asthenia (as·the·nia) (as-the¢ne-[schwa]) [asthen- + -ia] lack or loss of strength and energy; weakness.
cutaneous asthenia, 1. a disease of cattle and sheep, similar to human Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; the skin is fragile and easily torn. It is due to an abnormally low activity of procollagen N-endopeptidase. Called also dermatosparaxis and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. 2. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (def. 1).
myalgic asthenia, any condition characterized by a sensation of general fatigue and muscular pains.
neurocirculatory asthenia, a syndrome characterized by palpitations, dyspnea, a sense of fatigue, fear of effort, and discomfort brought on by exercise or even slight effort; considered by most authorities to be a particular presentation of an anxiety disorder, the physical symptoms being attributed to autonomic responses to anxiety or to hyperventilation. Called also Da Costa’s syndrome, effort syndrome, and irritable or soldier’s heart.
periodic asthenia, a condition marked by periodically recurring attacks of marked asthenia.
tropical anhidrotic asthenia, a rare condition seen under conditions of heat stress, in which miliaria profunda causes extensive occlusion of the sweat ducts, producing anhidrosis and heat retention that may lead to heat exhaustion with weakness, dyspnea, tachycardia, elevation of body temperature, and collapse. Called also sweat retention syndrome and thermogenic anhidrosis.
