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Nervous Weakness – Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment
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Nervous Weakness – Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

Medically reviewed by Caroline Duncan, MD
by
Nervous Weakness – Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment February 26, 2019

When you are always on the run, hits and falls become part and parcel of your life. And most of the time, you don’t give them a second thought. But is that ok? No! Even minor falls can lead to serious medical conditions as a result of damaged or injured nerves, or in other words, nervous weakness. Even the long hours you spend stressing – be it about work, family, or relationships – can alter the functioning of your nerves. So, are you wondering what can be done to avoid this? Read on to find out!

Table Of Contents

What Is Nervous Weakness?

Nervous weakness or neuropathy is a medical term used to collectively define various nervous disorders that cause the nerves in some parts of your body to become weak or immobile. For some individuals, this condition is a temporary affair, while for others, it might be a permanent health issue.

Wondering what causes nervous weakness? Keep reading to find out.

What Causes Nervous Weakness?

The most common causes of nervous weakness are:

  • Inflamed nerves
  • Compressed nerves
  • Nerve damage
  • Degenerated nerves
  • Development of malignant tumors on nerve cells
  • Disruption of nerve impulses by toxins
  • Unhealthy diet and lifestyle
  • Stress

The causes of nervous weakness can also vary depending on the type of disease and other factors. They include:

  • Nerve infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or other parasites.
  • Medications or drugs that damage the nerves or alter their function over time.
  • Deficiency of nutrients.
  • Congenital defects or genetic abnormalities that alter the function of the nerves.

The symptoms of nervous weakness vary widely depending on the type and location of the affected nerve. However, some common symptoms are listed below.

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Signs And Symptoms Of Nervous Weakness

  • Prickling or tickling sensation
  • Aches or pains
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Weak immunity
  • Fatigue
  • Diminished sense of smell, vision, taste, touch, or hearing
  • Cognitive problems
  • Muscle weakness and wasting
  • Tremors

Weak or damaged nerves can also give rise to different medical conditions, and some of the most common ones are discussed below.

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List Of Nervous System Diseases

There are a number of diseases that can cause your nerves to weaken. They include:

  • Sciatica: Sciatica is often a result of nerve root compression.
  • Multiple Sclerosis: This is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to attack the insulating sheath (myelin sheath) of your nerves.
  • Bell’s Palsy: Also referred to as facial palsy, this disease results in inflamed nerves on one side of your face, thereby causing muscle weakness in the affected area.
  • Diabetic Neuropathy: This condition is a result of long and untreated cases of diabetes mellitus.
  • Stroke: When a part of your brain tissues develops a blood clot due to an interrupted blood supply, it leads to a stroke.
  • Parkinson’s Disease: This is a neurodegenerative disorder that leads to gradual loss of certain types of nerve cells in your brain.

Nervous weakness might lead to a host of medical conditions. Hence, it is best to treat it immediately. Given below are natural remedies, foods, and exercises that can help you deal with nervous weakness.

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How To Strengthen Nervous System Naturally

Natural Therapies For Nervous Weakness

  1. Ayurvedic Oil Massage
  2. Epsom Salt
  3. Ashwagandha
  4. Water Therapy
  5. Sunlight

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1. Ayurvedic Oil Massage

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You Will Need

Almond or sesame oil

What You Have To Do
  1. Take sufficient amount of almond or sesame oil and warm it a little.
  2. Massage the warm oil on your body or hire a professional to do it.
  3. Leave it on for half an hour before going ahead with your regular bath.
How Often You Should Do This

You can do this daily.

Why This Works

Ayurvedic massages are a well-known treatment for various ailments, including nervous weakness. This traditional treatment may help in rejuvenating your body and mind and ensures that your nervous system is healthy and active (1).

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2. Epsom Salt

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You Will Need
  • 1 cup of Epsom salt
  • Water
What You Have To Do
  1. Add a cup of Epsom salt to your bath water.
  2. Soak in it for 15 to 20 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this at least thrice a week.

