Ataxia
Ataxia
Ataxia is a term for a group of neurological conditions that affect balance, coordination and speech. It can affect any part of the body, and its effects vary from person to person.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Causes
অ্যাটাক্সিয়ার বেশিরভাগ ক্ষেত্রে এর কারণ হলো মস্তিষ্কের সেরিবেলাম নামের অংশে ক্ষতি হওয়া। মেরুদণ্ড বা স্নায়ুতে ক্ষতি হলেও এটি হতে পারে।
মেরুদণ্ড হলো স্নায়ুর একটি লম্বা গুচ্ছ, যা শিরদাঁড়া বরাবর নেমে মস্তিষ্ককে শরীরের অন্যান্য অংশের সঙ্গে যুক্ত করে।
সেরিবেলাম মস্তিষ্কের নিচের দিকে থাকে এবং এটি নিয়ন্ত্রণ করে:
- চোখের নড়াচড়া
- কথা বলা
- হাত ও পায়ের সমন্বয়
- ভারসাম্য
Diagnosis
Diagnosing ataxia
It can be difficult to get a diagnosis of the specific type of ataxia because there are many conditions that can appear very similar.
A neurologist (doctor that specialises in conditions affecting the brain) might need to do a number of tests to give an accurate diagnosis and this can take some time.
If your symptoms suggest you’ve acquired ataxia because of a serious underlying condition, you’ll likely be admitted to hospital. If not, you’ll be referred to a neurologist for more tests.
A doctor might ask about your symptoms and how they’ve progressed. They might assess your balance, walking and co-ordination.
The doctor might ask how much alcohol you drink and what medication you take. This is because drinking too much and some medications can cause symptoms similar to ataxia in some people.
You might be referred for blood or urine tests to rule out other causes like infection.
The doctor will also ask if you have a family history of ataxia. Even if no one in your family is affected, this does not mean ataxia cannot be inherited.
A brain scan might be used to check for physical changes in the brain that could be caused by certain types of hereditary ataxia.
You might have a computerised tomography (CT scan) or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Other test you might have to help your doctor diagnose ataxia might include:
- a lumbar puncture to take a sample of cerebrospinal fluid from the base of the spine to check for infection
- electromyography (EMG) or nerve conduction studies to test the electrical activity in nerves and muscles
- videoflouroscopy (a moving X-ray) while you swallow different types of food and drink
- an electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess the electrical activity of the heart
- an echocardiogram which is an ultrasound scan of the heart
Treatment
There is no complete cure for ataxia. But if your doctor can find out what is causing it, treating that underlying cause can sometimes ease your symptoms or keep the condition from getting worse. Even when the cause cannot be fixed, there are still treatments that can help you manage the symptoms.
Treating the underlying cause
If your doctors know what is causing your ataxia, and that cause can be treated, your symptoms may improve or at least stop getting worse.
Your underlying cause may be treatable if you have one of the following:
- Ataxia caused by vitamin E deficiency: this often improves with vitamin E supplements.
- Episodic ataxia: this can often be improved with a medicine called acetazolamide, along with avoiding triggers such as caffeine, stress and alcohol.
- Acquired ataxia: if it is caused by something like an infection, treatment with antibiotics or antiviral medicine may help.
If acquired ataxia has been caused by brain damage from a stroke or a severe head injury, it may not be possible to treat the condition itself.