Ataxia is a movement disorder that is caused by problems within the brain. This condition can cause a variety of different symptoms, from having trouble moving body parts to loss of balance or dizziness. The word ataxia means “without coordination,” which is a perfect description of the way that people with ataxia move.
This is not a disorder or a disease by itself, Ataxia is actually a sign of an underlying condition that is causing these movement problems. Doctors have identified as many as 100 different kinds of ataxias, all related to different problems and connected with different parts of the body.
The three main kinds of ataxia are cerebellar (brain), sensory (nerves), and vestibular (ears). These conditions all have different symptoms that help doctors to define which kind of ataxia a patient is suffering from.
As mentioned above, each type of ataxia has a different cause. Brain ataxia is caused by a variety of different conditions, usually characterised by a slow deterioration of the cerebellum. Sensory ataxia is caused by an injury to the spinal cord or the peripheral nervous system. Vestibular ataxia can be caused by injury or infection of the inner ear, as well as other disorders that damage the inner ear. Some ataxias are genetic, while others are related to injuries. Many other kinds of ataxia have unknown causes.
The risk factors for ataxia are:
Diagnosis of ataxia is made through the use of a physical exam to collect information about the symptoms that a patient is experiencing. Your doctor might call for a variety of tests to check your reflexes, memory, vision, coordination, and muscle function. You might also need to have an MRI or CT scan to look at your brain and spinal cord.
Spinal taps can be used to rule out spine-specific diseases or identify the presence of infections or other pathogens. Genetic testing might also be done to verify your condition, but not all ataxias can be identified using this type of test.
Prevention of ataxia is not always possible. If you are engaged in risk-taking behaviour that could lead to a head injury, you should at least wear a helmet while you engage in these activities. You should also avoid abuse of alcohol and should not take street drugs.
Treatment of this condition depends upon the type of ataxia that you have. There is not one specific treatment for this condition as the symptoms can vary widely in this disorder. If you have a vitamin deficiency or any infection or injury that is causing the ataxia, these situations are often easy to address through medications and supportive care.
For ataxia that is caused by another health disorder or condition, treatment of the underlying cause will need to be directed by your doctor. You might also need to have physical or occupational therapy or speech therapy to help you to improve some of the symptoms of ataxia. Counselling is also a common treatment to help patients contend with this condition.