Do you sometimes feel like you're off balance, stumbling, and your limbs are not working properly when you walk? You might be thinking, "What's wrong with me, I'm just going to fall over." Even though we don't think much about it at times like these, this could be a sign of a problem with our nervous system. That's what we call ataxia in medicine.
Simply put, what is ataxia?
Ataxia is a loss of coordination of the muscles in your body. Think of it this way: your brain is the mastermind behind all your body's movements. To raise an arm, to place a leg, to speak, all of these require instructions from your brain. In ataxia, there is a problem somewhere in this instruction process. As a result, your movements become erratic, awkward, and sometimes even awkward.
The important thing is that ataxia can sometimes be a symptom of another disease. Also, there is a group of diseases called ataxia by the same name.
What is the difference between Ataxia and Apraxia?
Although these two words sound similar, there is a clear difference between these two situations. Understanding this will give you a great insight.
| Status | Simply explained |
|---|---|
| Apraxia | What happens in this is that your brain forgets to do something you already know how to do. For example, someone who knows how to comb their hair with a comb can't figure out how to do it. There's a problem with the 'processing' center in the brain. |
| Ataxia | In this case, the brain knows what to do, but the muscles needed to do it cannot coordinate together. The brain knows that it needs to comb its hair, but it lacks the coordination to hold the comb properly and move its hand directly to its head. |
What are the main types of ataxia?
Ataxia can be divided into three main types depending on how it occurs.
- Cerebellar Ataxia: This is the most common type. At the back of our brain, under the cerebellum , is a small part. This is the main center that controls our body's movements, posture, and balance. This type of ataxia occurs when there is damage to this cerebellum.
- Sensory Ataxia: Do you know where your hands and feet are even when you close your eyes? This is called the 'self-positioning sense'. This is a system that constantly tells the brain about the position of our body. Sensory ataxia occurs when this sense is disrupted. These people have a hard time walking, even when their eyes are closed, or in the dark.
- Vestibular Ataxia: Our inner ear contains a system that is essential for the body's balance. This is called the vestibular system. When there is a problem with this system, for example, an infection, your balance is completely lost. It can feel like you are floating on a boat and then landing on land.
What are the causes of ataxia?
There are many possible causes of ataxia. They can be mainly classified as follows:
- Acquired causes: Conditions or other causes that develop at some point during life. Some of these are temporary and can be cured.
- Inherited: Conditions that are inherited from parents through genes. Examples of these are diseases such as `Friedreich's ataxia` and `ataxia-telangiectasia`.
- Sporadic causes: These are caused by random changes in the genes (DNA) that occur while a fetus is growing in the womb. These are not inherited from the parents.
Some common causes of ataxia include:
- Excessive alcohol consumption: This is why you stumble when you drink too much and get drunk.
- Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs) .
- Brain tumors or other cancers.
- Head accidents and injuries.
- Nervous system diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) .
- Vitamin deficiencies such as vitamin B12 and vitamin E.
- As a side effect of some medications, especially those for epilepsy and depression.
- Decreased thyroid function (Hypothyroidism).
- Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, especially those affecting the brain or ears.
- Celiac disease.
- Exposure to toxins such as chemicals and heavy metals (e.g. mercury).
- Nerve damage caused by sniffing/huffing (huffing) things like gum, gasoline, paint, etc.
- Excessive fatigue and stress.
How is this condition treated?
Treatment for ataxia depends on the cause, so there may be many treatments available.
For example, alcohol-induced ataxia requires no treatment other than to stay awake. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be completely cured with vitamin pills or injections. If it is an infection, antibiotics will be needed.
The most important thing is, don't try to treat yourself without first finding out the exact cause. Only your doctor can tell you what treatment is best for you, based on your symptoms and the necessary tests.
When should you see a doctor?
Sometimes ataxia can be a warning sign of a serious medical condition. Therefore, in the following cases, seek medical advice without delay.
| If you have these symptoms, see a doctor immediately! | |
|---|---|
| Sudden onset | If the ataxia begins suddenly or gradually increases. |
| Other symptoms | If ataxia occurs with severe headache, nausea, and vomiting. |
| Other difficulties | If you have symptoms such as difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), difficulty speaking (aphasia), or rapid, uncontrolled eye movements (nystagmus). |
| Stroke symptoms | If you experience symptoms of a stroke, such as numbness, weakness, or slurred speech on one side of the face, arm, or leg, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. |
| Time | If this situation persists for more than a few days. |
Are there ways to prevent this?
We can't prevent all causes of ataxia, especially hereditary conditions. However, some causes related to our lifestyle can be controlled.
- Alcohol control: Limiting or completely stopping alcohol consumption.
- Healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet is very important to avoid vitamin deficiencies.
- Safety: Wearing protective equipment such as helmets when playing sports or doing jobs that may cause head injuries.
- Treating infections: Seek medical advice and treatment promptly, especially if you have ear infections, rather than letting them go unchecked.
- Avoiding toxic substances: Follow safe practices when working with chemicals. If you suspect that you have ingested a toxic substance, you can call the National Poisons Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
- Be careful with medications: If you think you're experiencing these symptoms because of a medication you're taking, never stop taking it without first talking to your doctor. Some medications can cause dangerous side effects if you stop taking them suddenly.
How ataxia affects your life and whether it affects your lifespan depends entirely on the underlying cause. Ataxia caused by temporary causes does not affect your life. However, some hereditary or neurological conditions can have long-term effects. Therefore, only your doctor can give you the best understanding and advice about your condition. Don't be afraid or hesitant to talk to your doctor about your problem.
Take-Home Message
- Ataxia is not just a stumbling block or discomfort, it is a problem with the body's muscle coordination.
- This can be caused by simple causes such as alcoholism and vitamin deficiencies, as well as serious causes such as stroke and brain tumors.
- If ataxia occurs suddenly, or is accompanied by symptoms such as headache, difficulty speaking, or weakness on one side of the body, consider it an emergency and seek medical advice immediately.
- Don't ignore these symptoms. Always see your doctor to determine the exact cause.
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