Ataxia
Ataxia Treatment in South Carolina
Neurology Specialty
What is Ataxia?
Ataxia is a brain disorder that makes it hard to control voluntary muscle movements. This makes it hard to walk, talk, and stay balanced. It can make people walk unsteadily, have trouble with fine motor skills, and make it hard to keep a steady posture.
No matter if the ataxia is a separate disorder or a sign of another health problem, our dedicated team at Carolina Orthopaedic & Neurosurgical Associates is committed to providing care and support with kindness.
What Causes Ataxia?
Ataxia is a complicated symptom that comes from a number of underlying problems that make it hard for muscles to work together. Its reasons can be roughly put into two groups: those that are genetic and those that are acquired.
- Genetic
- Diseases of the nervous system
- Autoimmune diseases
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Abusing alcohol
- Tumors
- Stroke
- Certain medications
- Chronic head injuries
- Sporadic ataxia, which is when there is no clear reason for the condition
Ataxia Treatment
Ataxia is usually treated by taking care of the symptoms and treating the underlying reason if it can be found. Since ataxia can be caused by many different things, the best way to treat it is to take a personalized approach. Some possible treatments are:
- To control signs like tremors or stiffness, you may need to take medications
- Physical therapy uses exercises that are made just for you to help improve your balance, coordination, and strength
- Occupational therapy helps people learn how to do everyday things on their own
- Speech therapy is for people who have trouble speaking or eating
- Changes to the diet, such as taking vitamins to help make up for a lack of them
- Adaptive devices are things like walkers or other things that make it easier to move around
- Surgical treatments are used when ataxia is caused by tumors or other structural problems
- Regular monitoring is required so every treatment is constantly checked and changed as needed
The goal of treating ataxia is to help our patients do as much as possible, feel less pain, and improve their general quality of life.
Whether it’s through medicine, therapy, changes to the patient’s lifestyle, or other interventions, each treatment plan is made to fit the needs and conditions of the individual patient.
Ataxia Care in South Carolina
At Carolina Orthopaedic & Neurosurgical Associates, we offer specialized care for ataxia that is tailored to each patient’s needs. Our skilled team of neurologists and therapists can help.
We offer full diagnoses and treatment plans. We believe in a multidisciplinary approach that combines drug management, therapy, changes in lifestyle, and ongoing support to help our patients regain control and have a better quality of life. If you or someone you care about is showing signs of ataxia, its important you don’t wait to get help.
Call us or check out our website today to find out more or make an appointment. We serve patients in Spartanburg, Duncan, and Greenville, SC. Trust our knowledge and care, and you’ll be taking the first step toward a better, healthier future.