The key difference between ataxia and dysmetria is that ataxia is a condition that results in clumsy voluntary movements due to cerebellum problems, disruption of the self-positioning sense, and problems in the inner ear, while dysmetria is a condition that results in clumsy voluntary movements only due to cerebellum problems.
Ataxia and dysmetria are two associated medical conditions. This is because dysmetria is a type of cerebellar ataxia. Both these conditions can be caused by cerebellum damage. However, ataxia can also be caused by other etiologies.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Ataxia
3. What is Dysmetria
4. Similarities – Ataxia and Dysmetria
5. Ataxia vs. Dysmetria in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Ataxia and Dysmetria
7. Summary – Ataxia vs. Dysmetria
What is Ataxia?
Ataxia is a medical condition characterized by poor coordination, leading to a loss of muscle control in the arms and legs of those affected. This ultimately leads to a lack of balance and trouble walking. There are three main types of ataxia: cerebellar (due to problems in the cerebellum), sensory (due to disruption of self-position sense), and vestibular (problems with the inner ear).
Ataxia can be caused by alcohol, medication, toxins, vitamins, thyroid problems, strokes, infection, abnormalities in the brain, head trauma, cerebral palsy, multiple system atrophy, and inherited and sporadic genetic mutations. Moreover, symptoms of this condition may include poor muscle coordination, walking unsteadily, poor balance, difficulty with fine motor skills, change in speech, nystagmus, and difficulty swallowing.
Ataxia can be diagnosed through physical examination, blood test, imaging test (MRI), lumbar puncture, and genetic testing. Furthermore, treatment options for ataxia may include managing underlying conditions, using adaptive devices, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.
What is Dysmetria?
Dysmetria is the inability to perform accurate and smooth movements due to cerebellum damage. Dysmetria can be caused by alcohol use disorder, brain infection, brain tumors, certain metabolic conditions, cerebral palsy, paraneoplastic syndrome, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and due to several neurodegenerative conditions like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Friedreich’s ataxia, multiple sclerosis, multiple system atrophy, and spinocerebellar ataxia. Moreover, the symptoms of dysmetria may include a lack of accurate or smooth movements, balance issues, issues with coordination of walking, difficulty speaking clearly, and eye movement abnormalities.
Dysmetria can be diagnosed through the finger-to-nose test and heel-to-shin test. Furthermore, treatment options for dysmetria may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and keeping the cerebellum healthy through wearing protective headgear in contact sports, managing the risk of stroke, getting proper nutrition, and drinking alcohol in moderation.
What are the Similarities Between Ataxia and Dysmetria?
- Ataxia and dysmetria are two associated medical conditions.
- Dysmetria is a type of cerebellar ataxia.
- Both these conditions can be caused by cerebellum damage.
- Both these conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging testing.
- They can be treated through physical and occupational therapies.
What is the Difference Between Ataxia and Dysmetria?
Ataxia is a condition that results in clumsy voluntary movements due to cerebellum problems, disruption of the self-positioning sense, and problems in the inner ear, while dysmetria is a condition that results in clumsy voluntary movements only due to cerebellum problems. Thus, this is the key difference between ataxia and dysmetria. Furthermore, ataxia can be caused by alcohol, medication, toxins, vitamins, thyroid problems, strokes, infection, abnormalities in the brain, head trauma, cerebral palsy, multiple system atrophy, and inherited and sporadic genetic mutations. On the other hand, dysmetria can be caused by alcohol use disorder, brain infection, brain tumors, certain metabolic conditions, cerebral palsy, paraneoplastic syndrome, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and several neurodegenerative conditions like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Friedreich’s ataxia, multiple sclerosis, multiple system atrophy, and spinocerebellar ataxia.
The infographic below presents the differences between ataxia and dysmetria in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Ataxia vs. Dysmetria
What is an example of dysmetria?
A person having difficulty when trying to grasp an object with their fingers is an example of dysmetria, which is characterized by a lack of coordination.
Is dysmetria a form of ataxia?
Dysmetria is a type of ataxia. Dysmetria occurs due to improper function of the cerebellum.
What are the 3 types of ataxia?
Cerebellar, sensory, and vestibular ataxia are the 3 types of ataxia.
Summary – Ataxia vs. Dysmetria
Diseases that primarily affect the cerebellum can lead to ataxia, along with symptoms such as dysmetria and tremors. Therefore, ataxia and dysmetria are two associated medical conditions. In fact, dysmetria is a type of cerebellar ataxia. Ataxia refers to the abnormal coordination movement due to cerebellum problems, disruption of the self-positioning sense, and problems in the inner ear, while dysmetria refers to the abnormal coordination movement due to cerebellum problems or damages. So, this summarizes the difference between ataxia and dysmetria.
Reference:
1. “Ataxia.” Johns Hopkins Medicine.
2. “Dysmetria: Definition, Causes, Testing, and Treatment.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Ataxia Classification” By Drpsdeb – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia