What is Ataxia?
Ataxia is not a specific disease. It is actually a symptom in many conditions that affect the nervous system. Ataxia causes clumsiness or loss of balance and coordination that is not due to muscle weakness.
Oftentimes, people suffering from ataxia have trouble using their fingers, hands, arms and legs, as well as trouble speaking and moving their eyes.
Ataxia Symptoms
Ataxia symptoms may vary but can include:
- Trouble using fingers, hands, arms and/or legs
- Trouble speaking
- Trouble moving eyes
- Poor coordination and/or balance
- Tingling in extremities
- Gait problems
What Causes Gluten Ataxia?
In short, ataxia is caused by damage to the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain that controls coordination.
More broadly, gluten ataxia is a rare immune-mediated disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system as a reaction to ingestion of gluten. It is associated with various genetic disorders and found in those with immune system disorders, including celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It may also be caused by vitamin deficiencies, specifically vitamin E and vitamin B12.
How is Ataxia Treated?
For some with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, ataxia may subside once on a strict, gluten-free diet. Early diagnosis and treatment through the gluten-free diet can help stop progression and further cerebellum damage.
For others, ataxia may be a chronic concern. Regular physical therapy may alleviate the worst of the symptoms.
Learn More
- Mayo Clinic
- Dietary Treatments of Gluten Ataxia
- Transglutaminase 6 Antibodies in the Diagnosis of Gluten Ataxia
- National Ataxia Foundation
Do you or a family member suffer from ataxia? You may have celiac disease. Find out now. Take our Celiac Disease Symptoms Checklist.
