What is Ataxia?
Ataxia is a degenerative disease relating to the nervous system, causing impaired coordination. While Ataxia mimics the symptoms of intoxication, such as losing balance or experiencing slurring speech, it is caused by damage to the part of the brain that regulates coordination – the cerebellum. This rare disease ultimately causes loss of speech and fine motor skills, affecting patients’ ability to walk.
What are the symptoms of Ataxia?
- Multiple sclerosis
- Strokes
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Trouble eating or swallowing
- Abnormalities in eye movement
- Tremors
How is Ataxia diagnosed?
- Genetic Testing can determine whether a person is predisposed to Ataxia due to specific gene mutations that increase the risk of such inherited conditions.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a powerful magnetic field coupled with radio waves to identify any brain haemorrhages, strokes, or head injuries that could indicate Ataraxia.
What is the treatment for Ataxia?
Unfortunately, there is no presently-available cure for Hereditary Ataxia. However, several measures can be taken to ensure that patients can live as independently as possible, though no medication can alleviate the pain caused by specific symptoms of this disease. Devices like canes, crutches, and wheelchairs can be used to facilitate movement, while speech therapy can fortify patients’ ability to communicate. Given the nature of this disease, patients are likely to experience depression and are medicated accordingly. However, researchers are working on studying cerebellum degeneration to investigate the origin of Ataxia and its cures.
