13th January 2021-by Saunri & Dr.Manvir Bhatia<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gait<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The manner in which a person walks is called his gait. Gait depends on the coordination between a person\u2019s musculoskeletal, nervous system, and cardiorespiratory system and is strongly influenced by personality, age, and mood. The risk of suffering from a gait disorder increases by 10 percent after the age of 60, and more than 60 percent over the age of 80<\/em>.\u00a0 Difficulty in walking can lead to problems such as being prone to falling and being seriously injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common causes of Gait Disorders<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Neurological: Polyneuropathy, parkinsonism, subcortical vascular encephalopathy, dementia, and neuromuscular diseases such as Duchene Muscular Dystrophy also result in abnormal gait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Musculoskeletal: The most common musculoskeletal\ncauses of gait disorders are skeletal deformities and osteoarthritis<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cardiorespiratory: Respiratory insufficiency, obesity, and peripheral arterial occlusive disease can cause gait disorder<\/p>\n\n\n\n With older age, gait disorders occur due to a combination of a number of causes that include impairment in the sensation of touch, poor vision, osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gait issues in Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2018Parkinsonian\nGait<\/em>\u2019 is seen in Parkinson’s patients who show a tendency to lean on\none side of the body, droop their heads and bend their knees, place their steps\nin the front of their feet, drag their feet or shuffle their feet, reduce the\nlength of their stride, and reduce arm swinging while walking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Gait issues in other neurological and cognitive conditions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Elderly people who stop talking while walking has reduced cognitive abilities and a higher risk of falling<\/em>. People suffering from dementia walk slowly, but they are in fact too fast for their cognitive abilities and hence have a higher risk of falling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Gait Assessment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society in 2015\u00a0 has recommended that gait speed should be measured regularly in older adults<\/em> to help identify those at a higher risk of disability and find the reason behind their decline in gait speed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If a person faces a sudden or acute onset gait disorder, he or she must immediately consult the doctor as it may be due to an underlying neuromuscular or cerebrovascular condition or maybe the side effects of some drugs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To seek help or know more about gait disorders\u00a0 you can visit<\/strong> the Neurology and Sleep Centre<\/strong>, the 1st sleep centre in the country accredited by the Indian Board of Sleep Medicine at L-23, Hauz Khas Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi-110016 (INDIA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or give a call<\/strong>\non +91-11-46070321, +91-9643500270,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Or write <\/strong>toinfo@neurologysleepcentre.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n