Is Being Left-Handed Bad for Your Health?

According to estimates, about 10 percent of the world’s population is left-handed, while one percent of people are mixed-handed, which means they do not have a dominant hand. Handedness, or the dominance of one hand, can help provide an insight into how the brain is wired.

It can also provide a window into disorders related to brain development, like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, (ADHD), dyslexia, and schizophrenia, all of which are more widespread in left-handed people. However, only a neurologist can confirm these claims.

However, being a lefty doesn’t cause any health problem per se, but for some reason, left-handed people are more susceptible to certain chronic conditions. Here are some pitfalls of being left-handed:

1-Sleeping Difficulties:

If you are a lefty and find it hard to fall asleep at night, it could be because of a limb movement disorder. According to an American College of Chest Physicians study, lefties are more susceptible to limb movement disorder and this may cause them to involuntary move their arms and legs while they are sleeping.

2-Increased Risk Of Psychotic Disorders:

Left-handedness is linked to an increased risk of various and developmental disorders. Even though lefties make up for 10 percent of the world’s population, nearly 20 percent of people suffering from schizophrenia are left-handed.

A Yale University research has found that number to be even higher, without about 40 percent of schizophrenic patients saying that they write using their left hand. The reason behind this is not clear but experts believe that it could be because linked to brain lateralization.

3-Problems In School:

Left-handed kids might struggle in school too. According to a study, right-handed pupils perform better than their left-handed counterparts academically. Lefties get lower scores in skills such as vocabulary, social development, reading, and writing. The results did not change even when variables such as parental involvement and socioeconomic status were controlled.

4-Low Income:

A Harvard study has shown that lefties typically make about 9 to 19 percent less money than their right-handed peers. Moreover, lefties are also most likely to drop out of college, and the chances of landing a high-paying job without a college degree are slim.

5-Greater Risk Of Experiencing Post-traumatic Stress Disorder:

Research has shown that left-handed people are more likely to experience symptoms related to post-traumatic stress after an unfavorable or stressful situation. They are also more likely to express more negative emotion before and after the incident.

6-Mood Disorders:

Left-handed people also tend to cling on to negative experiences longer and they tend to replay arguments in their head and take a long time to move on.  Lefties usually require more time to process their feelings and make peace with it.

If you have any health-related concerns, it is recommended that you visit a doctor. You can find and book an appointment with a top neurologist in Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Islamabad through oladoc.com. You can also call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT Doctor for your health concerns.