Ataxia
Alternative Names
AtaxiaWhat is Ataxia
Ataxia is a condition related to the lack of muscle coordination during movements such as walking or picking up objects. Ataxia caused by damage to the cerebellum (a part of the brain) affects movements, speech, eye movements and ability to swallow. Cerebellum controls muscle coordination. In many cases ataxia is an inherited disease.
Signs and symptoms
The most common symptoms of ataxia are:
- Loss of balance
- Poor coordination
- Unsteady walk and stumble
- Difficulty with fine-motor tasks such as eating, writing or buttoning a shirt
- Change in speech
- Involuntary back-and-forth eye movements (nystagmus)
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
Possible complications
The list of ataxia complications includes:
- Problems with coordination
- Speech difficulties
- Depression
What causes
Many conditions may cause ataxia:
- Alcohol abuse
- Stroke
- Tumor
- Cerebral palsy
- Multiple sclerosis
It is common to inherit a defective gene that causes ataxia.
Prevention
There is no known ways to prevent this condition.
Treatment
Principally there is no treatment specifically for ataxia but for its causes. In many cases ataxia might not be treatable. For ataxia caused by multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy adaptive devices can be recommended such as:
- Canes or walkers for walking
- Modified utensils for eating
- Communication aids for speaking
For treating ataxia certain therapies may be beneficial including:
- Physical therapy to help you build strength and enhance your mobility
- Occupational therapy to help you with daily living tasks such as feeding yourself
- Speech therapy to improve speech and aid swallowing
