Ataxia is more of a symptom rather than a disease. Ataxia in Greek means "out of order" or "loss of balance". Ataxia is a common neurological symptom which makes patient feels insecure due loss of control while doing day-to-day activities.
Ataxia is lack of muscle coordination due to the small brain's (cerebellum) failure to regulate the body's posture, regulate its strength and direct the limb movements, thus resulting into wobbliness or clumsiness.
Ataxia may affect the fingers and hands, the extremities, the entire body, speech or even the eye movements.
A person with a long-standing ataxia may have damaged a part of the brain (cerebellum) that controls muscle coordination.
Hereditary ataxia is rare. In case of Hereditary ataxia, more than one family member may suffer with the same disease of ataxia. Acute ataxia can be a relatively common complication of conditions such as a stroke, encephalitis (infection of the brain), or multiple sclerosis. Men and women both are equally affected.
There are three major types of ataxia, which also includes causes based on the area of brain, spine or ears affected.
Ataxia can be broadly classified in two types:
Ataxia can be caused by any of the following reasons:
Ataxia can cause a wide range of symptoms suggesting loss of balance, such as:
In some of the cases, the cause remains unknown. MRI or a CT scan is advised to rule out any brain damage. Blood tests - some types of ataxia are an effect due to the make up of blood. Urine tests - urinalysis may suggest specific systemic abnormalities that are linked to some forms of ataxia. 24-hour urine is advised if wilson's disease is suspected. Genetic tests are conducted to determine whether the patient has inherited the symptom of ataxia (Hereditary Ataxia).
Homeopathic treatment has been found to be effective in treating various forms of ataxia. Depending on the underlying cause and nature of impairment, one can decide the prognosis with homeopathy. All in all, homeopathy can offer significant results in most cases of ataxia where there are reversible or functional changes. In the cases of chronic ataxia such as hereditary ataxia, homeopathy can work on controlling the further damage and deterioration. In such cases, homeopathy could give partial and symptomatic relief. It cannot be said that homeopathy can cure or reverse chronic (long standing) ataxia. It must be noted that even a good control that homeopathy offers, is considered significant if achieved.
Homeopathic medicines help improves muscle coordination, dysphagia and uncontrollable eye movements. Some of the commonly indicated medicines, based on the cause of ataxia, can be listed here: Agaricus, Gelsemium, Conium, Alumina, Belladona, Causticum, Pulsatilla, etc.
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Ataxia: Treatment, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment