffness in the thigh works the other way around too: muscle weakness puts extra stress on the knee joint,causing arthritis-like symptoms or making existing arthritis and stiffness in the legs can quickly cause a downward spiral of hurts, but lack of movement makes things worse.

3 And eventually it becomesdifficult to move at s now known that the best way to prevent or relieve the effects of arthritis is toexercise regularly: strengthening and stretching the muscles needed to support andprotect the you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, you should talk to your doctor aboutwhat activities are best for you. But the need for regular physical activity is A PINCHED NERVE THE SOURCE OF WEAKNESS?One very common reason for loss of strength in leg muscles is that a nerve has been pinchedor compressed as it exits the spinal sciatic nerve, for example, passes down the back of your leg. Compression of thenerve in the vertebrae of the lower back or the muscles of the hip or thigh can causepain, numbness and tingling anywhere along the path of this long nerve. In some cases,compression of leg nerves can also cause atrophy of muscles, leading to weakness pain and tingling caused by a compressed nerve may prompt you to quit using theaffected limb, but that is a big mistake.

4 Low-impact cardiovascular exercise such aswalking can help reduce the inflammation that is irritating the CAUSES OF LEG PAIND iseased arteries in the leg referred to as peripheral artery disease (PAD) can cause pain inthe leg (usually the calf). This typically occurs after you ve walked a certain distance orfor a certain period of time. It s a sign that blood is not flowing through the arteries fastenough to nourish the known as intermittent claudication, PAD requires medical treatment. If the arteries inyour legs are clogged, there is a good chance that blood vessels closer to your heart may beaffected as well. A doctor can help you find ways to manage the most cases, treatment involves walking as far and as fast as the pain will allow beforeresting. This helps the body build alternate routes for blood flow. Weight loss and smokingcessation also AND STRENGTHENBy now, you ve probably noted the pattern.

5 Even though weak, stiff, tired, painfulIf you have questions about programs and services of St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron, pleasevisit us online at: To find a physician near you, call toll-free 3remarkable medicine. remarkable information provided in HealthyLiving is for educational purposes with your doctor directly aboutany issues that effect your : Stephanie seem to be crying out for rest, in most cases, they are better off staying counter the effects of age- or illness-related loss of muscle mass and strength, mostguidelines recommend two to three days a week of strength training with weights orresistance bands for all seniors as part of a comprehensive exercise program. For thequadriceps muscles in the thighs, lunges and squats, with or without weights, areeffective each passing year, stretching becomes increasingly important to counteract thestiffening of ligaments and you have arthritis or another medical condition that s affecting your strength andmobility, you may need the help of a physical therapist to devise the right combinationof your age, whatever your specific problem, the important thing is to keepmoving.

6 The battle against weak and stiff muscles may be the most important of yoursenior years. Don t lose to your doctor today about an exercise plan that is right for you. Need a doctor?To find a St. Joseph Mercy physician near you, visit online at ; or call thetoll-free physician referral hotline at Us Out!St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron hasexpanded our updates on facebook andtwitter. Search us and join the fun! Feeling Weak in the legs ?- continuedIf you have questions about programs and services of St. Joseph Mercy Port Huron, pleasevisit us online at: To find a physician near you, call toll-free Joseph Mercy Port Huron O 2601 Electric Avenue, Port Huron, MI 48060 O you suffer from persistent dry cough,asthma symptoms, trouble swallowing, chronicheartburn or indigestion? Have you eaten yourway through over-the-counter and prescriptionmedications with no relief? Did you know thatchronic gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD) can lead to Barrett s esophagus andpotentially esophageal cancer?

7 5:30 to 6:30 , January 14, 2013St. Joseph Mercy HospitalCost: FREE (includes refreshments)To make your reservationto attend, call:1-888-637-2963 Advanced Treatmentfor IndigestionJoin St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and Zubin Bhesania, MD, of Huron Surgical Clinic, PC, ashe explores the symptoms and treatment options for chronic heartburn and indigestion,offers an overview of GERD, Barrett s esophagus and esophageal cancer screening, andoutlines your options, including advanced laparoscopic surgical control of your Acid Reflux. Make your reservation to attend today!