Repeatedly tripping and falling is a sign of Charcot Marie Tooth, get treatment immediately if symptoms appear.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is a group of conditions that affect the way peripheral nerves work. Charcot Marie Tooth disease is also called hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies. As a result of this disease, the muscles become weak and the person feels less prick or touch. Usually its symptoms start from the ankles and feet and reach the hands and arms. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease appears in adolescence or early adulthood but can also develop in those of middle age.
(All photos courtesy: freepik)Symptoms of Charcot Marie Tooth Disease

Mayo Clinic (Reference) According to, as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease progresses. Its symptoms can spread from the feet and ankles to the hands and arms. The severity of its symptoms can vary greatly from person to person and even between family members.

• weakness in legs and ankles
• damage to leg muscles
• decreased ability to run
• Difficulty raising the leg at the ankle
• higher than normal steps
• frequent trips and falls
• Loss of sensation in feet and ankles

Causes of Charcot Marie Tooth disease

Charcot Marie Tooth disease is an inherited genetic condition. Charcot Marie Tooth disease occurs when the nerves of the legs, hands and arms are affected due to a mutation in the gene. There are a total of seven main types of Charcot Marie Tooth disease but Type 1 and Type 2 are the most common.

Risk Factors for Charcot Marie Tooth Disease

Since Charcot Marie Tooth disease is hereditary. Therefore, if someone in your family has this disease, then you too are at higher risk of getting it. Other causes of neuropathy such as diabetes can cause symptoms similar to Charcot Marie Tooth disease. Symptoms of this disease can also worsen due to some other conditions.

Complications of Charcot Marie Tooth disease

The severity of this disease varies from person to person. Foot abnormalities and difficulty walking are usually the most serious problems. This can cause muscles to become weak and injuries to parts of your body where sensation is reduced. Sometimes the muscles of the legs do not receive the signal from the brain to contract. In such a situation, the possibility of a person slipping and falling is high.

On the other hand, when your brain does not receive pain messages from your feet, then if you rub a blister on your toe, it can become infected without your knowledge. A person may have difficulty breathing, swallowing, and speaking if the muscles that control these functions are affected by Charcot Marie Tooth disease.

Treatment of Charcot Marie Tooth disease

Some common treatments for Charcot Marie Tooth disease are

• Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
• Leg braces, walkers, wheelchairs, etc.
• custom footwear
• Surgery to correct changes in the arms, legs, hips and back
• medications for certain symptoms, such as chronic pain

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It cannot in any way be a substitute for any medicine or treatment. Always consult your doctor for more information.