International Ataxia Awareness Day β’ September 25
Seeing someone walk unsteadily may make us think they are drunk. Seeing them miss something they are trying to reach may look like simple clumsiness. But sometimes, the problem is ataxia.
Ataxia is a problem with body coordination. It can affect walking, balance, hand and arm movements, speech, swallowing, and eye movements.
Ataxia is often a symptom of another condition, rather than a disease by itself. Possible causes include stroke, head injury, too much alcohol, certain medicines, lack of some vitamins, infections, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and some conditions that run in families.
Ataxia is different from vertigo. Vertigo can make a person feel that they or the surroundings are spinning or moving. Ataxia affects how the body coordinates movement. A person can sometimes have both.
Ataxia can also look like a stroke because some of their symptoms can be similar. A stroke can also cause ataxia. Sudden symptoms should be checked right away.
By the way, I’m a musician. I often lose my balance on stage. π But seriously, if you suspect that you or someone you know may have ataxia, consult a neurologist.
β¨ α΄ΚΈα΅β±βΏα΅ α΄α΅α΅ α΅αΆ α΅Κ°α΅ ΚΛ‘α΅α΅ α΅α΅Κ³α΅α΅ α΅α΅Λ’β±αΆ α΅Λ‘α΅α΅