Ataxia.

Ataxia, which in translation from Greek means disorder, is considered as a disease associated with an imbalance of voluntary movements, a violation of their coordination. The accuracy of each movement of the muscles of the limbs is the result of the coordinated work of several structures of the nervous system, which transmit impulses to each other in the direction of the muscles of the limbs from the brain and in the opposite direction from the muscle fibers to the brain, which analyzes the correctness of the movement performed. In this chain, there is a certain sequence: the brain (cerebral cortex, cerebellum) -> semicircular canals of the labyrinth of the inner ear (vestibular apparatus) -> the posterior columns of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves, -> from it nerve fibers penetrating in tissue of muscle. When the work of at least one link of this chain is disrupted, there is a phenomenon of ataxia. And depending on where the failure occurred, cerebellar, sensitive, frontal, labyrinth ataxia are distinguished.

Cerebellar ataxia is the result of a disturbance in the structure and / or function of the cerebellum;
Frontal (cortical) ataxia is the result of a violation of the frontal-cerebellar pathways of processing and impulse transmission;
Sensitive ataxia is the result of damage to the posterior columns of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves extending from it;
Labyrinth ataxia is the result of abnormalities in the work of the vestibular analyzer.

Each of the types of ataxia has its own clinical manifestations:

Signs of cerebellar ataxia appear in the form of hypermetry, when the distance to the object to be taken is poorly calculated, the hand travels a path much greater than necessary and misses. Another sign of cerebellar ataxia is chanted speech, when a person speaks, sometimes loudly, sometimes quietly and abruptly "throws out" words, rather than pronouncing them fluently, often divides words into syllables. With cerebellar ataxia, the gait changes: a person walks, swaying and braiding, like a drunk. Problems begin with lifting from the "lying" position, when it is impossible to get up without the help of the hands, because the legs are raised instead of the body. With cerebellar ataxia, the dynamics of complex movements are disturbed, tremors of the hands appear when they approach the target.

With frontal ataxia (cortical), motor functions and coordination of movements are impaired from the side opposite to the hemisphere of the brain in which the disorder occurred. Frontal ataxia manifests itself in the form of instability of the body for turning, when bending or turning the body. A person is practically unable to move without support on any objects. In addition, other functions of the nervous system are disrupted, the sense of smell disappears, the psyche degrades (a grasping reflex appears).

Signs of sensitive ataxia are reflected in a person's gait, when, when walking, he greatly increases the amplitude of the leg swing, and walks, spreading his legs to the sides. When standing with legs closed and eyes closed, the body of a person begins to stagger in different directions.

With labyrinth ataxia, horizontal nystagmus appears (constant rapid movement of the eyes from side to side), dizziness and many symptoms characteristic of disruption of the vestibular analyzer.

The causes of ataxia, if they do not have a genetic origin (or other anomalies in the development of the body), are associated with a number of diseases that have been transferred or are in the process of development, with a lack of vitamins, with injuries, with intoxication of the body with drugs or chemical harmful substances, with infections, with neoplasms located in places where they interfere with the well-functioning of the nervous system, stroke, with hyperthermia (or sunstroke).

Cerebellar ataxia can be caused by tumors, multiple sclerosis, toxic effects and vitamin deficiencies.

Frontal ataxia can be caused by injuries, tumors, and inflammation.

The cause of sensitive ataxia is most often trauma or tumors of the spinal cord and its branches, a lack of vitamin B12.

The cause of labyrinth ataxia is chronic ear diseases, encephalitis, Meniere's disease, multiple sclerosis.

Treatment of ataxia is the hard work of a sick person and the correct therapy of a neurologist. They carry out therapy with anticholinesterase drugs, cerebrolysin, ATP, vitamin therapy with drugs containing group B. Sometimes drugs are prescribed to correct immunity. As a rule, not the ataxia itself is treated, but the diseases that contribute to its development.

If the cause of ataxia is a resectable tumor or a resectable aneurysm, then surgical treatment is performed to remove the traumatic factor.

An important role in the treatment of ataxia is played by special complexes of exercises aimed at training coordination of movements, skiing, Nordic walking.

The prognosis of treatment for ataxia depends on whether ataxia is hereditary or abnormal, and what specific diseases are provoked by it.