The phrase "going weak in the knees" has been used to describe those intense moments of emotion—love, fear, or heartbreak. But what does it mean in terms of both the physical and emotional context? Is it simply a poetic metaphor or does it have roots in real physiological responses? Let's take a look at this fascinating mix of emotions, biology, and possible health implications.

The term "weak in the knees" goes back centuries. According to Grammarphobia, its etymology can be traced back to Bible translations where individuals who lacked spiritual stamina were said to have "trembling" or "feeble" knees. The term had become "weak knees" by the 1500s, which had become the physical expression of over-the-top emotion.

This eventually moved beyond being a biblical idiomatic expression that could be universally used to illustrate feelings of lightheadedness due to overwhelming emotions. A person standing on the edge of a cliff or hearing bad news or locking gazes with that loved one.

How Exactly Do Emotions Impact Human Body?

Intense emotions can bring about actual physiological changes, which is why people describe "weak knees" when experiencing such events.

Fight-or-Flight Response

The fight-or-flight response is the body's survival mechanism that it initiates when stressed. In a dangerous situation, the body releases stress hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones:

• Divert blood flow to important areas, such as the brain and large muscles.
• Tense muscles in anticipation of action.
• Change blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

This reaction can cause feelings of dizziness, lightheadedness, or "shaky" legs. For instance, tense leg muscles might make one feel unstable, and a decrease in blood pressure may cause the legs to feel limp or cause a person to pass out. .

Role of Anxiety and Panic

Even though unsteadiness is not a medical symptom of anxiety, people often feel that way during a panic attack. Other symptoms that can create a sensation of knee weakness include shakiness, cold sweats, or dissociation—a feeling of being outside one's body. This relationship between emotions and physical responses illustrates how tightly the mind and body are linked.

Also Read: 10 Odd Signs Of Stress That You Thought You Knew But Don't

When Weak Knees Signal a Medical Issue

Weak knees can sometimes be an indication of an emotional response. However, at times, weak knees are symptoms of deeper physical issues. In most cases, when weak knees occur for long or too often, medical help is needed, since the issue might arise from a structural or systemic condition in the body.

The knee is the largest and one of the most complex joints in the body, which comprises the thighbone (femur), shinbone (tibia), and kneecap (patella). Its functionality relies on:

- Cartilage, which supports bones.

- Ligaments, which stabilizes.

- Quadriceps, the main muscles in the knee.

If any of these elements are affected, then there will be weakness in the knee.

Common Physical Causes of Weak Knees

1. Osteoarthritis: degeneration due to age, in which cartilage is degenerated, making the knee painful and unstable.

2. Quadriceps weakness: overuse or underuse of the quadriceps muscles causes loss of support for the knee.

3. Overuse injuries: commonly occurring in athletes, repetitive activities cause microtraumas leading to joint misalignment and weakening of tissues surrounding the joint.

Physical weakness in the knee often results from such factors as bad training techniques, poor recovery, or even certain underlying medical conditions, such as thyroid imbalances or blood sugar irregularities.

Emotional vs. Physical: Knowing the Signs

The setting in which knee weakness occurs is important to determine its cause.

Emotional Weakness: If knee instability occurs at times of high emotion or anxiety and resolves shortly thereafter, it is probably related to the body's stress response.

Physical Weakness: If symptoms persist beyond emotional episodes, it may be a sign of a medical condition that needs further investigation.

For instance, drops in blood pressure due to fright or pain might cause temporary weakness in the knees. On the other hand, prolonged symptoms may imply something more severe, such as nerve damage or a degenerative joint condition.

Managing and Preventing Knee Weakness

For anyone who suffers from weak knees, the first priority is to tackle the root cause. Here are some strategies for emotional and physical cases:

• Deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness, it regulates the stress response in the body.
• Exercise improves balance, reduces anxiety, and forms a strong relationship between the mind and the body.
• Diagnosis of a condition like an injured ligament or an imbalance of muscle is determined by an orthopedist or physical therapist.
• An exercise targeting quadriceps and related muscles helps enhance the stability in the knee joint.
• Rest and proper form are essential for preventing overuse injuries in athletes.

