Ataxia (Noun)
Meaning
Inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements; unsteady movements and staggering gait.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- Symptoms of ataxia can range from mild clumsiness to severe unsteadiness, making everyday activities a significant challenge.
- Friedreich's ataxia is a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive damage to the nervous system and affects muscle coordination.
- The patient's ataxia worsened over time, causing her to become increasingly dependent on her walker for balance and support.
- Ataxia can also be a side effect of certain medications, which may resolve on their own once the medicine is discontinued.
- Doctors often use a combination of physical examinations and medical imaging to diagnose ataxia and identify the underlying cause.