Astasia-abasia: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the syndrome
What is astasia-abasia? The answer to this difficult medical question will be presented below. We will also talk about how the disease manifests itself, what causes it to develop, how it is diagnosed and treated.
basic information
What is a disease like astasia-abasia? The name of this disease consists of two words. Let's consider the meaning of each right now.
The term "astasia" is of Greek origin andtranslated as "standing" or "posture." In other words, it denotes the inability to stand, which is caused by a violation of the coordination of the body's muscular tissues in the lesions of the (extensive) corpus callosum and frontal lobes of the brain. It should also be noted that the disease in question often develops in hysterical syndrome and may be a sign of cortical ataxia.
What is abasia? This term also comes from the Greek word for "walking". In medical practice this word is used to refer to the loss of the ability to walk. As a rule, such a pathological condition occurs in diseases of the NA associated with motor disorders of the legs and disorders of the body's balance. In this case, the patient can exercise the movement of the lower limbs, but only in the supine position.
Most often, astasia-abasia develops in a complex. Separately, these diseases are not considered.
Forms of the disease
Astasia-abasia can occur in various forms. Specialists distinguish paralytic, tremor, trochaic and spastic forms.
- Frontal astasia-abasia usually develops whenlesions of the frontal lobes of the brain. In this case, the patient is unable to walk, stand and even sit. This disease is often combined with other symptoms of brain damage, including inarticulate speech, oral automatisms, smacking lips, pulling the lips with a tube and so on.
- Subcortical disease develops when affectedthalamus and subcortical ganglia. With this deviation a person is able to stand and walk, but only with support. In a standing position without support, it falls backwards or forwards, but with the support under the arms it can perform simple movements that mimic walking.
- The psychogenic appearance of the disease is associated with hysteria. All violations of muscle tone and coordination of a person are associated with a traumatic situation (illness of the native person, strong offense, etc.). This syndrome is stopped when resolving the problems that have arisen.
Causes of development
Why does physiological astasia-abasia arise? The cause of the development of this condition can be a disease or a process that disrupts the structure of the cerebellum, the frontal cords, the corpus callosum, the subcortical ganglia, and the pathways connecting these areas to other brain departments.
Also, astasia-abasia syndrome often occurs because of:
- traumas of the cranium and brain, as well as their consequences;
- tumors of the brain, including the cerebellum;
- hemorrhages in the brain;
- acute stroke or chronic impairment of cerebral circulation;
- demyelinating diseases, which are accompanied by the breakdown of myelin (that is, protein, which ensures rapid impulses along nerve fibers);
- abscess of the cerebellum or brain;
- neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Levy bodies, Pick's disease;
- hysteria.
The main symptoms of the disease
The main feature of the development of thedisease is the inability of a person to walk. Thus the patient constantly keeps a lying position. He can not stand on his own and walk even a few meters (due to severe dizziness and disturbance coordination of movements). In this case, in the supine position, the patient is able to actively move the body and limbs.
When trying to put the patient on his feet, he begins to actively grab for any support. Also, the patient spreads his legs widely in order to maintain his balance.
Diagnostics
To diagnose this disease, you should see a doctor. In this case, the doctor must first of all interview the patient. In the process, he finds out:
- how long the patient has developed inability to walk;
- whether he can move the lower limbs with support under his arms or not;
- how quickly the disease progressed.
It should also be noted that the diagnosis of astasia-abasia is based on the following actions of a specialist:
- Neurologic examination, in which it is assessedmuscle strength and muscle tone in the sitting and lying position, check the coordination of movements (in the supine position), as well as support the balance in the Romberg pose. In addition, reflexes on hands and feet are evaluated.
- CT and MRI of the head. Their conduct allows you to layer by layer to study the structure of the brain and to identify the true cause of the disease.
- An examination by a psychiatrist, during which a psychotraumatic situation is detected.
- Consultation of the physician.
Astasia-abasia: treatment
Treatment of this condition should be aimed at eliminating the underlying disease. Usually, this disease is treated by:
- Surgical removal of the tumor.
- Surgical removal of the abscess from the cranial cavity.
- Antibacterial treatment for the purpose of early suppression of infection.
- Removal of hemorrhage, if such pathology is available for surgical intervention.
It should also be noted that in cases of cerebral circulation disorders, the patient is normalized by blood pressure and given drugs that improve metabolism and cerebral blood flow.
In addition, for the treatment of astasia-abazii provided:
- Classes with a specialist LFK (training in the maintenance of coordination of movements, balance and training of muscle strength).
- Taking medications that improve the nutrition of the brain.
Preventive measures
Prevention of astasia-abasia provides for:
- Maintaining a healthy HLS.
- Timely appeal to the doctor if there are various symptoms of the disease.
- Balanced diet.
- Refusal from drinking alcohol and smoking.
- Regular monitoring of blood pressure. </ ul </ p>
