3 signs that clumsiness could be a symptom of a serious problem

Sometimes clumsiness is more than just a bruise or a slip. It can be a warning sign of a more serious brain problem.

Clumsiness can be a warning sign of a more serious brain problem.

If you’re one of those people who rarely trips, bumps into things, or breaks their favorite mug, you’re in luck. For many people, clumsiness is a “mark of their identity,” and most of the time it’s just something to laugh about.

However, sometimes clumsiness goes beyond a simple bruise or slip. It can be a warning sign of a more serious brain problem.

According to Dr. Alessandro Di Rocco, director of Neurology – Parkinson and Movement Disorders at Northwell Health (USA), “there are many medical problems that can lead to clumsiness, including endocrine disorders, vision disorders and especially neurological diseases.”

Common conditions that can cause clumsiness include: mini-strokes caused by blockages in small blood vessels in the brain, neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's that are common in older people, fluid buildup in the brain (hydrocephalus), inflammation, and peripheral neuropathy, he said.

To better understand, neuroscientists have pointed out three signs related to clumsiness that you should not ignore.

Accidents or injuries occur more frequently

Clinical neurologist Sanam Hafeez (USA) said that a mild degree of clumsiness is completely normal because anyone can spill water or bump into objects. Sometimes clumsiness is even the body's response to anxiety.

However, a sudden increase in minor accidents, such as frequent falls or repeated self-injury, is another matter. This may be a warning sign that you need to see a doctor to check for an underlying cause.

A sudden increase in minor accidents could be a warning sign that you need to see a doctor to check for an underlying cause.

Functions you used to do well suddenly become difficult

When everyday activities become clumsy, uncontrollable, or difficult to perform, it could be a sign of a serious medical problem, says Dr. Di Rocco.

“Even someone who is not very manual dexterous will notice something is wrong if they start dropping things, staggering, or falling more,” he says.

These changes reflect impaired motor function or nerve damage.

Clumsiness suddenly appears and makes you nervous

Many people are clumsy from childhood, and that’s perfectly normal. But if you suddenly find yourself losing your balance, or wondering, “Why do I keep dropping my phone?” that’s not normal clumsiness.

“Normal clumsiness is something you’ve had since childhood,” said Dr. Amparo Gutierrez, a neurologist at Orlando Health Neuroscience Institute . “But new clumsiness that appears in a few hours or days is unusual and should be evaluated.”

Dr. Di Rocco also recommends: “If clumsiness persists, recurs, and affects your daily life, you should see a doctor to find the cause.”

Not all cases of clumsiness are related to neurological disorders. Some causes may be simpler: vitamin deficiencies, such as B12 or magnesium; medication side effects; normal aging.

Dr. Di Rocco says that balance and flexibility naturally decline with age and this does not necessarily mean serious illness.

When to see a doctor immediately?

According to expert Hafeez, you should see a doctor if: clumsiness persists or worsens; clumsiness persists or worsens; affects daily activities; is accompanied by serious symptoms such as severe headache, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, confusion, vision changes, dizziness, loss of balance.

In these cases, immediate medical attention is essential.

Clumsiness is a normal part of life. But if it becomes unusual, causes anxiety, or affects your mobility, see a doctor as soon as possible. Early detection can lead to effective treatment and prevent more serious problems.

According to VNA

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