FACTS about ataxia! 1. The word "ataxia", comes from the Greek word, " a taxis" meaning "without order or incoordination". 2. People with ataxia have problems with coordination because parts of the nervous system that control movement and balance are affected. 3. Ataxia may affect the fingers, hands, arms, legs, body, speech, and eye movements. 4. It can affect males and females equally (from ataxia.org) Episodic Ataxia (Liam is being tested for this): 1. occurs in 3 to 5 out of 100,000 people 2. Symptoms of episodic ataxia can vary considerably from family to family. The most common symptoms are episodes of ataxia (difficulty with balance and coordination) and unclear speech (dysarthria) interspersed with periods of normal or nearly normal neurological function. The attacks are usually brought on by exercise, excitement, rapid changes in posture or, in some cases, high- carbohydrate meals. 3. The attacks of EAl are usually associated with muscle twitching. Episodes are generally brief, lasting for only a few seconds or minutes. Symptoms of EAl may include incoordination and disturbed balance with involuntary movement or rippling of the muscles (myokymia) and/or muscle spasms (myotonia). There may be twitching or tremor in the face and hands. Myokymia may occur between attacks. 4. In EA2 the attacks last longer, ranging from 30 minutes to six hours. Symptoms often include muscle weakness, instability in the torso, and possibly dizziness and fatigue. Involuntary eye movement (nystagmus) is common between episodes. Muscle twitching generally is not a part of EA2.
Posted on: Sat, 07 Sep 2013 22:13:53 +0000
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