What does the term "cerebellar ataxia" mean, methods of diagnosing and treating it

First, let's look at what is cerebellar ataxia? The name alone speaks for itself - it is the defeat of the cerebellar systems. It should be noted that there is such a thing as a worm of the cerebellum, which is directly responsible for contraction of the muscles of the trunk. In more accessible terms, cerebellar ataxia is a disruption in the coordination of movement - from impaired stability and gait, to arbitrary limb movements.

What are the manifestations of this disease and how can it be diagnosed?

Ataxia of the cerebellum in medicine is divided into two types:

1. Static-laxative ataxia;
2. Dynamic ataxia.

It should be noted at once that the first of the listed options is more common. And that's why we'll look at its symptoms and treatment methods in more detail.

Symptoms of cerebellar ataxia are fairly simple, and they are easy to identify in everyday life. One of the ways to determine static-locomotor ataxia is the method of Romberg. What is its essence? If you notice a violation in your own movements, you need to stand with your arms outstretched forward, firmly pressing your feet and lifting. Possible symptoms you will notice yourself - you will be hard to maintain balance, and the body will begin to swing from side to side, which in the end will lead to a fall.

However, the very process of falling is very important - if you fall back - this is a clear sign that the worm of the cerebellum does not function properly. But if, however, the fall takes place in a certain direction - this is already a clear sign of the inadequate functioning of the hemisphere of the cerebellum. And the exact hemisphere is affected, where the body deviated. However, this technique is not ideal and for your own conviction you can use one more verification method - the sensitized Romberg pose.

The essence of this method is that you put your feet on one line( the heels in parallel, ie the toe rests against the heel), and the signs of the disease are the conditions described above. It should also be noted that the norm in this case is the so-called jumping and support reactions. This is when the body begins to decline, and your foot to break falls off automatically to prevent falling, while the second leg does not stay in place, but comes off the ground. That is why, when a person stands in a free posture, he needs to spread his legs widely to maintain balance, or to catch balance with the help of hands. After all, it is not for nothing that in translation from Greek the word ataxia means "disorder", which is manifested in every movement of the body.

The second kind of ataxia is dynamic, it is not noticeable at first glance and manifests itself when concentrating its body on the accuracy of movement. That is, if you need to aim, and you do not get it - that's it. However, the nature of this neurological disease is not accurate, and is determined by a number of special coordination samples.

Causes of the disease and its treatment

Despite the fact that the central nervous system is also a mystery for science and medicine in our time, the treatment of this disease still exists. Basically it consists in a number of physical exercises in conjunction with the intake of vitamins, which are prescribed directly by a neuropathologist. In some cases, medication is used - nootropics, disagregans, neuroprotectors. If you notice a sharp deterioration in the handwriting, a lack of coordination during walking, a trembling of the fingers( if it was not noticed earlier and not related to heart disease) is an obvious syndrome of cerebellar ataxia.

Basically, cerebellar ataxia is a genetic disease, much less often - acquired. To acquire it is possible subsequently in the following cases:

• When getting head injuries - such as a severe concussion of the brain;
• When transferring the strongest viral and bacterial infections - such as measles, meningitis;
• In children's cerebral palsy( cerebral palsy);
• With the transfer of severe intoxication;
• It is also possible to purchase with vitamin B12 deficiency.

Doctors, when diagnosing this disease, it is recommended to withhold from childbearing for women who are ill with this disease, as the probability of transferring a child to a gene of a disease that can progress with years and, at least, will bring discomfort in the life of your baby is high. That is why at the first suspicions of this disease it is necessary to urgently consult a neurologist.

Genetics is also always necessary to remember, because the mutation of genes in any case occurs, and the transmission of this disease is possible from one parent, and from both. Let's consider the same in more detail, from which there is congenital cerebellar ataxia:

• Since the cerebellum is part of the brain, the disease can appear from the underdevelopment of the cerebellar structures;
• An abnormal structure of the skeleton is possible, and this disease manifests itself before the age of 25 and is acquired as a result of obtaining genes from both parents( in medicine - Friedreich's ataxia);
• Rarely, X-chromosomal cerebellar insufficiency appears, and it is characteristic mainly for the male;
• The disease can be associated with the slow development of the child( in medicine - Betten's disease), but in parallel with growing up, a person is able to adapt to her symptoms;
• Strabismus, stuttering, an obvious decrease in mental abilities at the age of more than 25 years is a late ataxia( in medicine - ataxia of Pierre Marie) and it is possible when obtaining a gene from one parent.

There is such a thing as "acute cerebellar ataxia".Despite such a terrible name - this is usually a very unusual disease, which manifests itself mainly in children. The cause of this diagnosis may be a transferred chickenpox or similar infections.

Symptomatic of it is a sharp deterioration in the coordination of the movement of the child. Most cases do not pose a particular danger and take place within a month. However, as is known, there are exceptions from every rule and in rare cases there are relapses accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

What preventive measures are used and what they consist of

There are a lot of disputes between neuropathologists at the moment, and they are related to one question: is there prevention of cerebellar ataxia? Unfortunately, the only highly effective way to protect yourself from this disease is vaccination against viral and infectious diseases, which are one of the main causes of the onset of the disease.

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