Ataxia: Essential Facts for Patients

What Is It?

• Ataxia (ah-TACK-see-uh) means trouble with movement or balance.
• You may feel clumsy, shaky, or off-balance.
• It happens when the brain or nerves are not working well, especially a part of the brain called the cerebellum, which controls movement.

 

What Are the Symptoms of Ataxia?

• You might have:
• Trouble standing or walking
• Walking with your feet far apart
• Swaying or falling when walking
• Shaky hands
• Hard time picking up small things
• Slurred speech (hard to understand)
• Blurry or double vision
• Dizziness

 

What Are the Causes?

Ataxia is a symptom, not a disease. Many things can cause it:

• Injuries to the brain (from a fall, stroke, tumor, or infection)
• Low vitamins, like vitamin B1, B12, or E
• Medicines or toxins, like alcohol, some seizure or heart drugs, or some antibiotics
• Autoimmune problems, like multiple sclerosis or celiac disease
• Thyroid problems or low blood sugar
• Genetic diseases (run in families)
• Brain diseases that get worse over time (like spinocerebellar ataxia or Friedreich’s ataxia)
   

How is it Diagnosed?

Your doctor will:

• Ask about your symptoms and family health
• Do a physical exam
• May order:  
  • A brain scan (like MRI or CT)
  • Blood or urine tests
  • Tests for nerves, speech, and balance
  • Genetic tests (if they think it’s inherited)

 

Is There a Treatment?

It depends on the cause:

• If it’s from low vitamins, infections, or medicines, those can often be fixed.
• Some rare genetic ataxias may have special treatments.
• Even when there is no cure, other treatments can help:
  • Physical therapy – to improve walking and balance
  • Occupational therapy – to help with daily activities
  • Speech therapy – to help you speak clearly

 

Other Important Information

• Some people have gluten ataxia. This means eating gluten (from wheat) can cause ataxia. This can be diagnosed by a blood test, If proven, agluten-free diet may help.
• Some have episodic ataxia, which comes and goes. Stress or exercise can trigger it.
• Research is finding new treatments for genetic ataxias.

 

Where Can I Learn More?

• Ask your doctor or physical therapist.
• Visit trusted websites like:
  • Cleveland Clinic – Ataxia Info
  • National Ataxia Foundation

 

Summary:

• Ataxia means trouble with movement or balance
• Many things can cause it
• Your doctor can help find the cause
• Some of them can be reversed by appropriate treatment 
• There are ways to help you improve, even if there is no cure
   

 

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