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What Is Ataxia?
If you have impaired muscle coordination or control, you might have a type of ataxia. This condition is rare, but it can make it difficult to maintain balance, speak, or move.
"Ataxia" is the medical term that's used to refer to issues with muscle coordination or control. People with ataxia often have trouble with things like movement, balance, and speech.
There are several types of ataxia, and each type has a different cause.
Read on to learn more about the types of ataxia, the causes, common symptoms, and possible treatment options.
Ataxia describes an impairment of muscle control or coordination.
This can affect different types of movements, including but not limited to:
The area of your brain that coordinates movement is called the cerebellum. It's located at the base of your brain just above the brain stem.
Damage to — or degeneration of — the nerve cells in or around the cerebellum can result in ataxia. Genes you inherit from your parents may also cause ataxia.
Ataxia can affect people of any age. It's often progressive, meaning that symptoms worsen over time. The rate of progression can vary by person as well as by type of ataxia.
Sometimes the term "ataxia" is used to describe movement symptoms in people with other conditions. But ataxia as a condition in itself is rare. Friedreich's ataxia, the most common type, affects about 1 in 50,000 people in the United States.
Ataxia can be:
Below, we'll look at each type of ataxia in more detail and what causes it.
Inherited ataxiaInherited ataxias develop from mutations in specific genes that you inherit from your parents. These mutations can lead to damage or degeneration of nerve tissue, which leads to symptoms of ataxia.
Inherited ataxia is typically passed down in two different ways:
Some examples of dominant inherited ataxias are:
Recessive inherited ataxias can include:
Acquired ataxia occurs due to nerve damage from external factors, such as an injury, as opposed to inherited genes.
Some examples of things that can lead to acquired ataxia include:
Sometimes no specific cause of ataxia can be found. In these cases, the ataxia is referred to as idiopathic.
Affected regionsAtaxia can also be grouped according to which part of the nervous system is affected. The location of nerve damage tends to be associated with particular symptoms of ataxia.
Cerebellar ataxiaThe cerebellum is a region of the brain. Most ataxias are categorized as "cerebellar," meaning they are related to the cerebellum. There are two subtypes of cerebellar ataxia:
Sensory ataxia can be related to nerve problems in the spinal cord, vision system, or peripheral nerves. These parts of your nervous system help your body sense its own location and movements — also known as proprioception. Issues with these nerves are usually associated with problems with walking.
People with sensory ataxia also tend to have trouble standing with their feet together and eyes closed. This is known as a Romberg test.
Vestibular ataxiaVestibular ataxia is related to the vestibular system. The vestibular system includes nerves that connect from the inner ear to the cerebellum (brain). Damage to this area can cause problems with vertigo, balance, and hearing.
Some of the most common symptoms of ataxia can include:
It's important to remember that ataxia symptoms can vary by the type of ataxia as well as its severity.
To make a diagnosis, your doctor will first request your medical history. They'll ask whether you have a family history of inherited ataxia.
They may also ask about the medications you take and your alcohol consumption. They'll then perform physical and neurological evaluations.
These tests can help your doctor assess things like your:
Your doctor may also request additional tests, or refer you to a neurologist for further care. Additional tests that can be ordered by a doctor or neurologist include:
The specific treatment will depend on the type of ataxia and how severe it is. In some cases of acquired ataxia, treating the underlying cause, such as an infection or a vitamin deficiency, can ease symptoms.
There's no cure for many kinds of ataxia. However, there are several interventions that may help ease or manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
These include:
If you have symptoms of ataxia with no known cause, it's important to talk with a doctor. They can help diagnose what's happening and initiate any follow-up care that may be needed.
It's best not to ignore symptoms like difficulty with:
Sudden changes in these functions can potentially indicate a medical emergency, such as stroke. If you suspect someone is having a stroke or other medical emergency, contact your local emergency services right away.
Ataxia is a lack of muscle coordination and control. People with ataxia have trouble with things like movement, fine motor tasks, and maintaining balance.
Ataxia can be inherited or acquired, or it can have no identifiable cause. Symptoms, progression, and age of onset can vary depending on the type of ataxia.
Sometimes treating the underlying cause can relieve ataxia symptoms. Medications, assistive devices, and physical therapy are other options that may help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
See your doctor if you have symptoms like loss of coordination, slurred speech, or trouble swallowing that can't be explained by another condition.
Your doctor will work with you to diagnose your condition and develop a treatment plan.
Diagnosis And Treatment Of Friedreich Ataxia: A European Perspective
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