MonitorEmergency Guide
Muscle weakness: Red Flags & Emergency Signs
Progressive ascending weakness over days to weeks suggests Guillain-Barré syndrome — respiratory failure develops in 25% and requires ITU monitoring.
🚨 Call 999 / 112 Immediately
- ⚠Rapidly ascending weakness with difficulty breathing — Guillain-Barré syndrome (ITU referral for respiratory monitoring)
- ⚠Acute muscle weakness with hyperkalaemia on ECG (peaked T-waves, wide QRS) — hyperkalaemic paralysis
- ⚠Muscle weakness with confusion and seizures — severe hyponatraemia
⚡ See a Doctor Today
- •Progressive proximal muscle weakness (difficulty rising from chair) — myopathy or myositis
- •Muscle weakness that varies through the day (worse at end of day) — myasthenia gravis
- •Muscle weakness with weight loss and dysphagia — MND or oesophageal malignancy
High-Risk Combinations
When muscle weakness occurs together with any of these symptoms, urgency increases significantly:
Conditions to Rule Out Urgently
Myasthenia Gravisurgent
AChR antibodies; edrophonium (Tensilon) test; pyridostigmine + immunosuppression
Guillain-Barré Syndromeurgent
NCS + LP; IVIG 2g/kg; FVC monitoring for respiratory failure
Multiple Sclerosismoderate
MRI brain/spine + gadolinium; CSF oligoclonal bands
Condition Authority Pages
Differential diagnosis analyses:
When to Call Emergency Services
- →Rapidly ascending weakness with difficulty breathing or swallowing