Ataxia

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Introduction Signs and symptoms Causes When to seek medical advice

Screening and diagnosis Treatment Coping skills

Introduction

Ataxia describes a lack of muscle coordination when you perform voluntary movements, such as walking or picking up objects. It's a sign of an underlying condition, not a disease itself. Ataxia can affect any part of your body — affecting your movements, your speech, your eye movements and your ability to swallow. Drinking too much alcohol may cause temporary ataxia, affecting your speech, hand-eye coordination and ability to walk.

Persistent ataxia is usually the result of damage to the part of your brain that controls muscle coordination (cerebellum). Many conditions may cause ataxia, including stroke, tumor, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis. You may also inherit a defective gene that may cause one of many variants of ataxia.

Treatment for ataxia depends on the underlying cause. Adaptive devices, such as walkers or canes, might help you maintain your independence despite your ataxia. You may also benefit from physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

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Signs and symptoms