Symptom 8. Unsteady Gait: Walking on an Invisible Tightrope
ADEM might make you feel like you’re walking on an invisible tightrope. You sway, you stumble, and your steady, confident strides are replaced by hesitant, unsteady steps. Walking straight becomes an ordeal, and maintaining balance feels like an acrobatic feat.
This unsteady gait is not a case of clumsiness or lack of coordination. It’s as if the signals between your brain and your muscles got lost in translation. Your legs feel shaky, and the ground seems to move under your feet.
The root of these balance issues lies in inflammation affecting the parts of your brain responsible for maintaining balance and coordinating movements. The disrupted signals cause your movements to become uncoordinated and clumsy, making simple tasks like walking or even standing straight a challenge.
Living with an unsteady gait can be daunting and limit your mobility. The world seems to spin, and you may find yourself holding onto walls, railings, or furniture for support. Even standing up from a chair can become a daring adventure.
If you find yourself staggering or stumbling more than usual, don’t let it go unnoticed. An unsteady gait could be your body’s attempt at drawing your attention to a neurological abnormality. Taking note of this could help steady your health journey. (8)
