Treatment Options For Asterixis

Commonly known as a flapping tremor or a liver flap, asterixis is a neurological symptom. Patients with this symptom suddenly lose muscle control, and it typically affects the wrist and fingers. For example, most patients exhibit a flapping motion of the fingers when they extend their wrist. The flapping occurs on both sides of the body. Asterixis was first identified in the 1940s in patients who had liver disease. Doctors perform a series of neurological tests, checking the hands, fingers, wrists, and arms for weakness and ruling out any other conditions when diagnosing asterixis. Neurologists may also check reflexes, grip strength, coordination, and range of motion.