The phrase “weak in the knees” is a testament to the profound connection between our emotions and physical experiences. Whether describing the flutter of love, the shock of bad news, or the physiological effects of stress, it encapsulates moments where the mind and body converge.

Understanding the cause, trigger, and implications of this phenomenon makes it more complex and understandable. Whether it is a transient emotional response or a sign of a medical issue, going "weak in the knees" reminds us of the delicate balance between our emotional and physical selves.

Infertility impacts millions across the globe, touching both men and women alike. According to the World Health Organization, around 17.5% of the global population, roughly one in six people, experience fertility challenges. This condition can significantly reduce or even prevent natural conception.

Yet, despite its prevalence, infertility remains clouded by myths and misconceptions, many of which unfairly place the blame solely on women. Seeking to debunk these long-held beliefs, Dr. Holly Miller, an American Board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, took to Instagram to share three important truths every woman should know about fertility.

3 Truths About Fertility Women Should Know

With the help of modern medicine and medical interventions like IVF, fertility treatment can help people boost their chances of reproducing.

Infertility Isn't Just a Woman's Issue

It’s important to understand that infertility affects both partners — it’s not solely a woman’s issue. Blaming only the woman is both unfair and inaccurate. In fact, experts find that the causes of infertility are almost evenly split between men and women.

Roughly one-third of infertility cases are linked to the woman, another third to the man, and the remaining third result from issues affecting both partners — or from causes that doctors are unable to clearly identify.

To identify the cause of infertility, both partners should undergo testing simultaneously. For men, a semen analysis — a quick and straightforward test — is often the easiest and most informative first step.

The "Wait One Year" Rule Changes with Age

Most couples automatically try to conceive for a full 12 months before they think about seeing a fertility doctor. However, the doctor emphasizes that the woman's age is the single most important factor that affects the chances of successful treatment.

If you are under 35 years old: You can safely try for a full 12 months of regular, unprotected sex before seeking a specialist.

If you are 35 or older: You should contact a specialist after only 6 months of trying without success.

If you are 40 or older: You need to see a specialist right away—as quickly as you possibly can.

The doctor explains that after age 35, the woman's egg supply starts to decline more quickly. Time is essential, so couples should strongly ask their doctors for an early referral.

"Unexplained Infertility" Often Means "Undiagnosed Problem"

When a couple is diagnosed with "unexplained infertility," which happens in about 10% to 20% of cases, it means the basic first tests did not find a clear reason. This can be upsetting, but it does not mean you can never have children. In the doctor's experience, the term "unexplained" often means there are hidden problems, such as:

• Small issues with the male partner's sperm that were missed by the basic tests.
• A hidden condition called Endometriosis, which can only be confirmed by a surgical procedure.
• Not having sexual intercourse at the best time or not often enough.

In today's corporate world, desk jobs have become the order of the day and so are the health problems associated with them. Endless typing, long hours of sitting, and poor posture are silently taking their toll on young professionals who spend most of their day glued to screens. Many don't realize that their daily work habits could trigger unexpected medical conditions.

Such a growing concern was once highlighted by Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, who recently shared a case on X. He wrote about one such case of Riya (name changed), a 25-year-old software engineer who developed a sharp, burning pain in her elbow-a pain which began as a minor ache while typing and gradually became so severe that even lifting a teacup felt unbearable.

What was the cause of the sharp elbow pain that Riya experienced?

Riya tried everything she could think of: Rest, pain relief balms, painkillers, even switching hands while using her computer, but the pain refused to fade. When she finally decided to visit the doctor, her symptoms immediately pointed to something unexpected: Tennis elbow. The diagnosis came as a surprise, considering she had never even held a tennis racket. On examination, Dr Sudhir Kumar found the tell-tale signs of the condition, medically known as lateral epicondylitis — tenderness along the outer elbow and pain when she tried to extend her wrist. He explained that the culprit wasn’t a sport, but repetitive strain from long hours at the computer — a problem increasingly common among desk workers.

What is Tennis Elbow?

The Mayo Clinic describes tennis elbow, medically termed lateral epicondylitis, as a painful condition resulting from the overuse of muscles and tendons in the forearm. It develops where these tissues are repeatedly strained by similar wrist and arm movements, leading to tiny tears and inflammation near the elbow.

