What Does The Term Ataxia Indicate?

Posted on Sun, 15 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 15 Mar 2015 Answered on

Wed, 1 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I'm a 51 year old female. I have OA, hypothyroidism, possible seizure disorder (have auras and unusual behavior one time attributed to a seixure). They are also ruling out parkinson's. I've noticed in many of my medical reports going back several years, the term ataxia. A neurologist, my pcp and my podiatrist have all listed this under diagnoses. Is that a common diagnosis and should I ask for specifics?

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
ask for specifics

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
Ataxia is a neurological condition in which you have a lack of control of voluntary movement, so it is a form of movement disorder. It can manifest in many ways such as trouble walking, trouble speaking or trouble manipulating objects. If you do not think that you have any of these conditions then it would be good to get it straightened out in the medical record. It is also in your best interest to know what they are talking about when they list it in your records. Ataxia is a common neurological disorder but you deserve to know exactly what they are talking about when they list it in your chart.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T