Acute Cerebellar Ataxia. Upon first hearing, the name of this disorder is daunting. Let's begin to understand this condition by first deciphering the name.
"Acute" indicates that this disorder has a sudden onset. The afflicted person had no signs of any dsyfunction in their coordination, and then, the symptoms appear. This dysfunction can happen to anyone at any age but is most often found in children of age three and under.
Acute Cerebellar Ataxia (also known as Cerebellitis) can be triggered by a virus, appearing some weeks after a viral illness. Some of the viruses that can cause Cerebellitis are chicken pox, Coxsackie Disease, Epstein-Barr, HIV, Lyme disease and mycoplasma pneumonia.
Some older insecticides (organophosphates) and some other toxins, e.g., lead, mercury and thallium, are also possible causes. In other cases, Acute Cerebellar Ataxia can be initiated by cerebellar hemorrhage, abscesses, blood clots or an obstructed artery.
"Cerebellar" points to the cerebellum, which is a part of the brain. It is behind, and above, the brainstem. The cerebellum plays a large role in the body's coordination. Cerebellar dysfunction can make a person clumsy, slow and wobbly in their movements. They may appear intoxicated.
"Ataxia" describes a disruption in muscle coordination, especially in the arms, legs and trunk. It may be seen in an unsteady gait while attempting to walk. Body movements and eye movements may be sudden, jerky and uncoordinated.
Speech may be slurred or stumbling and slow. Nausea and vomiting will sometimes accompany this condition. Other symptoms might be headache and dizziness. Personality and behavioral changes may also occur.
When seated, the affected person is unable to control his body's movements. They may move from side to side, forward, backward. When they reach out for something, their hand may sway, their aim is not accurate. They can't get their body to cooperate, to do what they want it to do.
Your doctor will want to do some tests. MRI scans, CT scans, blood tests, ultrasounds, urine analysis, are some of the tests that will aid in diagnosis of this disorder. Unfortunately, there is no treatment for Cerebellitis at this time.
Usually this distressing disorder will go away on its own within a few months. Still, if you suspect Cerebellitis contact your doctor. This will help to determine if Acute Cerebellar Ataxia is indeed the condition you are dealing with, and rule out other possible causes of the symptoms.
Resources:
National Ataxia Foundation
http://www.ataxia.org/index.aspx/
National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
Cerebellar Disorders
http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com/disorders/central/cerebellar/cerebellar.htm
Acute cerebellar ataxia
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001397.htm
Acute cerebellar ataxia
http://www.doctorsofusc.com/condition/document/191914
Cerebellar Signs including Cerebellar Ataxia
http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Cerebellar-Ataxia.htm
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