1. Familiarize Yourself With the Different Types
Before you know if a loss of muscle coordination is caused by ataxia, you need to define the different types of this physical impairment. Sporadic ataxia, for instance, progresses very slowly and may be difficult to diagnose, especially if there is no family history of neurological disease. Cerebellar ataxia originates from a dysfunction in the cerebellum, usually caused by a lesion of the brain. Sensory ataxia is a function of the spinal cord and may interfere with the way sensations are processed in the brain. Vestibular ataxia affects balance and equilibrium and may cause dizziness, nausea and even vomiting.
2. Recognize the Most Common Symptoms of Ataxia
Most of the obvious symptoms of ataxia are related to muscle coordination and body control. One of the easiest ways to identify ataxia is by a general loss of coordination of the hands, arms and legs, often resulting in "clumsiness" or a loss of balance. In addition, slurred speech can be a rather common symptom of most types of ataxia. Other symptoms may include slow eye movement, heavy or labored breathing patterns and difficulty in swallowing. In advanced cases of ataxia, cardiac or respiratory distress may become life threatening due to the inability of muscles (including the heart) to operate in a normal, healthy manner.
3. Understand the Causes of Ataxia
In many cases, ataxia is a genetic condition that is passed down from generation to generation. If you have a family history of ataxia, that increases the chance that you will develop this neurological disorder during your lifetime. Ataxia can be a symptom of a much more serious condition, however, such as dementia and multiple sclerosis. In addition, ataxia can be caused by alcoholism, stroke or even a head injury. If you're suffering from any of these conditions, it may be easier for a health care professional to identify the symptoms as ataxia.
