DISEASES
description
Ataxia is a general disease term that describes a lack of muscle control or coordination of voluntary movements and often signifies a number of neurological disorders that can develop over time or come on suddenly. The onset of ataxia is associated with poor coordination, unsteady walk and a tendency to stumble, eating, writing or buttoning a shirt, change in speech, involuntary back-and-forth eye movements (nystagmus) or difficulty swallowing.
There are many causes of ataxia, including alcohol misuse, certain medications, stroke, tumor, cerebral palsy, brain degeneration and multiple sclerosis. Inherited genetic changes can also be involved. Persistent ataxia usually results from damage to the part of your brain that controls muscle coordination (cerebellum). In some patients with ataxia, there is an autoimmune (idiopathic ataxia) cause and hence studies of specific antibodies can help explain the reason for ataxia but also give some insight into treatments.
Symptoms
- Poor coordination
- Unsteady walk and a tendency to stumble
- Difficulty with fine motor tasks, such as writing
- Change in speech
- Involuntary back-and-forth eye movements(nystagmus)
- Difficulty swallowing