Ataxia
Ataxia is a loss of control of muscle movements due to damage to brain cells or nerves resulting in slurred speech, difficulty in walking or swallowing, abnormal eye movements, etc.
Ataxia can affect any person with any age group.
Causes:
It is caused by the degeneration of nerve and brain cells.
Excessive intake of alcohol.
Brain tumor
Head injury: damage to the cerebellar part of the brain that
controls muscle movements of the body.
Meningitis
Encephalitis
Cerebral palsy
Vitamin E and vitamin B12 deficiency.
Types of Ataxia:
Cerebellar ataxia: cerebellar is the part of the brain that controls the muscle movements of the body.
Injury to the cerebellar part of the brain causes symptoms like:
1. Slurred speech.
2. Difficulty in walking.
3. Tremors.
4. Abnormal eye movements, etc.
Sensory ataxia: it happens after the damage to the nerve or spinal cord. Nerve damage can cause loss of sensation in feet and legs.
Symptoms:
1. Loss of sensation in feet.
2. Difficult walking in dim light.
Vestibular ataxia: vestibular system is made up of two structures i.e. bony labyrinth of inner ear and the canal and this contains fluid between them. It helps in coordination of body movements especially legs and ear movements. Imbalance of the vestibular system results in ataxia.
It may cause vertigo. Nausea, hearing loss and vision problems.
Another types:
In acquired ataxia: in acquired ataxia ,symptoms are developed after injury to the brain.
Hereditary ataxia: in this type, symptoms start slowly and progress gradually in the patient as the patient grows older. The patient usually acquires disease from either of his/her parents.
Idiopathic late onset cerebellar ataxia: exact cause is unknown.
Symptoms:
1. Poor control of muscle movements. 2. Difficulty in walking.
3. Abnormal eye movements.
4. Slurred speech.
5. Difficulty in swallowing.
6. Vertigo
7. Tremors
8. Hearing loss
9. Nausea and vomiting
10. Numbness of feet and legs.
Diagnosis:
CT scan and MRI scan: to see the structure of the brain, if any abnormal growth is there .
Examination of spinal fluid:
Electromyography: to see the electrical activity of muscles.
CBC: to rule out infection, tumour, carcinoma, etc.
Complications:
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Erectile dysfunction
Increased spasm of muscles. Tremor.
Bladder dysfunction.
Management :
Take a healthy nutritional diet. Avoid alcohol.
Avoid tobacco smoking.
Exercise daily.
Maintain body weight.
Manage blood pressure and diabetes.
Homeopathy treatment :
Alumina : alumina is the best indicated medicine for ataxia with heavy feeling of limb and staggering gait. People can walk in the daytime but are unable to stand at night. Constricted feeling of esophagus with difficulty in swallowing.
Argentum nitricum : argentum nitricum is given when there is trembling of limbs while walking . their difficulty in control over limbs while walking or standing.
Causticum : causticum is marked in tendency to fall forward and sideways. Frequently falling off. Unsteady walk . trembling of hands and legs.
Gelsemium : gelsemium can be given in ataxia due to weak muscle . there is no coordination of muscle control with excessive weakness. Difficulty in speech and trembling of tongue is marked in this medicine.
