What causes shuffling gait?

What causes shuffling gait?

Parkinsonian gait is a defining feature of Parkinson’s disease, especially in later stages. It’s often considered to have a more negative impact on quality of life than other Parkinson’s symptoms. People with Parkinsonian gait usually take small, shuffling steps. They might have difficulty picking up their feet.

What is shuffling in Parkinson’s disease?

Patients with Parkinson’s disease have a characteristic flexed posture. A slow shuffling gait is combined with reduced or absent arm swing and the hands are held in front of the body. Crossing boundaries such as doorways may be difficult and turning is often slow and awkward.

What does shuffle walking mean?

shuffle verb (WALK) to walk by pulling your feet slowly along the ground rather than lifting them: I love shuffling through the fallen leaves.

What is shuffling feet a symptom of?

These symptoms are caused by number of different medical conditions that affect the nerves or muscles. For example, these symptoms can be related to peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson disease, Lewy body dementia, or muscle strain.

Does walking help Parkinson’s disease?

Research published in Neurology suggests that regular, moderate exercise, such as walking briskly, can help to improve the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, the chronic motor system disorder. Parkinson’s disease affects around 1 million people in the US, and 4-6 million people worldwide.

What medications can cause shuffling gait?

Prescription medications such as the following are also associated with increased risk for an unsteady gait:

  • diuretics.
  • narcotics.
  • antidepressants.
  • psychotropics.
  • digoxin (Lanoxin)
  • anticonvulsants.
  • antiarrhythmics.