What Causes Acute Cerebellar Ataxia?

Acute cerebellar ataxia is a relatively common disorder that develops in the brain whenever the cerebellum becomes damaged or inflamed in some manner. The cerebellum portion of the brain is the area with direct control over muscle coordination and gait. Ataxia is a term used to describe not having precise control over voluntary movements. When individuals have been affected by acute cerebellar ataxia, this means it occurred suddenly and without much forewarning. Because of how this condition adversely affects muscle coordination, patients may find it difficult to complete daily tasks. While acute cerebellar ataxia can affect adults, it's most commonly found among young children between two and seven years old. Some additional symptoms attributed to this disorder include regular stumbling, headaches, slurred speech, and dizziness. The treatment recommended to patients depends on what's causing the acute cerebellar ataxia. Get to know some of these causes now.

Lead Or Mercury Exposure

While most causes of acute cerebellar ataxia are related to diseases and viruses that attack the nervous system, there are also some additional causes such as lead or mercury exposure. Both mercury and lead are highly toxic substances that can lead to a wide range of harmful side effects within the body and brain. Mercury can be found in small amounts within many different food products and items, which shouldn't create many issues with an individual's health. However, consuming too much of this toxic metal through seafood or a similar reason may cause mercury poisoning. Most of the side effects pertaining to mercury exposure are neurological side effects. It's possible for the cerebellum to be damaged by mercury exposure to the point where acute cerebellar ataxia occurs. The same is true with lead poisoning. When lead builds up within the body, patients may experience a range of symptoms that extend from acute cerebellar ataxia to death. This buildup can occur over months or even years. Lead is found in high amounts within lead-based arts supplies and gasoline purchased outside of the United States.

Get the details on more causes of acute cerebellar ataxia now.

Measles And Mumps

Both measles and mumps are highly contagious viral infections and can pass to another individual through infected saliva or mucus. Measles affects the respiratory systems, while mumps causes problems with the salivary glands. When patients begin to suffer from mumps, the main symptom they will experience is a swelling of the salivary glands along with headaches, fatigue, and a loss of appetite. Measles is a very serious infection that is among the most common causes of death in children. The main symptoms attributed to measles include a fever, coughing, muscle aches, white spots in the mouth, a sore throat, and a runny nose. A red rash is among the first signs of measles. Infants and young children receive vaccinations for both measles and mumps that substantially reduce the chances of either of these infections. Both measles and mumps must work their way through the body before patients can begin to feel better. The symptoms should dissipate in anywhere from two to three weeks. As the infections are progressing through the body, it's possible the cerebellum could become inflamed, which may bring about acute cerebellar ataxia.

Learn more about the various causes of acute cerebellar ataxia now.