Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • Understanding Ataxia

Understanding Ataxia

Get-hooked March 24, 2019
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Ataxia is a group of diseases of the nervous system and affect the ability of a person to walk, talk, eat and perform other motor skills.

Ataxia can affect a person at any age suddenly or develop overtime in months or years.

Signs

The severity and signs of Ataxia may vary from person to person but there are some commonly observed indicators.

– Poor coordination of muscles.

– Unsteady walk and inability to maintain balance.

– Difficulty in fine motor skill related tasks such as eating, writing.

– Unclear or slurred speech

– Loss of control over eye movements

– Difficulty in swallowing

– Falling down often

– Constant pain, fatigue or dizziness

Due to deterioration of fine motor skills and limb movements, people affected by ataxia may rely on the use of wheelchairs, walkers, scooters for mobility.

Zoyeb Zia has ataxia and shared his thoughts with NewzHook.

The biggest hurdle due to ataxia is the dependence on others for everyday tasks. Not being able to move from one location to other without support and needing constant care adds to mental stress. Lack of infrastructure such as accessible roads and buildings hampers the ability to move around conveniently in a wheelchair. Zoyeb Zia, Assistant Professor Zoology

Ataxia is a group of diseases and these are some common forms:

– Ataxia Telangiectasia

– Episodic Ataxia

– Friedreich’s Ataxia

– Multiple System Atrophy

– Spinocerebellar Ataxia

– Sporadic Ataxia

Causes & Diagnoses

Ataxia is a degenerative disease and affects the muscle movement controlling part of the brain- The cerebellum.

Ataxia can be caused due to reasons such as defective genes, alcohol abuse, medications, stroke, tumor, cerebral palsy, brain degeneration, multiple sclerosis.

Iftikhar Zia is Zoyeb’s father and says that rare diseases not only effect a person’s life but that of everyone around them. “We have spent many years in getting a proper diagnoses and searched for treatment options. Parents worry constantly about looking for a cause and cure and that supersedes everything else in life. “

Iftikhar Zia is now the regional coordinator of ORDI – Organization for Rare Diseases India, in Tamil Nadu. ORDI is an organization dedicated to provide the much needed awareness and support about rare diseases.

Doctors use a wide range of tests including physical exam and neurological exam to diagnose Ataxia. Lumbar puncture, CT scan or MRI and genetic testing are some other tests that may be needed.

Cure

There is no specific treatment available to cure ataxia at present.
“Ataxia” without order or incoordination” is a rare degenerative disorder affecting control of movements. Says Nithya Narasimhan whose family member had ataxia.

Doctors may recommend certain medications and life style changes to manage the symptoms. Therapies can also be used to learn fine motor skills to be able to perform everyday tasks independently.

ALSO READ: Understanding the communication disorder Echolalia

Understanding the Learning Disability – Dysgraphia

Understanding Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Understanding the communication disorder Echolalia

Understanding Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Cart With Heart aims to create self employment opportunities for people with disabilities across India

Get-hooked

Hasitha Illa's quirky & fun YouTube channel aims to spread disability awareness

Get-hooked

#LovePossible - What happened when Satendra Singh met his Paro

Get-hooked

#AllYouNeedIsLove- Shivprasad & Sharmila’s marriage is a bond of love & friendship

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.