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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Weakness And Loss Of Control Over The Body Parts?

My 65 year old wife has just been dropping small items held in her left hand. This seems without intention to do so. Also the left arm seems less controllable. She appears less energetic and frustrated. Your thoughts short of going to the doctor's? I've massaged her feet, back, arms, shoulders, neck, head but no dramatic results or relief.
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Sat, 6 Sep 2014 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 8 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on
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Neurologist,  's  Response
Dropping things from the hands happens to everyone as they age. For some reason the strength of grip when picking up objects is not as "automatically" good as it is in younger age. And this starts happening in actuality in our late 40's early 50's. I don't think that's necessarily a problem unless it is becoming so frequent that it is clearly obvious that she is weaker on one side vs. the other. One thing she do then, would be to get a grip ball (rubber or sponge) of some stiffness and practice gripping this object while watching TV or just sitting and relaxing. This may help. As far as the control on the left arm being less than the right again, I don't know exactly how to issue advice on this if going to the doctor is not an option other than to perform focused exercise routines by going to a gym or working with someone who can recommend specific exercises that can gain coordination and strength in the left arm as a whole either with weights or perhaps something such as yoga and other exercise programs that are available in the community through Public Recreational Centers and spas.

Best of luck to your wife.

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What Causes Weakness And Loss Of Control Over The Body Parts?

Dropping things from the hands happens to everyone as they age. For some reason the strength of grip when picking up objects is not as automatically good as it is in younger age. And this starts happening in actuality in our late 40 s early 50 s. I don t think that s necessarily a problem unless it is becoming so frequent that it is clearly obvious that she is weaker on one side vs. the other. One thing she do then, would be to get a grip ball (rubber or sponge) of some stiffness and practice gripping this object while watching TV or just sitting and relaxing. This may help. As far as the control on the left arm being less than the right again, I don t know exactly how to issue advice on this if going to the doctor is not an option other than to perform focused exercise routines by going to a gym or working with someone who can recommend specific exercises that can gain coordination and strength in the left arm as a whole either with weights or perhaps something such as yoga and other exercise programs that are available in the community through Public Recreational Centers and spas. Best of luck to your wife. Please rate this advice with STARS if you find its information of use to your question. Thank you.