Ataxia
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What Is Ataxia?
Ataxia is a movement disorder caused by problems in the brain. When you have ataxia, you have trouble moving parts of your body the way you want. Or the muscles in your arms and legs might move when you don’t want them to. The word ataxia actually means “without coordination.”
Ataxia isn’t a disorder or a disease itself — it’s a sign of other underlying disorders or diseases. Doctors have discovered anywhere from 50 to 100 different ataxias. They are grouped into categories based on what causes them, or based on which part of the body they affect.
What are the types of Ataxia?
Ataxia is caused by damage to different areas of the central nervous system. Doctors categorize it by the specific part of the brain most affected, including:
- Cerebellar (brain)
- Sensory (nerves)
- Vestibular (ears)
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What Causes Ataxia?
Around 150,000 people in the U.S. deal with some form of ataxia. There are different causes for it. Some are genetic, some are acquired, like injuries, and some have no known clear cause.
Genetic. You can inherit a certain mutated, or changed, gene from one or both of your parents that causes ataxia. Or you may inherit a mutated gene that causes a disorder with ataxia as a symptom.
Some of the specific types of genetic ataxia include:
- Ataxia telangiectasia
- Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia
- Dominant spastic ataxias
- Dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA)
- Episodic ataxia
- Friedreich's ataxia
- Recessive spastic ataxias
- Wilson’s disease
Acquired. Acquired ataxia occurs when you have damage to your spinal cord or nerves. The damage might be from an injury or an illness.
Some of the causes of acquired ataxia could include:
- Brain Tumors
- Brain hemorrhage (bleeding)
- Cerebral palsy
- Chickenpox
- Hydrocephalus, or too much fluid buildup in the brain
- Head trauma
- Multiple sclerosis
- Reactions to certain cancers
- Vitamin E or B12 deficiency
You can also get ataxia if you have a reaction to certain medications, from alcohol or drug use, or from exposure to poison.
Idiopathic. When you haven’t inherited a mutated gene or had an illness or injury that could have caused your ataxia, it’s called idiopathic ataxia. Your doctor will diagnose you with idiopathic ataxia if they can’t find a medical reason for your ataxia symptoms.
The most common idiopathic ataxia is called multiple system atrophy, or MSA. Doctors haven’t pinned down possible causes for this group of ataxias. They may come from a combination of environmental factors and genetic causes.
getting diagnosed with Ataxia
In order to diagnose your ataxia, your doctor will give you a physical exam. They’ll check your balance and coordination, hearing, vision, reflexes, and memory.
You’ll also need a neurological exam, which might include an MRI or CT scan. These look at the structure of your brain for problems.
For some cases, your doctor may recommend tests of your spinal fluid. To do this, they’ll insert a needle into your lower back and draw out the fluid to send it to a lab for testing.
To rule out genetic forms of ataxia, you may need genetic testing. But, not all genetic forms of ataxia have tests to find them.
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treatment for Ataxia
The best treatment for your ataxia symptoms depends on the type you have. There is no specific treatment for ataxia itself. If your ataxia is a symptom of another disorder, your doctor will treat that disorder.
If it’s due to a cause that you can avoid, like lack of vitamins or exposure to poison, your doctor will help you address the problem causing the ataxia.
In order to help you cope with your symptoms, your doctor may recommend:
- Counseling
- Physical or occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Support groups