What are episodic mobility problems? Meaning explained

AS we get older, it's common for mobility to gradually decline, making moving around more difficult.

You may know someone who is experiencing episodic mobility issues, but what is it exactly? Here's all you need to know.

What does episodic mobility mean?

The term "episodic mobility problems", doesn't refer to a specific medical diagnosis.

Mobility refers to our capacity to move about freely and easily.

And in medical terms, episodic merely means that symptoms aren't constant.

Those with episodic issues may have periods where they're able to move around easily and others where it's more difficult.

The Queen is experiencing mobility problems according to a Palace statement.

What issues do episodic mobility problems cause?

Mobility problems can be caused by a number of factors.

These include:

• The aging process
• Injury
• Obesity
• Mental health conditions
• Neurological conditions

They can cause people to have difficulty walking and moving as they would normally.

As well as causing physical pain, they can affect people's independence, ability to look after themselves and their mental health.

Sometimes it will mean that people are unable to move, or it may mean they struggle to coordinate their body's movement.

This could be as a result of symptoms of a specific condition like arthritis, or frailty related to aging.

Mohammed Abbas Khaki, a London GP, : “As we get older, wear and tear of the joints and the back can mean that we have more arthritis.

"It also means that when we try to get up from sitting down for a long period of time, or unless we’re “warmed up” a little bit, our muscles and joints are a little bit harder to get going.”

Who has had episodic mobility problems?

In May 2022, it was announced that the Queen wouldn't be attending the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in nearly 60 years.

In a statement, the Palace said: "The Queen continues to experience episodic mobility problems, and in consultation with her doctors has reluctantly decided that she will not attend the State Opening of Parliament tomorrow."

The 96-year-old has been forced to sit out major engagements due to mobility issues affecting her knees, hips, and back.

There are fears over whether she will be to make an appearance at her four-day Platinum Jubilee, which starts on Thursday, June 2.

The anniversary will see Brits enjoying a bumper bank holiday weekend to mark her 70 years on the throne.

She had a Covid-related health scare in February 2022, when she tested positive for the virus, but only experienced "mild cold-like symptoms".