Ataxia and Stroke
For stroke patients affected by ataxia, understanding this neurological condition is crucial. Learn the symptoms and management strategies tailored for individuals navigating recovery from stroke.
Introduction to Ataxia and Stroke
If you or someone you love has experienced a stroke, some complications can develop as a result, known as ataxia. This disorder is related to how your muscles work and odd movements resulting from this disorder. Below, you can find more information describing ataxia, symptoms of it, how it relates to a stroke, and how to move forward with it in your life.
When someone suffers a stroke, they can experience something known as ataxia, which can be some long-term damage to nerves and muscles and how your brain works to coordinate these different areas. Ataxia doesn't always happen after a stroke, and it doesn't mean that every person who is diagnosed suffered a stroke, but the majority of the cases are related.
Understanding Ataxia
The most important thing to note about Ataxia is that there isn't complete control over your coordination, and your body may move in ways you don't intend, which can even be awkward for the body. You may want to move one way, but your body will do something that you didn't mean to do. Depending on what caused the ataxia, it can be either a symptom of something much larger or its condition due to genetics.
Types of Ataxia
If you've been diagnosed with Ataxia, three types can develop and be related to your health. While they all show similar symptoms of clumsiness, they are caused by different parts of the body and systems within. They include the following:
- Sensory
- Cerebellar
- Vestibular
Sensory Ataxia
Because your body always knows where your limbs are, you can manage them naturally without seeing them. Sensory ataxia causes your brain to be unable to track your limbs properly, and you aren't sure when or how to move them if you can't see them.
Cerebellar Ataxia
If you're diagnosed with cerebellar ataxia, your brain has communication issues, and it isn't properly communicating with the different parts of your body. While you intend for your body to do a certain function, such as walking steadily, but you're staggering because your body isn't moving the right muscles, then you may be experiencing cerebellar ataxia.
Vestibular Ataxia
A nerve system is connected to your inner ear, and if you experience vestibular ataxia, you aren't able to manage this system properly. You'll find that you're dizzy a lot and have issues with balance randomly while walking or even sitting.
Symptoms and Causes of Ataxia
Some common symptoms associated with ataxia are the inability to coordinate your body, difficulty walking or gait, slurred speech, and slowly deteriorating motor skills. Some of the symptoms that are not as common but related include abnormalities in the eyes, tremors, and some heart problems that develop after the common symptoms develop.
While having a stroke can cause ataxia, some other causes can develop, such as genetics, and these ataxias being hereditary, a symptom of an infection in different parts of the body, specifically the brain or inner ear, and head injuries that have caused extensive brain damage.
Diagnosis of Ataxia
Because many of these symptoms could be mild and related to a few different things, several steps are taken to determine if ataxia is what someone has. Specialists will perform several medical exams, and the person will undergo an MRI and CT scan to see if there are any issues in the brain area.
A history of genetic testing can be made and reviewed to see if ataxia is a factor in the person's future. This will not be an immediate diagnosis; some patients will have to log symptoms for several weeks to see when they happen and how frequently.
The Impact of Ataxia on Stroke Survivors
When it comes to surviving ataxia following a stroke, there will be a treatment for this disorder added to therapy for the stroke. Medications are usually a part of this treatment to help with dizziness and developing coordination issues. Muscle spasms can also be managed with medication, and some physical therapy will help regain some of that control.
Those who are stroke survivors are having to take their life back one at a time slowly, so it's important not to be overwhelmed during this treatment. Some ataxia may be reversed or reduced, but even if it can't, there is hope for a good quality of life. Some things may look a little different in the future.
Empowering Stroke Patients with Ataxia
Giving back stroke patients their lives is vital after being diagnosed with ataxia. Physical therapy allows you to work on your movement and coordination to reduce the impact of the ataxia. Occupational therapy is a great way to gain control of daily activities and learn to do them in a more modified fashion. Even if you have to use modified tools, you can improve how you manage them and make things easier for you to remain independent and in control of your body.
Those who suffer from symptoms of difficulty in speech find positive treatment in speech therapy sessions to regain control and swallowing. Each person will have their own individual assessment and treatment plan based on the type of ataxia and its severity.
For those who will have ataxia indefinitely, at least some form of it, there are adaptive tools and equipment out there to improve your quality of life. For example, walking sticks help you manage your balance and coordination when you lose the ability.
There are also eating utensils that will help you save and enjoy your food so that you're healthy and can enjoy a meal with others. For those who may suffer from speech symptoms with ataxia, there are also communication aids that can help you speak to others while you are out in public.
Reach Out to Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic in Singapore for World-Class Care
It is vital to know what to expect with ataxia and how it can impact your life. If you want more information or to schedule a consultation, Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic will assist you with all your questions and needs. Contact us today for more information and to get your next appointment.
Consult a Stroke Specialist in Singapore
Dr. Manish Taneja, is an expert in endovascular and image guided neurointerventional procedures of brain and spine. He has special interest in treatment of brain aneurysms, stroke and vascular malformations. Come in for a further evaluation and arrange an appointment today with our stroke specialist.
Stroke Resources
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You are never too young to have a stroke. As such, it is important to know what to look out for and how your lifestyle increases your risk of having a stroke.
We've Got You Covered for Specialized Stroke Screening, Prevention, and Management
Imagine heart attacks where the blood flow to your heart is blocked. Similarly, a stroke occurs when the blood flow to your brain is interrupted becoming a "brain attack". When blood supply does not reach a certain part, brain cells begin to die. Different types of stroke include ischemic strokes (blockage of blood vessel due to blood clot) or a mini stroke, a TIA (transient ischemic attack), with no permanent damage yet serious. Stroke also occurs when a blood vessel in the brain pops causing bleeding in the brain.
When a stroke occurs, the symptoms of stroke depend on how blood flow to the brain is affected. Individuals at high risk and even higher risk (family history) often have high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, or another risk factor for stroke, all of which increase the risk of stroke. Disrupted blood flow can even damage the blood vessel in the brain and affect one side of the body. Having a stroke doesn’t mean it has to lead to permanent disabilities. Recognizing early warning signs is essential to reduce the risk, and in some cases, procedures such as carotid endarterectomy may help increase the blood vessel in the brain and restore healthy circulation.
Certain areas of the brain can be affected by stroke and some symptoms of a stroke including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood sugar levels increase the risk of stroke whereas an active lifestyle or controlling high cholesterol reduces the risk. How well do you know stroke? Find tips to prevent and manage stroke, the differences in stroke screening tests, and the newer technology and treatments available. Come in for an easy consultation and further evaluation with our stroke specialist in Singapore at the Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic.
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Did you experience the worst headache of your life? Thoughts could be racing through your mind. A brain aneurysm is a weak spot in a blood vessel in the brain that can change over time. The key concern is when an aneurysm ruptures, which can disrupt blood flow, affect brain tissue, and lead to serious brain damage. Controllable conditions like high blood pressure can increase this risk and treatment options can depend on the condition. Surgical clipping is one option that prevents blood from entering the weakened area. In many cases, minimally invasive treatments can also be used to restore normal blood flow and reduce risk. We have created structured guides to help you explore each stage in more detail:
A simple (computed tomography) CT scan could be just what the doctor ordered and the first step in early detection and prevention of a brain aneurysm. Come in for an easy consultation with our brain aneurysm specialist in Singapore to be on your health radar.
Other Health Conditions
The Supreme Vascular and Interventional Clinic is your “go-to” facility for various neurological conditions and treatments. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Manish Taneja, our neurointervention specialist, contact us. You can also call us at (+65) 6904 8084 for a consultation.