What is ataxia?

When you have ataxia, your movements would be erratic or unsteady in nature or maybe even clumsy and not coordinated with your body, indicating a trouble with some parts of your nervous system, whether it's inside your ears or your brain itself.

What are the three main types of ataxia that occur most commonly?

There are three primary forms of ataxia, and each manifests itself in different ways.

• Cerebellar Ataxia: This type of ataxia results from a problem with the cerebellum, which regulates how different parts of the brain interact.
• Sensory Ataxia: Your body has an inborn sense of its own "position in space," a property enabling your brain to know where every body part is. The ability to know where your hands and feet are, even when you do not see them-for example, with your eyes shut or you in a dark room-is an example of this. Your self-positioning sense is disrupted by sensory ataxia.
• Vestibular Ataxia: This type is characterized by a problem with your inner ears, which are part of your sense of balance. It's hard to coordinate your movements when your sense of balance is off.

What are the signs of ataxia?

Depending on the type of ataxia, symptoms can start appearing at any time. The most common symptoms include:

Depending on the kind of ataxia, other symptoms may be manifested at various times. The most common ones include:

• Issues with movement and balance (first affected)
• Poor hand, arm, and leg movement
• Speech slurring
• Wide-based walking gait
• Difficulty eating and writing
• Slow eye movements
• Drops

Ataxia symptoms are similar to many other diseases and medical conditions. For a diagnosis, see your doctor.

How is ataxia diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you about your medical and family history. A neurological and physical examination will also be carried out on you. You might have some of these tests as well:

• Laboratory examinations: This includes urine and blood tests.
• Genetic examinations: These are tests for any abnormalities of chromosome or gene known to increase the risk of an individual in acquiring certain hereditary diseases.
• MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging: This is a test, which uses radio waves, huge magnets, and a computer to make detailed pictures of the body's organs and structures.
• Electromyography and nerve conduction studies and EMG: It is used to assess whether nerves in the limbs are working appropriately.

These tests can also be used to check for other conditions that may be causing the rapid onset of ataxia. Ataxia can present suddenly in some settings. These include:

• Head trauma
• A stroke
• Haemorrhage in the brain
• Infections
• Exposure to certain medications
• A brief interruption to the brain's oxygen supply, such as when breathing or the heart slows or stops

Slow onset of ataxia can be caused by some circumstances. These include:

• Hypothyroidism
• Alcohol abuse
• Low levels of some vitamins
• Exposure to certain environmental factors, drugs, or pharmaceuticals for a long time
• Multiple sclerosis
• Other diseases

How is ataxia treated?

The causative factors behind ataxia determine the line of treatment. Some of these causes may not need to be treated, especially the transient types such as alcohol intoxication. Others may need only mild therapy, such as vitamin pills to supplement a deficiency in vitamin B12.

Your doctor is the best one to guide you on the therapies that will work best for you because there are many causes and each case is different. Their information will be the most relevant to your particular situation.

Can I take care of my own ataxia?

Ataxia symptoms often occur due to fatigue or stress. In these cases, you simply need to relax and take some time off. The same applies to alcohol-induced ataxia (unless when it occurs in harmful proportions).

Although, ataxia isn't always a symptom that you should ignore, treat, or attempt to self-diagnose.

What are some ways to avoid ataxia?

Some of the methods to prevent ataxia are:

Ataxia can be caused by some preventable factors. However, you cannot prevent or remove most of the causes since they occur at unpredictable times. Also, in many instances, you cannot lower the possibility of getting this symptom.

Most of the time, though not always, the following causes of ataxia can be prevented:

• Being intoxicated by alcohol: If you drink very little or do not drink at all, you can prevent ataxia. Ataxia is even more impossible to avoid in drinking for some individuals since they have medical conditions like alcohol intolerance that makes it much easier to get drunk.
• Catastrophic brain injuries and concussions: One of the easiest ways to minimize ataxia risks caused by brain injuries is wearing safety gear and helmets.
• Prescription and recreational drugs, especially antidepressants and anti-epileptic drugs: A preventive approach for ataxia from drug use is the abstinence from the use of these drugs. In case the medicine prescribed is the cause of your ataxia, talk to your doctor first before discontinuing the prescribed medication. You must consult with your doctor prior to quitting certain drugs since some medicines have adverse reactions when taken suddenly or without gradually reducing the dosages.
• Stress and fatigue: One key way to avoid ataxia caused by fatigue is to get enough rest. Stress management is also essential.
• Inhalation of substances such as gasoline, glue, toluene, spray paint, and others: Huffing can cause a number of issues, including ataxia. It is best to avoid or stop taking inhalants like these as soon as possible because abusing them can be fatal.
• Infections, which can be caused by parasites, fungus, viruses, or bacteria, are one of the important strategies that can prevent ataxia from damaging your ears, nervous system, or brain. This is because infections, especially ear infections, can impair your sense of balance.
• Getting to and staying at a healthy weight: Your weight and fitness level are related to several disorders that affect blood flow in your brain, stroke most notably. Maintaining your physical health can sometimes prevent or at least delay the onset of conditions that can cause these problems.
• Exposure to harmful metals, chemicals, or other substances (such as lead or mercury, for example): A way of avoiding ataxia is avoiding harmful substances. Wearing protective clothing and observing safety standards is very important if you must be in close proximity to harmful chemicals.
• Dietary factors and deficiency in vitamins (for example, a deficiency in vitamin B12): You can avoid the dietary inadequacies that cause ataxia by taking a healthy diet.

When should a physician or other healthcare professional treat ataxia?

There are certain indicators that ataxia is a symptom of a more serious issue that requires medical care. If any of the following situations apply to you and you have ataxia, you should consult a healthcare professional:

• If it occurs unexpectedly or if you observe that it worsens with time.
• If specific symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting, occur.
• If it occurs in conjunction with aphasia (difficulty speaking), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), or nystagmus (small, involuntary eye movements).
• If it occurs along with any stroke symptoms.
• If it persists beyond a few days.
• If it's disrupting your schedule and activities.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for ataxia?

Tender Palm Hospital, owned by doctors, is renowned for attracting the most experienced professional in the country. With the finest neurologist and neurosurgeons specialized in ataxia. Tender Palm stands out as the premier Neurology hospital in Lucknow, India. Boasting cutting-edge infrastructure and advanced technology, Tender Palm ensures top-notch medical care for its patients.

To seek an expert consultation for any Neurology condition

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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