Festination
Festination
Festination (/fɛstɪˈneɪʃən/), from the Latin word festinare meaning "to hurry", is a medical term used to describe a specific type of gait abnormality often associated with Parkinson's disease.
Definition
Festination is characterized by an involuntary increase in the speed of walking, often with short, shuffling steps. The individual may appear to be trying to catch up with their center of gravity, which is projected forward. This can lead to a loss of balance and increased risk of falls.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of festination is a rapid, shuffling walk. Other symptoms may include difficulty starting or stopping walking, a forward lean of the body, and a lack of arm swing while walking. These symptoms are often more pronounced when the individual is stressed or fatigued.
Causes
Festination is most commonly associated with Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement. It can also occur in other conditions that affect the basal ganglia, a group of structures in the brain involved in the control of movement.
Treatment
Treatment for festination typically involves managing the underlying condition. This may include medication, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. Walking aids such as canes or walkers may also be helpful.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Festination
- Wikipedia's article - Festination
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski