As the most common neurological disorder, Ataxia affects millions of people worldwide. Ataxia is characterized by difficulty with muscle control in two or more body parts and causes the person to have problems with movement. It is usually acquired through a trauma to the spinal cord or brain, although sometimes there is no known cause.
Damage to the cerebrum is a common cause of Ataxia and can happen due to accident or disease (acquired ataxia) or due to a hereditary faulty gene (heredity ataxia). Often, the cerebrum or central nervous system degenerates due to an inherited faulty gene from either the mother or father. At times, there is no apparent reason why the brain or spinal cord degenerate. In these cases, the damage is caused by something other than a neurological disorder. However, if a person is not able to determine where the damage in the brain is originating, it can be difficult to treat.
The cerebrum and brain contain cerebrospinal fluid, which helps the brain process signals from the muscles. However, when the central nervous system or the cerebrospinal fluid is damaged, the central nervous system cannot properly process and transmit signals to the muscles, causing Ataxia. For example, in a person with progressive supranuclear palsy, the condition is characterized by a slow loss of muscle tone and loss of muscle co-ordination, combined with abnormal muscle function (such as leg weakness and difficulty bending forward).
Ataxic patients are also known to be uncoordinated due to their impairment of motor functions. Because of this, they may have difficulties with using their arms and legs, with balance and coordination. The condition can cause the patient to lose balance and walk unaided, or to be unable to stand on one foot.
As mentioned earlier, the cause of Ataxia can be either a genetic or non-genetic problem and can affect both the patient and others around them. Because Ataxia causes damage to the nerve cells that produce cerebrospinal fluid, other nerve cells in the brain may suffer damage, causing problems with coordination and motor function.
Many children are diagnosed with ataxia during childhood. It usually occurs at age 2 or early adulthood, with symptoms onset in the late teens or early twenties. This may be due to developmental delay or problems with speech and language development.
Ataxia is a genetic disease, not a disease caused by external stimuli. People with ataxia have certain hereditary characteristics, such as a reduced ability to turn their eyes in the direction of light. This characteristic means that they cannot adjust their eyes to the amount of light entering the room. Some people have impaired eye movement (glaucoma) and a reduced level of visual perception.
A person with ataxia may be left partially or completely unable to move their legs. They may also be unable to walk or stand up without assistance or support. These are all known symptoms of ataxic spondylosis.
There are various treatments for this condition. The main types of treatment are physiotherapy, medical, surgical and rehabilitation treatment.
Physiotherapy is used to improve a person's mobility. The therapy includes the exercises described at kopertis which strengthen the muscles that support the nerves, allowing the person with ataxia to regain some of their independence. A rehabilitation program is used to help a person with ataxia become stronger and more functional and move more easily. In some cases, this may be surgery.
Medications are used to reduce a person's muscle damage caused by ataxia. Medications are also used to reduce muscle tone. and prevent further damage. Most of the drugs used have a long half-life, although severe cases may require surgery.
