Ataxia (patient information): Difference between revisions
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Ataxia is a condition in which a person cannot make normal body movements and cannot keep proper posture. A person affected by ataxia will have erratic movements. The condition may develop at any stage of life, including during childhood, and it can affect any body part. | Ataxia is a condition in which a person cannot make normal body movements and cannot keep proper posture. A person affected by ataxia will have erratic movements. The condition may develop at any stage of life, including during childhood, and it can affect any body part. | ||
==What are the symptoms of | ==What are the symptoms of Ataxia?== | ||
Symptoms may include: | Symptoms may include: | ||
*Inability to stand without swaying | *Inability to stand without swaying | ||
*A uneven gait that may look like the person is drunk | *A uneven gait that may look like the person is drunk | ||
*Involuntary shifting of the eyes (nystagmus) | *Involuntary shifting of the eyes ([[nystagmus]]) | ||
*Unusual speech patterns such as: | *Unusual speech patterns such as: | ||
**Monotonous tone | **Monotonous tone | ||
**Either rushing words or placing large gaps between syllables | **Either rushing words or placing large gaps between syllables | ||
*Impaired motions | *Impaired motions | ||
* | *[[Tremor]]s in the limbs, particularly towards the end of movements | ||
A patient with ataxia may also experience other neurological symptoms such as dementia, seizures, or a wide array of other disorders. | A patient with ataxia may also experience other neurological symptoms such as [[dementia]], [[seizures]], or a wide array of other disorders. | ||
==What causes | ==What causes Ataxia?== | ||
When there is a problem in the communication between parts of the brain that control movement, ataxia results. Some forms of ataxia are inherited. Such forms include: | When there is a problem in the communication between parts of the brain that control movement, ataxia results. Some forms of ataxia are inherited. Such forms include: | ||
*Friedreich ataxia | *[[Friedreich ataxia]] | ||
*Type 1 and Type 2 Episodic ataxia | *Type 1 and Type 2 Episodic ataxia | ||
*Fragile X tremor/ataxia syndrome | *Fragile X tremor/ataxia syndrome | ||
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*[[Metabolic disorders]] | *[[Metabolic disorders]] | ||
*Dentatorubro-palidoluysian atrophy | *Dentatorubro-palidoluysian atrophy | ||
*Wilson's disease | *[[Wilson's disease]] | ||
*Vitamin E dificiency | *Vitamin E dificiency | ||
Other causes of ataxia that are not inherited include: | Other causes of ataxia that are not inherited include: | ||
*Multiple sclerosis | *[[Multiple sclerosis]] | ||
*Malabsorption of Vitamin E | *Malabsorption of Vitamin E | ||
*Brain tumor | *Brain tumor | ||
*Brain lesion | *Brain lesion | ||
*Toxins | *[[Toxins]] | ||
*Infection such as HIV, syphilis, or prion disease | *Infection such as [[HIV]], [[syphilis]], or [[prion]] disease | ||
*Paraneoplastic syndrome | *[[Paraneoplastic syndrome]] | ||
*Cerebellar form of multiple system atrophy | *Cerebellar form of multiple system [[atrophy]] | ||
==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
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==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
Outlook varies widely depending on the cause of the ataxia and whether or not a serious condition is the underlying cause of the ataxia. | Outlook varies widely depending on the cause of the ataxia and whether or not a serious condition is the underlying cause of the ataxia. | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.wemove.org/ataxia/ata.html | http://www.wemove.org/ataxia/ata.html | ||
http://www.wemove.org/ataxia/ata_cau.html | http://www.wemove.org/ataxia/ata_cau.html | ||
http://www.wemove.org/ataxia/ata_man.html | http://www.wemove.org/ataxia/ata_man.html | ||
http://www.wemove.org/ataxia/ata_eval.html | http://www.wemove.org/ataxia/ata_eval.html | ||
http://www.wemove.org/ataxia/pediatric/ata_exa.html | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Pediatrics]] | [[Category:Pediatrics]] | ||
[[Category:Pediatrics patient information]] | [[Category:Pediatrics patient information]] | ||
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[[Category:Overview complete]] | [[Category:Overview complete]] | ||
[[Category:Template complete]] | [[Category:Template complete]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Mature chapter]] | ||
{{WH}} | |||
{{WS}} | |||
Latest revision as of 13:40, 1 June 2015
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
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Ataxia |
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Ataxia On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Ataxia is a condition in which a person cannot make normal body movements and cannot keep proper posture. A person affected by ataxia will have erratic movements. The condition may develop at any stage of life, including during childhood, and it can affect any body part.
What are the symptoms of Ataxia?
Symptoms may include:
- Inability to stand without swaying
- A uneven gait that may look like the person is drunk
- Involuntary shifting of the eyes (nystagmus)
- Unusual speech patterns such as:
- Monotonous tone
- Either rushing words or placing large gaps between syllables
- Impaired motions
- Tremors in the limbs, particularly towards the end of movements
A patient with ataxia may also experience other neurological symptoms such as dementia, seizures, or a wide array of other disorders.
What causes Ataxia?
When there is a problem in the communication between parts of the brain that control movement, ataxia results. Some forms of ataxia are inherited. Such forms include:
- Friedreich ataxia
- Type 1 and Type 2 Episodic ataxia
- Fragile X tremor/ataxia syndrome
- Types 1-28 of Spinocerebellar ataxia
Other inherited causes of ataxia include:
- Metabolic disorders
- Dentatorubro-palidoluysian atrophy
- Wilson's disease
- Vitamin E dificiency
Other causes of ataxia that are not inherited include:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Malabsorption of Vitamin E
- Brain tumor
- Brain lesion
- Toxins
- Infection such as HIV, syphilis, or prion disease
- Paraneoplastic syndrome
- Cerebellar form of multiple system atrophy
Who is at highest risk?
Those who have a family history of inherited ataxia may be at higher risk for developing ataxia. Genetic testing may be recommended in these cases.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Many neurological disorders have ataxia as a symptom. Therefore, if you think you might be experiencing ataxia, you should make an appointment with your medical care professional.
Diagnosis
You health care provider can diagnose you of ataxia. During your exam, your doctor will take a full medical history. He will also likely perform a neurological exam and may order laboratory tests. Your doctor may also recommend you undergo medical imaging to look for evidence of strokes or other possible causes of ataxia.
Treatment options
Since there are many causes for ataxia and many types of ataxia, treatments vary greatly. Many treatments focus on treating the underlying condition rather than the ataxic symptoms themselves.
Where to find medical care for Ataxia?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Ataxia
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Outlook varies widely depending on the cause of the ataxia and whether or not a serious condition is the underlying cause of the ataxia.
Sources
http://www.wemove.org/ataxia/ata.html http://www.wemove.org/ataxia/ata_cau.html http://www.wemove.org/ataxia/ata_man.html http://www.wemove.org/ataxia/ata_eval.html http://www.wemove.org/ataxia/pediatric/ata_exa.html