Apraxia – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Apraxia is defined as the “inability to execute purposeful, previously learned motor tasks, despite physical ability and willingness, as a result of brain damage.” It is diagnosed via clinical means and apraxia often includes neuropsychologic testing, with brain imaging (e.g., CT, MRI) to identify the cause.

Prognosis for apraxia varies depending on the cause and extent of damage and the patient’s age. There is no specific treatment for this disorder, but physical and occupational therapy can significantly improve functioning and patient safety. Isolated apraxia is relatively uncommon.

Apraxia is caused by brain damage (e.g., by infarct, tumor, or trauma) or degeneration, especially in the parietal lobes or their connections, the part of the brain that retains memories of learned movement patterns. In rare cases, apraxia is caused by damage to other areas of the brain, such as the premotor cortex (the part of the frontal lobe anterior to the motor cortex), other parts of the frontal lobe, or the corpus callosum, or from diffuse damage related to degenerative dementias.

Known side effects of apraxia

Individuals diagnosed with apraxia are unable to conceptualize or accomplish learned complex motor tasks even though they possess motor, sensory, and coordination systems and can do the individual component movements.

For example, patients with constructional apraxia may not be able to copy a simple geometric shape even though they can see and recognize the stimulus, hold and write with a pen, and understand the task. In most cases, patients do not even realize their deficits.

Body systems harmed by apraxia

Speech disorders like apraxia affect the vocal cords, muscles, nerves, and other structures within the throat. Causes of apraxia may include:

• Vocal cord damage
• Brain damage
• Muscle weakness
• Respiratory weakness
• Strokes
• Polyps or nodules on the vocal cords
• Vocal cord paralysis

People with certain medical or developmental conditions can also have speech disorders. Common conditions that can cause speech disorders are:

• Autism
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Strokes
• Oral cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Huntington’s disease
• Dementia
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease

Speech disorders may be hereditary, and they can sometimes develop over time.

Food items or nutrients that may prevent apraxia

Alternative treatment for apraxia also targets Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions that cause the disorder. Herbal remedies that are believed to benefit people with Alzheimer’s include ginkgo biloba, a plant extract.

Keep in mind that organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association urge individuals to be cautious since the effectiveness and safety of this herbal remedy have not been assessed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The government does not require a review of supplements like ginkgo, and there is a risk of internal bleeding if ginkgo is taken along with aspirin and blood-thinning medications.

Treatments, management plans for apraxia

Treatments and management plans for apraxia include physical and occupational therapy. There is no specific medical treatment for apraxia.

While there are drugs that slow the symptomatic progression of dementia, they are seldom beneficial.

Physical and occupational therapy can improve functioning, but it is much better to make the individual’s environment safer. Try to give patients with apraxia devices that can help them circumvent the primary deficit of the disorder.

Where to learn more

• 6 Important Things Your Doctor Won’t Tell You When Treating ADHD and Anxiety
• ADHD Medication Can Cause Psychosis or Worse – Let’s Encourage Health Instead
• Gluten and inflammatory disorders of the brain and nervous system
• DangerousMedicine.com
• BigPharmaNews.com

Summary

Apraxia is defined as the “inability to execute purposeful, previously learned motor tasks, despite physical ability and willingness, as a result of brain damage.”

Individuals diagnosed with apraxia are unable to conceptualize or accomplish learned complex motor tasks even though they possess motor, sensory, and coordination systems and can do the individual component movements.

Alternative treatment for apraxia also targets Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions that cause the disorder. Herbal remedies that are believed to benefit people with Alzheimer’s include ginkgo biloba, a plant extract.

Sources include

MSDManuals.com

Healthline.com

Medical-Dictionary.TheFreeDictionary.com