General deconditioning symptoms
General deconditioning isn’t just a matter of losing muscle strength; it can affect nearly every bodily system. That’s because internal organs weaken along with the rest of the body, meaning that patients may experience symptoms in the lungs, heart, digestive system, urinary system, endocrine system, and more.
For example, weakness in the lungs can lead to lung collapse, difficulty breathing, or pneumonia. The heart’s inability to pump blood effectively can cause low blood pressure, which may make the patient more vulnerable to blood clots. Weakness in the urinary system and digestive tract can cause incontinence and constipation. In combination, these problems can negatively impact a patient’s quality of life and lower their ability to perform daily activities, which can contribute to feelings of depression and disorientation.
The most common symptoms of general deconditioning include:
- Muscle weakness
- Cardiovascular problems
- Digestive difficulties
- Pulmonary conditions
- Depression and disorientation
Source:
SRA Lab