What is ataxia?
Ataxia is a term used for a group of neurological disorders that affect balance, coordination and speech. There are different types of disorders that can affect people in different ways. Any part of the body can be affected by ataxia, but people in general have difficulty with:
- Maintaining balance and walking
- Speaking
- Difficulty swallowing
- Difficulty writing
- Difficulty eating
- Vision problems
Ataxia is the result of damage to a part of the brain.
What are the different types of ataxia?
There are many different types of ataxia, which can be divided into three main categories:
- Acquired ataxia: This type of ataxia can occur due to an injury to the brain or from a stroke or other brain disease that affects movement and coordination.
- Hereditary ataxia: Occurs in one family and runs in families. Symptoms develop slowly.
- Idiopathic late onset cerebellar ataxia (ILOCA): In this type of ataxia, the cerebellum (a part of the brain) is progressively damaged by unknown causes. These ataxias are rare and begin around age 50 and worsen over time.
What causes ataxia?
Ataxia is the result of damage to one part of the brain (cerebellum) but can also be caused by damage to other parts of the nervous system. There are many underlying conditions that can cause ataxia, such as multiple sclerosis or excessive alcohol consumption. Many ataxias are inherited due to defects in certain genes. The most common hereditary progressive ataxia is Friedreich’s ataxia.
What are the symptoms of ataxia?
The signs of ataxia are
- Poor coordination
- Inability to walk steadily
- Difficulty eating, writing, or buttoning a shirt.
- Speech changes Babbling
- Involuntary side-to-side eye movements
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of balance
How is ataxia treated?
There is no cure for ataxia and supportive treatment is necessary to control symptoms. This helps to improve and cope with living with ataxia. Treatment may include:
- Speech and language therapy
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Medications: To control muscle, bladder, heart, and eye problems.
What is the prognosis for ataxia?
The outlook for life for a person with ataxia depends on the type of ataxia the person is dealing with. Some types of ataxia may remain stable or even improve over time. Unfortunately, most get progressively worse over the years. Life expectancy is short for people with hereditary ataxia, with people living up to 60 years of age. In severe cases, the disease can be fatal in childhood. Ataxia specialists can treat the underlying cause with medication. Research is ongoing to find a cure for ataxia.