Health & Nutrition Health and Nutrition - February 2018.edcoan.ir | Page 34
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34 February 2018 HEALTH & NUTRITION
gait can be a sign of
a chronic vitamin B 12
deficiency, which can lead
to a degeneration of the
nerves in the spinal cord
and brain. Early detection
is crucial: By the time a
B 12 deficiency gives rise
to difficulty walking, the
nerve damage may
be irreversible.
u Peripheral neuropathy.
Damage to sensory nerves
in the feet can cause
numbness, tingling, or
pain in the feet and result
in an inability to walk
properly. Diabetes is a
common cause, but many
other medical conditions
that are amenable to
treatment can also
cause neuropathy.
u Other neurologic
disorders. Many brain and
nervous system disorders
can trigger a wide range
of gait changes, including
unsteadiness; slow, small
steps; lack of coordination;
feeling as if your feet are
stuck to the ground; or
difficulty initiating leg
movement. Brain tumours,
multiple sclerosis, and
Huntington’s disease are
examples of the many
neurologic disorders
that can cause gait
disturbances. Strokes are
a common cause of gait
disorder. The term ‘silent
strokes’ refers to the fact
that a single stroke might
not have any symptoms,
but multiple small strokes
can additively lead to gait
problems. Normal pressure
hydrocephalus is a buildup
of cerebrospinal fluid in
the fluid-containing sacs
of the brain due to an
inability of the fluid to
flow normally. Hallmark
symptoms include