Why This Works

Epsom salt baths are most commonly used to relieve pain and inflammation of the muscles (2). Given its anti-inflammatory properties, owing to its high magnesium content, Epsom salt can also be used to relieve nervous weakness (3).

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[ Read: Best Benefits And Uses OF Epsom Salt ]

3. Ashwagandha

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You Will Need

Ashwagandha supplements (300-1000mg)

What You Have To Do

Take ashwagandha supplements on a daily basis.

How Often You Should Do This

We recommend you take these supplements 2 to 3 times daily for at least a month.

Why This Works

Ashwagandha has a range of benefits. It relieves stress and anxiety – two of the many disturbing symptoms of nervous weakness (4), (5).

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4. Water Therapy

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You Will Need

Cold and warm water

What You Have To Do
  1. End your usual bath with a short cold shower.
  2. Alternatively, take a clean washcloth and soak it in cold water.
  3. Gently rub this cold washcloth all over your body and then dress warmly.
  4. You can also alternate between warm and cold water for your bath. Ensure the final rinse is with cold water.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this daily.

Why This Works

Water therapy is extensively used for relieving pain and inflammation and is an excellent treatment for nervous weakness. Alternating cold and hot water helps reduce the pain and inflammation that occur due to weak or damaged nerves (6).

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5. Sunlight

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Exposing yourself to the early morning sun rays is another way to treat nervous weakness. Nervous weakness is often associated with vitamin D deficiency, and the sun rays help your body produce more of vitamin D (7).

Caution

Avoid going out in the sun in the afternoon for long hours, as this may have adverse effects on your health (8).

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Best Foods For Nervous Weakness

  1. Vitamins
  2. Magnesium
  3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
  4. Chamomile Tea
  5. Green Tea

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1. Vitamins

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Consuming foods rich in vitamins B and D is another way to maintain healthy functioning of your spine and brain. Both the vitamins have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation within your body (9), (10). Vitamin D is also beneficial for bone health as it promotes the absorption of calcium by your body. You can consume foods like fish, bread, whole grains, vegetables, brown rice, cheese, and egg yolk to combat any deficiencies in these vitamins naturally. You can also opt for additional supplements of these vitamins, but after consulting your physician

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2. Magnesium

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Magnesium is another important nutrient for a healthy nervous system (11). It exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve the inflammation of your nerves. It also promotes the production of serotonin to relax your nervous system.

Consuming magnesium-rich foods like dark chocolates, green and leafy veggies, bananas, and apricots is a great way to counter any deficiencies of this mineral naturally.

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3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

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Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are a boon for your nervous system  (12), (13). Due to their anti-inflammatory properties, omega-3s can aid the treatment of various nervous system diseases by speeding up the recovery of weak and damaged nerves.

Consuming seafood like mackerel, oysters, sardines, salmon, and tuna is a great way to increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids naturally. Just aim for wild-caught fish, and be wary of the fact that seafood may contain heavy metals. You can also consider taking additional supplements after consulting your physician.

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[ Read: Top 10 Foods Rich In Omega 3 Fatty Acids ]

4. Chamomile Tea

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You Will Need
  • 1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile herb
  • 1 cup of water
  • Honey to taste
What You Have To Do
  1. Add a teaspoon or two of dried chamomile herb to a cup of water.
  2. Bring this to a boil in a saucepan and steep for about 5 minutes.
  3. Strain and allow the tea to cool a bit before adding some honey.
  4. Consume it.
How Often You Should Do This

Drink chamomile tea 3 to 4 times daily.

Why This Works

Chamomile tea acts as a sedative, reduces anxiety, and calms down your nerves (14). It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help in the treatment of damaged or injured nerves.

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5. Green Tea

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You Will Need
  • 1 green tea bag
  • 1 cup of hot water
  • Honey
What You Have To Do
  1. Take a green tea bag and steep it in a cup of hot water for 5 to 10 minutes.
  2. Let it cool a bit before adding honey.
  3. Sip on it.
How Often You Should Do This

You can drink green tea at least thrice daily.

