Ataxia is a neurological term that is used to describe loss of movement and coordination. It happens when a part of the brain such as the cerebellum, which controls our gait and movement is inflamed and damaged. This condition is called cerebellar ataxia. It is a rare condition that often affects children aged 2 to 7 years old and occasionally affects the adult as well. This condition is degenerative, meaning that it will get worse with time. Patients with this condition will mimic those of being drunk, such as incoordination, stumbling, falling and slurred speech. Common symptoms of cerebellar ataxia include:
· Poor coordination
· Slurred speech
· Difficulty walking with tendency to stumble and fall
· Unsteady gait
· Difficulty eating and swallowing
· Difficulty with fine motor skills such as buttoning a shirt and writing
· Eye movement disabilities such as nystagmus (involuntary back-and-forth eye movement)
· Tremors
This will of course make life difficult for the patient to continue with their daily life. So, what causes cerebellar ataxia? This article will list some of the diseases that show this condition.
1. Head trauma
Any serious injury to the head might damage the brain or the spinal cord. This situation usually occurs when someone is involved in a heavy accident, such as car accidents. The cerebellum might be affected and when this happens, there is a high chance that the person might get cerebellar ataxia.
2. Stroke
Stroke is a condition where some parts of the brain are damaged due to the inadequate supply of oxygen. If the damaged cells are located in the cerebellum, then cerebellar ataxia will most likely happen. It happens when either a blockage or a bleeding occurs at the blood vessel that is responsible for supplying the brain.
3. Infections
Some infections that affect the brain can cause cerebellar ataxia. It usually happens due to uncommon complications that arise from these infections. The list of infections include Chickenpox, HIV, Lyme disease and also COVID-19. Usually, ataxia that is caused by these infections will resolve over time.
4. Cerebral Palsy
This is a group of permanent disorders that affect a person during their early development, which is before, during or right after birth. A cerebral palsy patient will often have difficulty with their coordination, suggesting a cerebellar damage. Besides, they usually have stiff muscles, weak muscles, tremors, hearing problems, difficulty swallowing and also eye problems.
5. Autoimmune disease
Our immune system is supposed to fight any foreign substance that enters our bodies and keep us healthy. However, any faulty in our body system might occur and cause the immune system to mistakenly attack our own cells. If this attack happens in the cerebellar, the person might experience ataxia. Some of the autoimmune diseases that can cause cerebellar ataxia are multiple sclerosis, sarcoidosis and celiac disease.
6. Abnormalities in the brain
Any abnormalities that occur in the brain will affect its structure. This, in turn, will clearly affect its function as well. Usually, a brain abscess or tumor (cancerous or non-cancerous) that occur in the cerebellum can cause ataxia. The brain function might return back to normal once these abnormalities are taken out from the brain.
7. Toxic reaction
There are a lot of substances that are toxic to the brain. Some medications such as sedatives, anti-epileptic drugs and also chemotherapy can cause cerebellar ataxia. Furthermore, heavy alcohol drinking and also heavy metal poisoning can cause a similar problem.
People affected by cerebellar ataxia might find it difficult to carry their daily tasks. Treatments will usually focus on treating symptoms and doing therapies in order to improve the quality of life. For further inquiries, you can check our DoctorOnCall’s website for more information.