Serious Symptoms Of Ataxia-Telangiectasia
Distorted Speech
Symptoms involving speech tend to occur within the first five years of an ataxia-telangiectasia patient's life. Distorted speech is a symptom that occurs in a patient when the motor component of the motor-speech system has experienced a neurological injury. An inability to physically coordinate the muscles of the neck, head, throat, tongue, lungs, and lips can all contribute to the symptom of distorted speech. The speech of an affected individual may be unintelligible, sound unnatural, and may be inaudible. A patient may have issues with being able to swallow correctly because of ataxia-telangiectasia, which can indirectly cause problems with the way they speak. Problems with the speech in ataxia-telangiectasia patients are not the result of an inability to plan and program the motor-speech system, but rather a problem with the physical function of the motor-speech system itself.
Get more details on the symptoms of ataxia-telangiectasia now.
Involuntary Movements
One of the most common forms of involuntary movements in ataxia-telangiectasia patients is abnormalities in the movements of the eyes. An affected individual may experience eye movements that are jerky and involuntary. Their eye movements may be rapid, repetitive, and rhythmic while moving in a circular, vertical, or horizontal direction. An individual affected by ataxia-telangiectasia may develop an involuntary tremor in their hands, which can cause problems when trying to use fine motor skills. The hand tremor may only be present when the patient is attempting to perform a task with their hands. The tremor may also be present or may only be present when they are at rest. The arms in affected individuals may make isolated but rapid movements that are involuntary and beyond their control. All of the involuntary movements that occur in ataxia-telangiectasia patients are the result of problems with the cerebellum and the basal ganglia in the brain.
Uncover more symptoms of ataxia-telangiectasia now.