Why This Works

Among the many benefits of green tea, one is it’s ability to promote a healthy nervous system. This is mainly due to the presence of compounds like L-theanine, which is known to have unique brain-boosting properties (15). These properties of green tea also help in combating depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders (16).

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[ Read: 20 Benefits Of Green Tea You Should Definitely Know ]

Best Exercises To Help Nervous Weakness

  1. Yoga
  2. Walking Barefoot
  3. Deep Breathing

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1. Yoga

a. Sarva Hita Asana

How It Helps

This yoga asana has a calming effect on your nerves and helps in harmonizing your breath.

Repetitions

5 times

b. Shashankasana

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How It Helps

Shashankasana improves blood circulation to your head and promotes the functioning of your brain and eyes.

Repetitions

3 to 4 times

c. Khatu Pranam

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How It Helps

This asana strengthens your spine and muscles and improves blood circulation to your head. This, in turn, assures the healthy functioning of your nervous system.

Repetitions

4 to 6 times

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[ Read: 10 Effective Yoga Asanas To Stimulate Your Nervous System ]

2. Walking Barefoot

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How It Helps

Walking barefoot on moist earth or a sandy beach can help in healing your nervous system. It is believed that the electrons from the earth’s surface improve your health by reducing your stress levels and inflammation in your body (17).

Duration

30 minutes

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3. Deep Breathing

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How It Helps

You can also practice deep breathing to relieve stress and relax. It helps you combat anxiety and stress-related disorders and improves your body’s natural healing abilities.

Duration

5 to 10 minutes

Repetitions

2 to 3

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In addition to the remedies, diets, and exercises, we have provided some tips to help you deal with weak nerves.

Preventive Tips

  • Quit smoking and using tobacco products.
  • Make sure to get plenty of rest.
  • Treat and manage other medical conditions, if any.
  • Drink a lot of fluids and water.
  • Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs.
  • Increase your attention span and ability to focus by learning new skills.
  • Try and avoid the use of non-prescription medications.

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If nervous weakness has taken a toll on your physical or emotional state of health, please treat it immediately to avoid complications. Avoid stress and maintain a positive attitude.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment in the box below.

References

  1. “Pilot study investigating the effects of Ayurvedic Abhyanga massage on subjective stress experience” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, US National Library of Medicine
  2. “MORTON Natural Epsom Salt” DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine
  3. “Magnesium Decreases Inflammatory Cytokine Production: A Novel Innate Immunomodulatory Mechanism” Journal of Immunology, US National Library of Medicine
  4. “An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda” African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, US National Library of Medicine
  5. “A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults.” Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, US National Library of Medicine
  6. “Scientific Evidence-Based Effects of Hydrotherapy on Various Systems of the Body” North American Journal of Medical Sciences, US National Library of Medicine
  7. “Vitamin D: The “sunshine” vitamin” Journal of Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics, US National Library of Medicine
  8. “At what time should one go out in the sun?” Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, US National Library of Medicine
  9. “Vitamin D and the central nervous system.” Pharmacological Reports, US National Library of Medicine
  10. “Vitamin B12, folic acid, and the nervous system” Lancet Neurology, US National Library of Medicine
  11. “Central nervous system magnesium deficiency” AMA Internal Medicine, US National Library of Medicine
  12. “The effect of omega-3 fatty acids on central nervous system remyelination in fat-1 mice” BMC Neuroscience, US National Library of Medicine
  13. “Omega-3 Fatty Acids and their Role in Central Nervous System – A Review” Current Medicinal Chemistry, US National Library of Medicine
  14. “Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) May Have Antidepressant Activity in Anxious Depressed Humans – An Exploratory Study” Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, US National Library of Medicine
  15. “L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses.” Biological Psychology, US National Library of Medicine
  16. “Reduced Stress and Improved Sleep Quality Caused by Green Tea Are Associated with a Reduced Caffeine Content” Nutrients, US National Library of Medicine
  17. “Earthing: Health Implications of Reconnecting the Human Body to the Earth’s Surface Electrons” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, US National Library of Medicine

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