The name is misleading, and you don't have to be an athlete to get tennis elbow. As a matter of fact, most people who develop it never have used a racket. It's common for the condition to strike people in jobs that require repetitive motions: plumbers, carpenters, painters, butchers, and yes, office workers who spend hours typing or using a mouse.

The pain generally arises on the outside of the elbow, precisely at that bony prominence to which the muscles of the forearm attach. For some, the discomfort may extend into the forearm or even the wrist, making most activities quite arduous.

How Can Tennis Elbow Be Treated?

Once the diagnosis was confirmed, Dr Sudhir Kumar focused on addressing the underlying cause — repetitive stress and poor workstation ergonomics. The holistic treatment for Riya included the following:

• Avoided repetitive activities that triggered her pain.
• Adjusting the computer setup and improving posture.
• Establish a physiotherapy regimen to stretch, strengthen, and gradually build muscle endurance.
• A short course of anti-inflammatory medication

Employing a counterforce brace-a tennis elbow strap-to reduce strain in daily activities. By her six-week follow-up, Riya’s pain had completely resolved. Her grip strength was back, and she could type, lift, and exercise without discomfort. Three months later, she was symptom-free — and far more aware of how small ergonomic changes can make a big difference.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths, however, a recent survey showed that most people don’t know this vital fact about prostate cancer symptoms.

Prostate cancer is a serious illness in the US, affecting over 300,000 men each year and causing more than 35,000 deaths, according American Cancer Society. This makes it the second-most deadly cancer for men. If doctors detect the disease early, it is treatable. However, patients usually don't notice any signs of the disease in its beginning stages. Due to this lack of symptoms, checking for the disease is extremely important.

A recent survey of 1,004 U.S. adults, commissioned by the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, aimed to gauge public knowledge of the disease. The findings highlight a critical need for better education.

What Do Americans Know About Early-Stage Prostate Cancer?

The results showed that most people, 80% of those surveyed, are unaware that early prostate cancer usually has no physical symptoms. One health specialist noted that it's crucial for everyone to understand that this cancer causes no symptoms until it has become advanced. The survey also revealed other gaps in knowledge:

• More than half of the people surveyed (59%) did not know that changes in sexual function could be a sign of prostate cancer.
• The survey noticed some differences across groups. For example, one minority group was better at identifying less common signs like tiredness and weight loss.
• However, that same minority group was less likely than others to correctly identify that the cancer usually has no symptoms in its early stage.

What Is The Best Way To Diagnose Prostate Cancer?

The fact that prostate cancer often begins without symptoms is the main reason doctors worry.

Lack of Symptoms

In its early phase, the cancer is small and contained within the prostate gland. It doesn't push on or block any other body parts, so it doesn't cause pain or discomfort. Because the cancer is deep inside the body, it's hard to tell if someone has it without special tests.

Provider Worry

Because men feel fine, they may wrongly believe they aren't at risk. This feeling of being safe often makes men hesitant to get screened. Since there are no symptoms to look for, screening tests, usually a simple blood test or a physical exam, are the best way to find the cancer early.

What Are Some Signs of Prostate Cancer?

Even though most men with early prostate cancer feel completely normal, there are certain signs that might appear if the disease is more advanced. These symptoms include:

• Having trouble starting to urinate.
• Having a urine flow that is weak or stops and starts.
• Needing to urinate often, especially during the night.
• Difficulty completely emptying the bladder.
• Feeling pain or a burning sensation while urinating.
• Noticing blood in the urine or semen.
• Feeling pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn't go away.
• Experiencing pain during ejaculation.

When Should You Get Screened For Prostate Cancer?

According to American Cancer Society, health organizations advise men to talk with their doctors about getting checked for prostate cancer starting at certain ages, depending on their personal risk.

Average Risk: Age 50

Men who have no special risk factors.

High Risk: Age 45

Men who are African American or who have a father or brother who was diagnosed before age 65.

Highest Risk: Age 40

Men who have more than one close relative (father or brother) diagnosed at an early age. There is no one-size-fits-all advice for screening. Men should always speak to their doctor about their own risk and discuss the pros and cons of testing. Since there are no early warning signs, talking to a doctor about screening is described as "critical" and a simple process that could potentially save a man's life.