50 Photos That Capture The Split Second Before Disaster Hits And They’re Hilarious

If you've never had a silly, clumsy accident, who are you even? Many of us drop things, spill things, trip and fall, or even walk into sliding doors now and again. We laugh - or cuss - off these minor disasters, and for the most part, they're nothing to be too concerned about.

But at what point should you worry about your clumsiness?

Let's start with the definition of clumsiness. According to Healthline.com, it is poor coordination, movement, or action. Research shows that as we age, we are likely to get more clumsy. This is because brain function plays a role in coordination. And when we get older, our brains become less efficient due to structural damage and decreased neurotransmitter levels.

"This forces us to rely more on cognitive processes that are supported by the prefrontal cortex, a brain region highly vulnerable to aging," explains Healthline.

If you're finding yourself tripping, falling, dropping things, or bumping into furniture more often than usual, aging might be at play. But your sudden clumsiness could be a result of something more serious...

It's not unusual to be clumsy when you’re distracted or unaware of your surroundings. "But often, sudden issues with coordination paired with another symptom can suggest a serious, underlying health condition," warns Healthline.

Among these health conditions is a stroke. This happens when a blood clot forms in the brain and decreases blood flow. Or when a weakened blood vessel bursts in your brain and decreases blood flow. Your brain is deprived of oxygen, and your brain cells begin to wither away.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 795,000 Americans suffer from a stroke every year. Some of them experience paralysis or muscle weakness, leading to poor coordination and stumbling. Aka clumsiness. But before you panic, experts say sudden clumsiness doesn’t always mean a stroke. There will most likely be other symptoms too.

These include slurred speech, pins and needles sensations in your arms or legs, muscle weakness or numbness, a headache and vertigo, which is a feeling that you’re moving or spinning when you’re not.