/ / Ataxia - what is it? Symptoms and types of ataxia

Ataxia - what is it? Symptoms and types of ataxia

Ataxia is not accompanied by paralysis.dysmotility, characteristic features of which are rhythm and coordination of movements. Translated from the Greek word ataxia means "randomness" and "irregularity."

With such a diagnosis, the movements becomedisproportionate, awkward, inaccurate, walking often suffers, and in some cases even speech. Consider what types of ataxia are highlighted, and what are their characteristic features.

Ataxy is

Friedreich's ataxy

Friedreich's hereditary ataxia isgenetically caused neurological disease of progressive nature. The initial manifestations of the disease become noticeable in the first few decades of life.

First, there are violations of handwriting and gait.For children, however, it is difficult to identify a violation of handwriting due to the fact that it has not yet fully formed. As for the gait, the patient needs a support while he is constantly swinging. All leg movements are more jerky than progressive.

Over time, the inability to stand (astasia) and even to walk (abasia) develops. However, the latter is a characteristic manifestation of the rapidly progressing course of the disease and its last stages.

Observed changes in the spine, which is especiallyimportant for adolescents who have not yet completed the process of its formation. A few years later, the patient develops diabetes due to malfunction of the pancreas. A little later, due to dystrophic changes in the gonads, hypogonadism occurs. In the final stages of ataxia, visual impairment arises as a result of dystrophic changes in the visual and oculomotor nerves. On top of that, dementia develops due to damage to the brain's neurons.

Ataxia symptoms

Defeat of the cerebellum

Cerebellar ataxia is a disordermotor coordination, developing with the defeat of the main, responsible for it, the organ - cerebellum of the brain. In some cases, minor changes develop, while in others, more serious and serious ones.

Развитие такой атаксии происходит ввиду affecting various areas of the cerebellum by the pathological process. Often cerebellar ataxia is diagnosed with encephalitis, cerebellar vascular diseases, multiple sclerosis, malignant brain tumors, intoxications, as well as certain ailments of genetic origin. There are 2 types of cerebellar ataxia - static and dynamic.

The static nature of cerebellar ataxia

The defeat of the cerebellum is expressed in staticataxia due to reduced muscle tone. In the process of this, it becomes difficult for a patient to remain in one position for a long time, and there is also an insignificant violation of motor coordination. A person moves in very wide and shaky steps, as if in a state of intoxication. In the case of a severe course of the disease, the patient is not able to sit and stand on his own, since, without having the strength to even hold his head, he constantly falls. Static ataxia in severe form deprives the patient of the ability to maintain balance on their own. It should be noted that the motor coordination is not affected by the fact that the patient is open or with his eyes closed.

Friedreich's hereditary aiaksia

The dynamic nature of cerebellar ataxia

Динамическая атаксия развивается при вовлечении cerebellar hemispheres in the pathological process. In this type of disease, coordination disorders are observed only during physical movement. Loss of smoothness and accuracy of movements, they become sweeping and awkward. Discoordination and slow motion are observed on the affected side. Hypermetry (excessiveness, opposing movements), adiadochokinesis, misses, and intentional tremors and speech disorders are characteristic of dynamic ataxia (patients speak slowly, dividing words into syllables).

When standing and walking, the patient deviates.to the side corresponding to the damaged cerebellar hemisphere. The patient's handwriting changes: it becomes uneven, sweeping, with large letters. Reduction of tendon reflexes is not excluded.

Sensitive ataxia

This ataxia is a movement disorder, withwhere the change in gait occurs due to loss of sensitivity in the legs, which is a consequence of the defeat of the peripheral nerves, medial loop, posterior columns or the posterior roots of the spinal cord. The patient does not feel the position of the legs, and therefore has difficulty both when walking and when standing. As a rule, he stands with his legs wide apart and at the same time he can keep his balance only when his eyes are open, but if you close them, then the person will begin to falter and, most likely, will fall (Romberg’s positive symptom). When walking, patients also spread their legs wide and lift them much higher than necessary, and also swaying violently, then forward and back. Their steps have different lengths, and the feet, touching the floor, make clapping sounds. When walking, the patient usually uses a stick for support and bends the trunk slightly in the hip joints. Violations of gait exacerbate visual defects. Often, patients lose their stability, swing and fall when washing, because, closing their eyes, they temporarily lose visual control.

sensitive ataxia

Spinocerebellar ataxia

This term refers to the many motordisorders that occur mostly due to ischemic damage to the central nervous system in the perinatal period or hypoxia. The severity of gait changes may be different and depends on the severity and nature of the lesion. Thus, limited light lesions can cause a symptom of Babinski, an increase in tendon reflexes and not be accompanied by a pronounced change in gait. Extensive and more pronounced lesions usually entail bilateral hemiparesis. There are changes in gait and postures characteristic of paraparesis.

Cerebral palsy generates motordisorders leading to a change in gait. Patients with involuntary movements in the limbs, which are accompanied by grimaces on the face or rotational movements of the neck. As a rule, the legs are extended, and the arms are bent, however, this asymmetry of the limbs can become noticeable only with close observation of the patient. For example, one hand can be stretched and stretched, while the other can be supinated and bent. The asymmetric position of the limbs often occurs when the head turns in different directions.

spinocerebellar ataxia

Ataxia Diagnosis

To establish the diagnosis using such diagnostic methods as:

  • MRI of the brain;
  • brain electroencephalography;
  • DNA diagnostics;
  • electromyography.

In addition to any of the indicated methods, it is necessary to pass a blood test, undergo examination by such specialists as a neuropathologist, a psychiatrist and an oculist.

Ataxia treatment

Ataxia is a serious disease that requirestimely action. Treatment, which is carried out by a specialist neurologist, is predominantly symptomatic and includes the following areas.

  1. Restorative therapy (anticholinesterase drugs, Cerebrolysin, ATP, B vitamins).
  2. Physical therapy, aimed at preventing various kinds of complications (muscular atrophy and contractures, for example), improving walking and coordination, maintaining physical fitness.

Special gymnastic exercise complexExercise therapy, the purpose of which is to reduce discoordination and strengthen muscles. With a radical method of treatment (surgery of cerebellar tumors, for example), one can expect a partial or complete recovery or, at a minimum, cessation of further progression.

With ataxia of Friedreich, if you take into accountpathogenesis of the disease, an important role can be played by drugs aimed at maintaining the functions of the mitochondria (Riboflavin, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, succinic acid).

static ataxia

Disease prognosis

The prognosis of hereditary diseases isquite unfavorable. Over time, especially with inaction, neuropsychic disorders only progress. People with a diagnosis of "ataxia", whose symptoms become more pronounced with age, as a rule, work capacity is significantly reduced.

However, due to symptomatic treatment, as well as the prevention of intoxication, injuries and infectious diseases, patients live to an advanced age.

Prevention

dynamic ataxia
Conduct preventive measures specificallyfor ataxia is impossible. First of all, it is necessary to prevent the possible appearance and development of acute infectious diseases (sinusitis, otitis, pneumonia, for example) that can provoke ataxia.

Необходимо избегать кровных браков.In addition, it should be remembered that the likelihood of the transmission of hereditary ataxia from parent to child is high, and therefore patients are often recommended to refuse to give birth to their own babies and adopt someone else’s children.

Атаксия – это серьезное неврологическое a disorder that needs immediate treatment. That is why the earlier this ailment was identified, the more favorable the prognosis for the patient will be.

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