Ataxia refers to a gradual or sudden decline in muscle coordination while walking, speaking, swallowing or balancing. While ataxia can occur on its own, the condition also develops as a symptom of other neurological issues, including strokes, tumors and multiple sclerosis.
Speak with a Bayhealth neurology team member about ataxia.
Types of Ataxia
The three main forms of ataxia include the following.
- Cerebellar: The most common form of ataxia, cerebellar ataxia affects the part of your brain that manages muscle coordination.
- Sensory: This type of ataxia affects your sense of “self-positioning,” which helps your brain determine where each part of your body is, even if you can’t see it.
- Vestibular: Relating to the inner-ears, which are essential to your sense of balance, vestibular ataxia can contribute to issues around movement and coordination.
Signs and Symptoms
While symptoms of ataxia vary—and often depend on how the condition developed—there are several common signs, which include the following.
- Declining motor skills
- Unsteadiness
- Imbalance
- Slurred speech
- Tremors
- Uncontrollable movements, especially of the eyes
- Issues swallowing food or water
These symptoms may also indicate a neurological condition separate from ataxia. If you’ve been experiencing slurred speech or a decline in balance and coordination, call to schedule an appointment with a Bayhealth neurology expert.
Risk Factors & Preventions
Among the factors that can contribute to ataxia are the following.
- Heavy Alcohol Use: Excessive use of alcohol over a long period of time may increase your risk for developing ataxia.
- Medication: Some medications prescribed for other conditions—such as anti-seizure drugs and certain sedatives—may increase your risk for ataxia.
- Thyroid Condition: Having hypothyroidism or hypoparathyroidism may increase your risk of developing ataxia.
- Stroke: Ataxia is one of many health complications that can develop following a stroke.
- Multiple Sclerosis: People living with degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis or multiple system atrophy have a higher risk for developing ataxia.
- Head Trauma: Sustaining a head injury such as a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) can heighten your risk for developing ataxia.
- Family History: A family history of ataxia can increase the risk that you will develop the condition at some point in your life.
How We Diagnose Ataxia
Our experts use the following procedures to diagnose ataxia.
- Blood Test: While not always necessary to diagnose ataxia, blood tests can help our experts to rule out other neurological conditions.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): A combination of a magnetic field and radio waves creates three-dimensional images of your brain to identify abnormalities.
- Computerized Tomography (CT): Certified experts use computer-processed X-rays to generate a scan of your body in “slices” to create highly accurate images.
- Lumbar Puncture: During this procedure, a small amount of fluid is extracted from your spinal canal for analysis in a pathology lab. Also known as a spinal tap, the lumbar puncture can determine if an underlying illness is causing your ataxia.
- Genetic Testing: A family history of ataxia can increase the risk that you will develop the condition at some point in your life. Our experts may order genetic testing to determine if a hereditary gene change could be causing your ataxia.
Treatment Options
Treatment of ataxia often depends on how the condition developed. In some cases, treating the underlying issue can resolve the symptoms of ataxia. Our experts may recommend a range of therapies to improve your mobility and manage your physical symptoms, including physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy.
If your ataxia was caused by conditions such as multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy, the best course of action might be to incorporate adaptive devices into your daily routines. Devices such as walkers, canes and hiking sticks can help with movement and balance, while modified utensils and communication aids can help with issues related to eating or speaking.
Learn more about neurological conditions treated by Bayhealth experts, or call to schedule an appointment to speak with a neurology team member.