When Should You See a Neurologist for Muscle Weakness and Numbness?
A little muscle soreness after a hard workout is normal. Muscle weakness that shows up for no reason, sticks around, or comes with numbness is a different story. It could signal a neurological condition that needs treatment.
Seeing a neurologist in Brooklyn can help you determine the cause of your symptoms. While it’s not always an emergency, persistent, unexplained weakness deserves a proper evaluation.
What Causes Muscle Weakness?
Muscle weakness can stem from problems anywhere along the nerve pathways that allow your brain to tell your muscles what to do. When that signal is interrupted, the muscle doesn’t get the message and stops responding as it should.
Unexplained weakness doesn’t automatically point to a serious disease, but the list of possible causes means that persistent symptoms deserve a proper evaluation.
Conditions that can cause muscle weakness include:
- Compressed nerves due to a herniated disc
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Autoimmune conditions
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nerve damage, often stemming from diabetes
- Stroke
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- ALS
Certain conditions are more common than others; for example, the CDC reports that about 50% of people with diabetes have some type of nerve damage, particularly in the feet and legs, while the National Multiple Sclerosis Society reports that MS affects an estimated 1 million people in the United States.
What Does Muscle Weakness Feel Like?
People often use “weakness” to describe feeling tired or lacking energy. True muscle weakness means a muscle isn’t producing its normal amount of force, making everyday activities like climbing stairs or opening a jar difficult.
Numbness and Tingling May Indicate Nerve Irritation or Compression
Muscle weakness can occur with numbness and tingling, which often result from nerve damage or nerve compression. A pinched nerve in your neck can cause tingling that travels down your arm to your fingers. A compressed nerve in your lower back can do the same thing to your leg and foot.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common culprit for numbness and tingling. It affects an estimated 3% to 6% of adults and can cause nighttime numbness in the hand and fingers, which may lead to persistent pain and numbness.
Balance Problems
Balance problems aren’t always associated with muscle weakness, but they’re closely related. Your eyes, inner ear, and nervous system work with your muscles to help you remain upright, so when any part of the loop misfires, you can become unsteady. The CDC reports that more than one in four adults over 65 falls each year, and many of those falls can be connected to an underlying neurological cause.
When Should You See a Neurologist?
Unexplained weakness deserves more attention if it persists or worsens. A neurological evaluation makes sense if muscle weakness is unexplained, keeps returning, or interferes with everyday activities.
It is especially important to schedule an appointment if weakness occurs with other neurological symptoms, including:
- Numbness or tingling
- Changes in walking or coordination
- Balance problems or frequent falls
- Muscle twitching or unusual movements
- Weakness that gradually worsens
- Trouble speaking, swallowing, or seeing
- Symptoms affecting one arm or leg
- Weakness that began after an injury or accident
Assessing these symptoms can help a neurologist narrow down the cause. Don’t write off persistent or changing neurological symptoms as just getting older or being tired. Early evaluation can identify a cause and determine whether treatment is needed.
When Muscle Weakness Is an Emergency
Some neurological symptoms should never wait for a routine appointment.
Sudden muscle weakness or numbness, especially on one side of the body, can signal a stroke. Other warning signs include:
- Sudden trouble speaking
- Confusion
- Vision changes
- Dizziness
- Loss of coordination
- Severe headache
The CDC also reports that 93% of people surveyed recognized sudden numbness on one side as a stroke symptom, but only 38% recognized all major stroke symptoms and knew to call 911.
If these symptoms appear suddenly, call 911. Do not wait to see whether they improve or try to arrange a regular neurology appointment. Stroke treatment is time-sensitive.
Rapidly progressing weakness can also require emergency care. Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare disorder affecting the peripheral nerves, often begins with tingling and weakness that starts in the feet. Symptoms can progress quickly and may affect breathing or swallowing, so emergency care is critical.
How a Neurologist in Brooklyn Can Help
Neurological symptoms often need specialized expertise. It is easy to assume that numbness means a pinched nerve or that unexplained weakness simply comes from overuse. Sometimes, that is exactly what is happening.
A neurologist can help determine the cause through a variety of methods, including:
- A physical exam to evaluate your strength, reflexes, sensation, coordination, and mobility
- Nerve conduction studies
- MRI or CT imaging
- An electromyography (EMG) study
- Bloodwork
Get Answers About Muscle Weakness From a Top Neurologist in Brooklyn
Persistent muscle weakness and numbness don’t always mean something serious, but you shouldn’t ignore them when there’s no clear explanation. A neurological evaluation can help identify the source and determine appropriate testing or treatment.
Metro Healthcare Partners provides neurological care for patients who need answers about concerning symptoms. If you’re searching for a neurologist in Brooklyn, NY for symptoms that have developed over time, or want to see a neurologist after a car accident for help with whiplash-related symptoms, make an appointment today.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Metro Healthcare Partners is here to answer questions about neurological concerns.
Can Stress or Lack of Sleep Cause Muscle Weakness?
Fatigue from stress or poor sleep can make muscles feel weak, but the feeling often improves with rest. Weakness that persists despite adequate rest, or that affects one specific area, may point to a neurological issue.
Can Nerve Damage Cause Muscle Weakness and Numbness?
Yes. Nerve damage can interfere with communication between the nervous system and muscles, causing weakness, numbness, tingling, pain, or changes in sensation.
Can Muscle Weakness After a Car Accident Be Neurological?
Yes. A car accident can injure nerves, the spine, or the brain and may cause weakness, numbness, tingling, or balance problems.
