Ataxia : causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

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ATAXIA

• CAUSES SYMPTOMS DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT

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WHAT IS ATAXIA??

• 'Ataxia' means 'lack of order'. People with
  ataxia have problems with movement, balance and
  speech
• Over 10,000 adults in the UK have a form of
  ataxia and about 5,000 children
• Several types of ataxia start in childhood and
  can leave children in wheelchairs, struggling to
  talk and walk
• Friedreich's ataxia is th emost common form
• There is currently no cure for ataxia but many
  research organisation are working to find the
  treatment.

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TYPES OF ATAXIA

• Sensory Ataxia- It occurs due to the loss of
  proprioception. The dorsal column of the spinal
  cord fails to carry proprioception information
  from the body to the brain.
• Vestibular Ataxia- It occurs when there are
  irregularities in the vestibular canal. This type
  of ataxia results in the feeling of vertigo,
  nausea, and vomiting.
• Cerebral Ataxia- It occurs when there is a
  problem in the cerebellum. The abnormalities in
  the cerebellum affect the vision and body balance
  of the patient.

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CAUSES OF ATAXIA

• The most common cause of ataxia is the deficiency
  of Vitamin B12. The other causes of ataxia may
  include
• Brain tumour
• Drug abuse
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Head injury
• Multiple sclerosis
• Infection
• Genetic defect
• Bleeding in the brain
• Exposure to toxic chemicals such as mercury or
  lead
• Trauma

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SYMPTOMS OF ATAXIA??

• The signs and symptoms depend on the type and
  severity of the ataxia. If you experience any of
  the below symptoms, consult a Neurologist.
• Lack of body balance
• Tremors and frequent shivering in the body
• Hearing problems
• Vision impairment
• Fatigue
• Swallowing difficulties
• Speech impairment 
• Headaches
• Dizziness

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DIAGNOSIS OF ATAXIA??

• Electromyography (EMG) It records and evaluates
  the electrical impulses in the muscles.
  Electrodes are placed in the muscles to detect
  the area of the nerve damage.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC) - This test measures
  the amount of blood cells in your body. The
  amount of red and white blood cells and platelets
  is known through this test.

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CONTINUE- DIAGNOSIS OF ATAXIA??

• CT (Computerised Tomography) - It is a technique
  in which several x-rays are taken from a
  different angle and combined later to make
  detailed images of the affected area.
• MRI (Magnetic Resource Imaging) - It is an
  imaging test in which high frequency magnetic and
  radio waves are used to get detailed images of
  inside the brain.
• Urinalysis - This test helps in detecting the
  infection that may be contributing in the
  development of Ataxia.

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WHAT IS ATAXIA??

• Medicines- A doctor prescribes certain medicines
  to boost the patients immunity system and reduce
  the frequency of muscle spasm and uncontrolled
  eye movements.
• Speech therapy- With the help of speech aids, the
  speech therapist deals with problems of coughing,
  swallowing, choking, and speech problems.
• Orthopaedic and Physical therapy- It includes
  particular exercise to increase the strength and
  mobility of the muscle. These therapies are
  effective in the treatment of spine disorders.

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