What Causes Sudden Loss Of Balance While Walking?

Brief Answer:
Need neurological examination

Detailed Answer:
Good evening. I am a neurologist from XXXXXXX Ohio, USA and would like to help you understand a few things about your problem.

While many possibilities exist for your symptoms a good neurological examination will help determine whether or not the problem you have is isolated primarily to the actual leg muscles, the foot, or the entire limb. It can also determine whether or not BOTH legs are equally involved or one more than another. In that way, we can start narrowing things down to figure out if whatever is going on emanates from the brain, the spinal cord, or is in the limb itself, or whether possibly things are due to a more systemic or internal chemistry type of problem.

Uncertainty of where one is stepping is the typical complaint we hear in patients with NEUROPATHY whereas Uncertainty or being unsure of how to step or being rather clumsy and perhaps feeling unbalanced while stepping is often heard from people suffering from ATAXIA. Neuropathy is due to nerves not operating properly either due to losses in biochemical nutrients such as vitamin B12, folate, or Vitamin D while ATAXIA implies a problem within the brain itself and primarily the cerebellum or the connections into the brainstem and this could be due to strokes, demyelinating diseases, or infections, or electrolyte disturbances.

Tightening of thigh and calf muscles could be a description of cramping and again there are many causes such as electrolyte disturbances, neuropathies, or even neurodegenerative diseases present such as PARKINSON'S DISEASE, MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, or other types of brain diseases. Certainly some of the things I've mentioned are more likely than others simply based upon your age. However, many other variables such as current health status, medical history, and family medical history could be important determinants to what else could be going on.

What you need is a solid neurological examination and workup by someone well versed in these types of problems who will order the proper laboratory analyses, imaging studies, and if necessary electrical studies.

I hope these responses have satisfactorily given you some food for thought which you may now discuss with your doctor so that a referral may be made to a good local neurologist. If you agree then, may I ask your favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with some written feedback if you have no further comments or questions?

Also, if that be the case- may I ask you to CLOSE THE QUERY on your end so things can be transacted and archived for further reference by colleagues as necessary?

Please keep me informed as to your progress with things and do keep me informed as to the outcome of your situation by writing to me about this or any other medical issues you may have at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

The query has required a total of 21 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.

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