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Can Parkinson's Disease Cause Episodes Of Instant Running?
Question: Good Evening I have Parkinson Diease and lately I have been experienceing periods of instant running sometimes I am running so fast that I can hardly stop What could be causing this?
Brief Answer:
Festinating gait
Detailed Answer:
Hi Dxxxxxxxxxx8, thanks for asking from HealthcareMagic.
I can understand your concern. You are a known case of "Parkinson disease". The recent onset of sudden episodes of instant running is a typical type of gait which is known as "Fascinating gait or gravity catching gait". To confirm it, I will elaborate its features, kindly correlate
- Short steps are taken while walking.
- There is a sudden increase in speed without effort.
- Patient bends progressively forward and sometimes backward. It can result in fall. That is why it is called "gravity catching gait".
It is caused by the decreased equilibrium responses. If walking is a series of controlled falls and if normal responses to falling are delayed or not strong enough, then the individual will either completely fall or continue to take short, running-like steps. The abnormal motor unit firing seen with bradykinesia may also be the cause of ever-shortening steps.
If your features are resembling, then definitely you are having it.
Coming to the treatment of it. You are already taking tablet Carbidopa. You can follow few further steps--
- Physiotherapy - flexibility and stretching exercise help a lot. Better to consult a physiotherapist for it.
- Balance training, aquatic training - the physiotherapist and occupational therapist will guide you through it.
- Please discuss with your neurologist to increase the dose of carbidopa. S/he might also add other medications like Levodopa, Dopamine agonists.
Hope it will give you some insight. If any doubt, please do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Festinating gait
Detailed Answer:
Hi Dxxxxxxxxxx8, thanks for asking from HealthcareMagic.
I can understand your concern. You are a known case of "Parkinson disease". The recent onset of sudden episodes of instant running is a typical type of gait which is known as "Fascinating gait or gravity catching gait". To confirm it, I will elaborate its features, kindly correlate
- Short steps are taken while walking.
- There is a sudden increase in speed without effort.
- Patient bends progressively forward and sometimes backward. It can result in fall. That is why it is called "gravity catching gait".
It is caused by the decreased equilibrium responses. If walking is a series of controlled falls and if normal responses to falling are delayed or not strong enough, then the individual will either completely fall or continue to take short, running-like steps. The abnormal motor unit firing seen with bradykinesia may also be the cause of ever-shortening steps.
If your features are resembling, then definitely you are having it.
Coming to the treatment of it. You are already taking tablet Carbidopa. You can follow few further steps--
- Physiotherapy - flexibility and stretching exercise help a lot. Better to consult a physiotherapist for it.
- Balance training, aquatic training - the physiotherapist and occupational therapist will guide you through it.
- Please discuss with your neurologist to increase the dose of carbidopa. S/he might also add other medications like Levodopa, Dopamine agonists.
Hope it will give you some insight. If any doubt, please do let me know.
Thanks. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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