A physician has suggested that a simple hand test might indicate if you should seek medical advice.
People use numerous methods to monitor their health, ranging from scans and regular doctor visits to blood and urine tests. These are conventional ways to ensure you are fit and well.
However, a 30-second hand test might not be something you considered for keeping an eye on your health.
In a demonstration, a London-based doctor known as Medifectious on TikTok shared this simple technique with his followers. The video has garnered over 185,000 views on the popular platform.
To perform the test, extend one palm flat and place the other hand on top, flipping it between the back of the hand and the palm. Imagine holding a fish out of water.
“If you can’t do this, then you might want to get yourself checked,” the doctor advised after demonstrating the test.
He explained that this test could indicate dysdiadochokinesis, which Healthline describes as difficulty in executing rapid and alternating movements.
This condition might signal various brain-related issues such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Friedreich’s ataxia—a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the nervous system—or a cerebellar lesion.
The doctor further noted that if an elderly person has difficulty with this test, it could suggest they are experiencing a stroke.
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Dysdiadochokinesis has also been associated with brain tumors. According to Max Healthcare, “it can be caused by a number of disorders that have the credibility of damaging the cerebellum.”
The institution further explains, “For example, metabolic dysfunction, inflammatory illness, infections, vascular tissues, and brain tumors can affect the human brain’s cerebellum. Inherited brain diseases, including Huntington’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, can also harm the cerebellum.”
Dysdiadochokinesis can impact muscles throughout the body, including those controlling the lower and upper limbs, as well as speech muscles.
Common symptoms include poor coordination between the hands, arms, and legs, altered balance, slow and awkward rigid movements, unclear speech, and trouble changing direction.