Joanna Szabo  |  September 21, 2019

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What Is Ataxia?

Ataxia is a term used to describe the lack of coordination or muscle control leading to abnormal movements. Ataxia itself is not a disease, and instead describes a certain set of symptoms that can be caused by a number of problems.

These symptoms are generally a sign of some underlying condition. This condition can cause a number of issues with basic movements, such as eye movement, speech, walking, gesticulation, and swallowing, among others.

If these symptoms remain persistently, this is generally caused by some kind of damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle coordination, known as the cerebellum. This is classified as cerebellar ataxia, and studies often tie this to drug use.

Ataxia Symptoms

Symptoms of ataxia include a number of signs that show lack of muscle coordination or control, including:

  • An unsteady walk with a tendency to stumble
  • Difficulty with fine motor tasks (eating, writing, buttoning a shirt, etc.)
  • Change in speech
  • Involuntary back-and-forth eye movements (nystagmus)
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Poor coordination

In some cases, you may not know what is causing these symptoms. If you’re unaware you have a condition that causes ataxia, consult your doctor if you observe symptoms like:

  • Losing balance
  • Losing muscle coordination in a limb
  • Difficulty walking
  • Slurring your speech
  • Difficulty swallowing

Causes of Ataxia

Ataxia is associated with a slew of conditions. Conditions that have been linked to ataxia include the following:

  • Alcohol abuse
  • Stroke
  • Head trauma
  • Tumor
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Brain degeneration
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Inherited defective genes
  • Certain medications

Treatment

Treatment for ataxia generally depends on its underlying cause. If caused by another medical condition, treating that underlying condition is the best way to treat the symptoms themselves.

If ataxia was caused by exposure to a certain medication, symptoms may be able to be alleviated if the patient stops taking the drug (under the guidance of their doctor). In other cases, however, ataxia may have progressed too far and some symptoms may be irreversible.

Dilantin Ataxia Litigation

One of the medications linked with ataxia is Dilantin (phenytoin). Dilantin is an anticonvulsant medication used to alleviate seizures, but a growing number of patients are filing lawsuits over Dilantin toxicity leading to cerebellar atrophy and leaving them with ataxia symptoms.

Filing a Dilantin Ataxia Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has suffered from ataxia after using Dilantin, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, litigation cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these potentially permanent complications, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect for many, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.