Ataxia

Ataxia is a common symptom of many conditions, and it sometimes could be a condition on its own, but this isn’t common.

Ataxia

Ataxia is when the patient starts to do clumsy movements due to poor muscle control and coordination. Ataxia can affect balance, walking, eye movements, speech, swallowing, and hand coordination.

Causes of ataxia

Ataxia occurs due to damage in the part of the brain that’s called the cerebellum or its connections. This could occur due to hereditary causes, degenerative causes, like multiple system atrophy, and acquired causes, including:

• Alcohol.
• Toxins.
• Not having enough of certain vitamins, such as vitamin E, vitamin B12, and vitamin B1, or having increased amounts of vitamin B6.
• Certain medicines, like phenytoin, phenobarbital, and benzodiazepines.
• Some conditions, such as stroke, head traumas like concussion, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune diseases like sarcoidosis, thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism, COVID-19, and some infections like HIV and Lyme disease.
• Paraneoplastic syndrome.
• Cerebral palsy.
• Brain changes.

Symptoms of ataxia

Symptoms of ataxia might manifest suddenly or take time to start, and they include:

• Bad coordination and balancing.
• Not being able to walk steadily or walking with the feet set wide apart.
• Problems speaking and swallowing.
• Not being able to control eye movements.
• Trouble with simple motor skills, such as buttoning a shirt, writing, and eating.

Diagnosis of ataxia

• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests.
• Lumbar puncture.
• Genetic tests.

Treatment of ataxia

• Treating ataxia depends on the cause.