Guide To The Major Types Of Ataxia

Sensory Ataxia

Sensory ataxia develops when the patient loses their sense of the relative position of neighboring parts of the body (proprioception). Without this sense, the patient is unable to tell whether or not different parts of the body are moving with proper coordination. Individuals with sensory ataxia typically have reduced postural stability, and they may find it particularly difficult to maintain a given posture in environments without adequate lighting. Sensory ataxia patients could also have a heavy, unsteady gait similar to stomping, and they may have trouble with performing smooth, voluntary movements that involve the eyes, limbs, and torso. Due to the loss of proprioception, individuals with sensory ataxia rely more heavily on their vision to guide their movements. Thus, patients may need to make lighting modifications to their homes and workplaces to ensure regularly used areas have bright lighting. Some patients may also need mobility aids to reduce the risk of falls.

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Genetic Ataxia

Genetic ataxia, also known as inherited ataxia, occurs as a result of a genetic mutation a child inherits from their parents. In some cases of genetic ataxia, a child can inherit the condition if just one of their parents carries the mutation. However, some types of genetic ataxia can only be inherited if both parents are carriers. A condition known as Friedreich's ataxia is one of the more well-known forms of genetic ataxia. It occurs in an estimated one out of every forty thousand individuals, and most cases are diagnosed between the ages of ten and fifteen. Patients with this condition typically experience muscle weakness, hearing loss, absent reflexes in the lower limbs, structural changes in the feet, and difficulty feeling vibrations in the legs and feet. In addition, doctors estimate seventy-five percent of Friedreich's ataxia patients have cardiovascular issues, the most common of which is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart muscle that can result in palpitations, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Genetic testing can be performed to diagnose Friedreich's ataxia and other forms of genetic ataxia, and patients may also need to have electromyography studies, electrocardiograms, and echocardiograms. Physical therapy and adaptive devices can improve mobility for patients with this form of ataxia.

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