What is a ataxic gait?
An unsteady, staggering gait is described as an ataxic gait because walking is uncoordinated and appears to be ‘not ordered’. Many motor activities may be described as ataxic if they appear to others, or are perceived by patients, as uncoordinated.
What is ataxic gait a symptom of?
Persistent ataxia usually results from damage to the part of your brain that controls muscle coordination (cerebellum). Many conditions can cause ataxia, including alcohol misuse, certain medication, stroke, tumor, cerebral palsy, brain degeneration and multiple sclerosis.
What causes ataxic gait?
Ataxic gait disorders occur due to dysfunction of the cerebellum, the part of the brain that is responsible for coordination of movements. Typical causes of cerebellar ataxia include strokes in the cerebellum, alcohol intoxication or chronic alcohol abuse, and multiple system atrophy – cerebellar type (MSA-C).
How do you fix ataxia gait?
There’s no treatment specifically for ataxia. In some cases, treating the underlying cause resolves the ataxia, such as stopping medications that cause it. In other cases, such as ataxia that results from chickenpox or other viral infections, it’s likely to resolve on its own.
How serious is ataxia?
Life expectancy is generally shorter than normal for people with hereditary ataxia, although some people can live well into their 50s, 60s or beyond. In more severe cases, the condition can be fatal in childhood or early adulthood. For acquired ataxia, the outlook depends on the underlying cause.
What part of the brain is affected by ataxia?
Ataxia is usually caused by damage to a part of the brain known as the cerebellum, but it can also be caused by damage to the spinal cord or other nerves. The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerves that runs down the spine and connects the brain to all other parts of the body.
How is ataxia different from weakness?
Special attention should be given to the gait and posture. Ataxia and weakness (paresis) are often confused with each other. The main difference between ataxia and paresis is that ataxia affects coordination without affecting strength, while paresis affects only strength.
What does gait ataxia mean?
The term “ataxic gait” is derived from the words “a,” which means without; “taxia,” which refers to order or regulation; and “gait,” which is a pattern of limb movement in locomotion. Essentially, “ataxic gait” refers to an irregularity of movement patterns.
Is there a cure for ataxia?
Ataxia has no cure. There are no medications that can specifically treat and cure the symptoms of ataxias. However, medications may ease the symptoms by treating the underlying condition that causes the ataxia.
What causes ataxia telangiectasia?
Ataxia telangiectasia is a hereditary disease caused by a mutation in the ATM gene. A defective gene is responsible for ataxia telangiectasia, and a person must get a copy of the gene from both parents to develop the disease.
Does ataxia cause erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction. As a result of underlying nerve damage, some men with ataxia will experience difficulty getting or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction). This can often be treated using a group of medications known as phosphodiesterase-5 ( PDE -5) inhibitors, such as sildenafil (sold as Viagra).