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 and is translated as "standing" or "posture". In other words, it denotes the inability to stand, which is caused by a disruption in 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 a 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 walking ability. Typically, such a pathological condition occurs in diseases of the NA associated with motor disorders of the legs and body balance disorders. In this case, the patient can exercise the movements 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 different forms. Specialists distinguish paralytic, tremor, trochaic and spastic forms. Also, this disease is divided into the following types:

• Frontal astasia-abasia usually develops with lesions of the frontal lobes of the brain. In this case, the patient is not able to walk, stand and even sit. Such a 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 in the defeat of the thalamus 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.
• Psychogenic appearance of the disease is associated with hysteria. All violations of muscle tone and coordination of a person are associated with a psychotraumatic 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 breaks the structure of the cerebellum, the frontal lobe, the corpus callosum, the subcortical ganglia, and the pathways connecting these regions to other brain departments.

Also, astasia-abasia syndrome often occurs because of:

• Traumas of the cranium and brain, as well as their consequences;
• Brain tumors, including 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 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 sign of the development of the disease in question 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 disruption of 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 starts actively grabbing for any support. Also, the patient spreads his legs widely in order to maintain his balance.

Diagnostics

To diagnose this disease, you should consult 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, which evaluates muscle strength and muscle tone in the sitting and lying position, verifies the coordination of movements (in the supine position), as well as the support of 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 identified.
• Consultation of the doctor.

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 cavity of the skull.
• 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 circulatory disorders, the patient is normalized by arterial 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:

• Keeping a healthy HWI.
• 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.