Spinocerebellar Ataxia

There are several different types of Spinocerebellar Ataxia, the characteristics of each of which are such that they could be categorized as a separate diseases.

Spinocerebellar ataxia is genetic in nature, and belongs to a group of diseases that attack one’s coordination, primarily with regards to gait, eye motion, with hands and even speech affected.

Precluding one or two medical professionals, most experts can agree that SCA occurs as a result of cell degradation in a portion of the brain known as the cerebellum; a very sensible prognosis, when one considers the fact that the cerebellum is that part of the brain responsible for motor control and all forms of ataxia manifest by attacking motor functionality.

Spinocerebellar ataxia is quite slow with regards to its progression and will act to inhibit one’s ability to initiate intricate movements in the muscles, hence allowing for clumsiness to develop with regards to moving the body. With the ailment eventually debilitating one’s ability to perform the most menial tasks, SCA will manifest with quite a number of different symptoms, varying according to the patients in question; though the general progression of these symptoms is the same, with mental capacity retaining its integrity even as the physical form begins to suffer.

The unfortunate fact about SCA is that it has no known cure; thought it is worth pointing out that the intensity of manifested symptoms will vary from person to person, even with the disease maintaining its progressive nature, i.e., getting worse and more intense with the passing of time.

Any treatments initiated will be purposed to debilitate the effects of the symptoms rather than fighting the disease itself, and there aren’t many positive studies to support a reversal of symptoms once they are allowed to manifest fully, with most patients eventually having to rely on wheel chairs and other forms of assistance to go about their daily business.

This disease doesn’t automatically strip away the idea of independence though, as there are tools through which patients can learn to contend with the lack of coordination through their own strengths, items like crutches and walkers, which should allow the afflicted to go about their daily lives without the need for external assistance from individuals.

Modern technology is such that gadgetry exists to contend with even those suffering from speech impairment and a difficulty in feeding.

With idiopathic ataxia, it is possible for variations to occur with regards to the manifested symptoms, these including stiffness, sleeping disorders and depression. While early recognition of this disease is imperative for effective treatment, diagnosis can prove difficult, mostly because of how easy it is to confuse the symptoms manifested by SCA with other neurological ailments.

The most common means of identifying the disease is usually through an MRI, in this case most effective once the disease has progressed somewhat, because then you can see the difference in the cerebellum, which should appear to have shrunk in size. The most concrete means of identification though is DNA analysis, through which even children of the patient can be tested.