What is ataxia and what causes it?

Ataxia refers to altered muscle control, which causes difficulty with balance and walking. It may also be associated with slurred speech or difficulty swallowing. Ataxia can happen secondary to an insult or damage to the cerebellum in the back part of the brain. Problems related to the spinal cord or peripheral nerves can also lead to ataxia. Ataxia can happen from a stroke, head injury, infection or a side effect of certain drugs. Some forms of ataxia result from inherited genetic mutations.