These alterations in your walking pattern can indicate a troubled liver

The liver is the biggest internal organ, yet until it is too late, individuals frequently neglect its issues. Your liver may begin acting up for a variety of reasons, including obesity, alcohol intake, infections, medicines, and chemicals. Trouble with the liver can be detected in a number of ways, including yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), stomach discomfort, and swelling. However, a less obvious sign is a change in gait. When focused attention is at its best, fatty liver can be identified. Let's know what changes in gait indicate, what fatty liver disease is, and how the two are related.

Dr. Amit Javed, Director - Department of Advanced Surgical Sciences & Onco-Surgeries, CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi, says,”Gait abnormalities refer to deviations or alterations in the normal pattern of walking or movement. These abnormalities can manifest as changes in stride length, speed, coordination, or posture during walking or running. Gait abnormalities can be caused by various factors, including musculoskeletal problems, neurological disorders, injuries, or underlying medical conditions.”
“Common types of gait abnormalities include antalgic gait (limping to avoid pain), spastic gait (stiff and jerky movements), ataxic gait (uncoordinated movements), steppage gait (lifting the foot excessively high), or Trendelenburg gait (pelvic drop on one side). If someone has sustained an accident or brain damage from a stroke, gait abnormalities may occur unexpectedly. The development of further gait irregularities over time as a result of a progressively worsening neurological disease may make them harder to detect. Parkinson's disease is a typical illustration of a progressive gait impairment,” he adds.

While gait alterations are not specific indicators of fatty liver disease, there can be an indirect relationship between the two. Fatty liver disease, particularly in its advanced stages or when it progresses to liver cirrhosis, can lead to various complications that may contribute to gait alterations. These complications include:

“Ascites is the build-up of fluid in the abdominal cavity, which can occur in advanced liver disease. The increased abdominal pressure caused by ascites can affect a person's posture and movement, potentially leading to changes in their gait,” says Dr. Javed.

Chronic liver disease can result in muscle wasting or loss of muscle mass, a condition called sarcopenia. This loss of muscle strength and tone can affect a person's ability to walk normally and lead to gait abnormalities.

According to Dr. Javed, “Liver disease can sometimes be associated with peripheral neuropathy, which is damage to the peripheral nerves. Peripheral neuropathy can cause symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs and feet, affecting balance and gait.”

Liver disease can lead to generalized fatigue and weakness, which may impact a person's ability to walk with a normal gait pattern. Liver dysfunction and inflammation can disrupt the proper processing and utilization of nutrients. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies, which may contribute to muscle weakness and affect gait.