Tripping and stumbling

[MFergie]

Okay so I am 24 and not in horrible condition and so far don't think I have any medical problem. Lately though I've been tripping a lot and falling. It's like my foot suddenly decides to drag and I go down. In less than two months my knees and ankles are back to looking torn up and scarred like a kid's. Should I be worried?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
There are many causes of unexplained fall. One is that the proprioceptive receptors of foot are at fault and they are not able to take in the variation in the floor. This can happen if you have high blood sugar or hypothyroidism affecting the nerve endings. The other possibility is an internal ear problem. It an also be due to pinched cervical spinal nerve. Brain injuries, tumors, transient ischemic attacks and bleed in the brain have to be ruled out in your case. It can also be a vasovagal attack. Hypoglycemia, severe anemia and vasovagal attacks are common causes of such falls. It can also be MS but other causes need to be ruled out. It can also be a sleep related disorder with extreme sleep deprivation.
Please consult your doctor regarding this immediately. Hope this helps. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.

[JackRussellFan]

Hi, tripping and falling (and spraining ankles too) can also be the first sign of a neuromuscular disease!  One of them is called Charcot Marie Tooth disease.  It is a genetic disease, and is either inherited directly, or can show up in a family member as a “fluke”.  It is the most common neuromuscular disease in the world, yet many regular doctors miss it.  There are blood  genetic tests, but first see a neurologist who will examine you, & then do an EMG (electromyogram) on your leg muscles, to see if your leg nerves are working properly.  Find more information on www. Cmtusa.org.  Bracing the legs is usually the best treatment to prevent further falls.  It is currently an incurable disease, which falls under the Muscular Dystrophy umbrella of different neuromuscular diseases.  Hope this helps!!