Statement of Theme/Illness

According to the National Ataxia Foundation the word "ataxia", comes from the Greek word, " a taxis" meaning "without order or incoordination". The word ataxia means without coordination. People with ataxia have problems with coordination because parts of the nervous system that control movement and balance are affected. Ataxia may affect the fingers, hands, arms, legs, body, speech, and eye movements. The word ataxia is often used to describe a symptom of incoordination which can be associated with infections, injuries, other diseases, or degenerative changes in the central nervous system. Ataxia is also used to denote a group of specific degenerative diseases of the nervous system called the hereditary and sporadic ataxias which are the National Ataxia Foundation's primary emphases. (ataxia.org)

Normal Function of the Central Nervous System

The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord. The brain receives sensory information from the nerves that pass through the spinal cord, as well as other nerves such as those from sensory organs involved in sight and smell. Once received, the brain processes the sensory signals and initiates responses. The spinal cord is the principle route for the passage of sensory information to and from the brain. (answers.com)

1. Brain
2. Central Nervous System (Brain to Spinal Cord)
3. Spinal Cord
   
   

Definition of Disease

Ataxia describes a lack of muscle coordination during voluntary movements, such as walking or picking up objects. A sign of an underlying condition, ataxia can affect your movements, your speech, your eye movements and your ability to swallow. (mayoclinic staff)

Treatment

• There is no treatment for ataxia however, there are ways of helping patients adapt to the disease.
• Many doctors recommend adaptive devices like canes, walkers, modified eating utensils, communication devices etc.
• Therapies – physical, occupational, speech

Conclusion

Unfortunately, this disease has impacted my father and it has been very taxing on my family. In my father’s case preventative measures may have been diet. My father has had several strokes which were caused by high blood pressure. His high blood pressure was a result of a diet high in protein (lots of red meat) and low in fiber. My father's high blood pressure led to a serious of fainting spells. These fainting spells utimately led to severe trauma to the head which resulted in Ataxia.

I recommend having a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables to attempt to prevent high blood pressure which can possibly lead to this disease.

References

http://www.ataxia.org/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ataxia/DS00910/DSECTION=causes

http://www.webmd.com/brain/ataxia-friedreichs

http://www.curefa.org/

http://www.answers.com/topic/central-nervous-system

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_nervous_system