Feeling physically weak?

Do you tire quickly, or can you no longer perform a familiar movement?

A feeling of physical weakness is a subjective impression that the body does not have enough strength for usual activities. To describe your weakness more precisely, think about these questions:

• How long ago did the weakness begin, and did it appear gradually or suddenly?
• Do you feel it throughout the body or only in one part?
• Is there a real decrease in strength in your arms or legs?
• Does it change after rest, sleep or eating?
• Does the weakness appear during physical activity, or does it persist even at rest?
• Do you have dizziness, shortness of breath, palpitations or chest pain?

If the weakness came on suddenly, especially on one side of the body, stop answering the questions and call 103 or 112 in Ukraine, even if it has eased. Other signs that need urgent help are listed in the first point of the section “From calling an ambulance to a gradual recovery”.

Do not confuse weakness with tiredness

People use the word weakness for different sensations, and this affects whom to see and how urgently.

• Constant fatigue. Your muscles still have strength, but you tire quickly and rest does not help.
• Low energy. You lack the inner resource to get going, although movements come as easily as before.
• Psychomotor retardation. Movements, speech and thoughts slow down, and others notice it.
• Difficulty getting out of bed. Mornings are the hardest, and things get easier during the day.

A sudden loss of strength in an arm, a leg or one side of the face stands apart from all of these: it needs urgent help, not comparison.

Weakness at the shops and on the stairs

Zhdana’s weakness lingers after an illness, Yelysei’s built up gradually as he moved less and less, and Stepan’s came on suddenly in one arm – a reason for urgent help. Read the section “Why a precise description of weakness matters” to see how exhaustion differs from a real loss of strength.

Getting your strength back gradually

Spread out your tasks so that there is room for rest, food and sleep. You do not need to regain your previous productivity at once or increase activity despite feeling worse.

If activity makes you noticeably worse or rest does not restore your strength, describe this to a family doctor and agree with them what level of activity suits you now, given the cause of the weakness and your capacity.

First check-up for weakness

A family doctor needs to know when the weakness began, where in the body you feel it and what changes it. They will choose tests based on your symptoms and examination, not a standard checklist.

A psychiatrist comes in when your mood has changed along with the weakness. The initial psychiatric consultation page describes what happens at the first appointment, and the profiles of the clinic’s doctors show their experience.

Why a precise description of weakness matters

Weakness can relate to insufficient recovery, nutrition or physical illness. It is important to distinguish exhaustion from an actual loss of strength. A psychological explanation should not replace medical assessment.

Weakness can be one of the signs of depression: it then comes with a mood that stays low for a long time and a loss of interest in life. But weakness on its own does not yet mean that you have depression.

From calling an ambulance to a gradual recovery

1. If weakness came on suddenly, especially on one side of the body, or comes with speech problems, facial asymmetry, numbness, loss of coordination, severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness or confusion, you need urgent medical help: call 103 or 112 in Ukraine, even if it has eased.
2. If weakness comes with unexplained weight loss, severe shortness of breath, palpitations, persistent dizziness, fever, pain or other noticeable physical symptoms, or lasts several weeks, gets worse, appeared for no clear reason or noticeably limits your usual activities, make sure you see a doctor.
3. If weakness comes with persistent low mood, loss of interest, apathy or severe anxiety, add a consultation with a mental health professional to your doctor’s check-up.
4. If the weakness has a clear cause, such as a recent illness, and is gradually easing, follow the advice in the section “Getting your strength back gradually” and watch whether you are getting stronger.