What is ataxia?

Ataxia comes from the Greek taxaia , which means literally "no order". It is a blanket referring to the loss of the ability to control muscles. There are a number of causes and treatments. Hereditary ataxia can usually be traced to a family history and can be associated with mutations of twenty -two genes. These mutations are referred to as "spinocerebellar type 1" to 22-in a shortcut, simply referred to as Sca1-22. Sporadic ataxia is a form that is not associated with a genetic defect. In all cases, they are inherited from the defective gene and the identification of these genes continues at an encouragement pace. Some of the many types include Machado-Joseph of disease, ataxia with ophthalmoflegia, spinopontin atrophy, ataxia with ethinopathy and movable slow eye ataxia.

The sporadic type is very difficult to diagnose and doctors will often fight because they exclude every hereditary option before making a final diagnosis. Some of the many terms used to describe sporadic ataxia are spastic ataxia, Menzel's ataxia, Marie's ATAxia, Holmes' Ataxia, sporadic atrophy and most often sporadic OPCA or sporadic olivopontocerebellar atrophy.

Diagnosis is usually based on observing neurological symptoms and possibly the existence of other affected family members. The common symptoms that may be caused by this condition include suffocation (dysphagia), limb uncoordination, minor speech (dysarthria) and stiffness of movement. Most doctors first try to exclude other causes of these symptoms such as recent stroke or multiple sclerosis, before making a final diagnosis

After the initial diagnosis, the patient should immediately consult a specialist in neurology for a second diagnosis after eliminating all alternative neurological causes. Ataxia is currently incurable, and therefore the task that most people who are diagnosed are learned to adapt to their management. Finding qualified PLive is an important first step, as well as monitoring physical and speech therapies, and finding a support community that will learn to live with a new disease.