Overview

Ataxia describes poor muscle control that causes clumsy movements. It can affect walking and balance, hand coordination, speech and swallowing, and eye movements.

Ataxia usually results from damage to the part of the brain called the cerebellum or its connections. The cerebellum controls muscle coordination. Many conditions can cause ataxia, including genetic conditions, stroke, tumors, multiple sclerosis, degenerative diseases and alcohol misuse. Certain medicines also can cause ataxia. If ataxia is caused by a condition such as vitamin deficiency or celiac disease, treating the condition may help improve symptoms. Some studies have found that aerobic and strength exercises may be beneficial for some people with ataxia

Causes

Ataxia is caused by damage to the part of the brain called the cerebellum or its connections. The cerebellum is located at the base of the brain and connects to the brainstem. The cerebellum helps control balance, eye movements, swallowing and speech.

There are three major groups of ataxia causes: acquired, degenerative and hereditary.

Acquired causes

• Ataxia is a potential side effect of certain medicines. It can be caused by sedatives such as phenobarbital and benzodiazepines. It also may be caused by anti-seizure medicines, especially phenytoin. Some types of chemotherapy also can cause ataxia.
• Heavy metal poisoning, such as from lead or mercury, and solvent poisoning, such as from paint thinner, also can cause ataxia.
• Too little or too much of certain vitamins.Ataxia may be caused by not getting enough vitamin E, vitamin B-12 or vitamin B-1, also known as thiamine. Too little or too much vitamin B-6 also may cause ataxia. Not getting enough of a certain vitamin is known as a vitamin deficiency. When a vitamin deficiency is the cause of ataxia, it often can be reversed.
• Thyroid conditions.Hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism can cause ataxia.
• Sudden onset of ataxia occurs with a stroke. This may be either due to a blood vessel blockage or bleeding on the brain.
• Multiple sclerosis.This condition may cause ataxia.
• Autoimmune diseases.Several diseases in which the immune system attacks healthy cells, known as autoimmune diseases, can cause ataxia. They can include a disease that causes inflammatory cells to collect in parts of the body, known as sarcoidosis. Or they may include an illness caused by an immune reaction to eating gluten, known as celiac disease. Ataxia also can be caused by certain types of a condition that results in swelling in the brain and spinal cord, called encephalomyelitis.
• Rarely, ataxia may be a symptom of chickenpox in childhood and other viral infections such as HIV and Lyme disease. It might appear in the healing stages of the infection and last for days or weeks. The symptom usually gets better over time.
• COVID-19.Ataxia can result from a serious infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.
• Paraneoplastic syndromes.These are rare degenerative conditions triggered by an immune system response to a cancerous tumor, known as a neoplasm. Paraneoplastic syndromes most often occur from lung, ovarian or breast cancer or lymphoma. Ataxia can appear months or years before the cancer is diagnosed.
• Changes in the brain.An infected area in the brain, known as an abscess, may cause ataxia. And a growth on the brain, such as a cancerous or noncancerous tumor, can damage the cerebellum.
• Head trauma.Brain damage may cause ataxia.
• Cerebral palsy.This is a general term for a group of conditions caused by damage to a child’s brain. The damage may happen before, during or shortly after birth. It affects the child’s ability to coordinate body movements.

Degenerative causes

• Multiple system atrophy.This rare condition affects movements and functions such as blood pressure. It can cause ataxia and other symptoms, including lack of bladder control, fainting after standing up and a sleep behavior condition in which a person acts out dreams.

Hereditary causes

Some types of ataxia and some conditions that cause ataxia are passed down in families. These conditions also are called hereditary. If you have one of these conditions, you may have been born with a genetic change that causes the body to make irregular proteins.

 

 

Symptoms

Ataxia symptoms can develop over time or start suddenly. Ataxia can be a symptom of several nervous system conditions. Symptoms may include:

• Poor coordination.
• Walking unsteadily or with the feet set wide apart.
• Poor balance.
• Trouble with fine motor tasks such as eating, writing or buttoning a shirt.
• Changes in speech.
• Back-and-forth eye movements that can’t be controlled.
• Trouble swallowing.

Treatments

Ataxia treatment depends on the cause. If ataxia is caused by a condition such as vitamin deficiency or celiac disease, treating the condition may help improve symptoms. If ataxia results from chickenpox or other viral infections, it is likely to resolve on its own.

People with Friedreich ataxia can be treated with an oral medicine called omaveloxolone (Skyclarys). The U.S. Food and Drug Association approved the medicine for adults and teenagers 16 and older. In clinical trials, taking the medicine improved symptoms. People who take this medicine need regular blood tests because omaveloxolone can affect liver enzyme and cholesterol levels. Potential side effects of omaveloxolone include headache, nausea, stomach pain, fatigue, diarrhea, and muscle and joint pain.

Symptoms such as stiffness, tremor and dizziness might improve with other medicines. Your healthcare professional also might recommend adaptive devices or therapies.

Adaptive devices

Ataxia caused by conditions such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy might not be treatable. But adaptive devices may help. They include:

• Hiking sticks or walkers for walking.
• Modified utensils for eating.
• Communication aids for speaking.

Therapies

You might benefit from certain therapies, including:

• Physical therapy to help with coordination and enhance mobility.
• Occupational therapy to help with daily living tasks, such as feeding yourself.
• Speech therapy to improve speech and aid swallowing.

Some studies have found that aerobic and strength exercises may be beneficial for some people with ataxia.

Further if  you come across any one with neurological disorder or any kind of disease sufferer you can share us the latest reports of the patient to our email address – query@gtsmeditour.com or you can whatsapp   +91 9880149003 all the reports and MRI clips and get  free second medical opinion from the highly experienced doctors  connected with us from Major hospitals.

Thank you..!