Choreic Abasia is a medical term used to describe a condition where a person experiences a jerky, involuntary movement while walking. The spelling of 'Choreic' is pronounced as /ˈkɔːrɪk/, with emphasis on the second syllable. Meanwhile, 'Abasia' is pronounced as /əˈbeɪʒə/, with emphasis on the first syllable. Together, these terms create the word 'Choreic Abasia', pronounced as /ˈkɔːriɪk əˈbeɪʒə/. This condition can affect people of any age and can be caused by various underlying factors.
Choreic abasia is a medical term used to describe a specific gait abnormality characterized by irregular, involuntary movements of the limbs and trunk during walking. It is considered a type of ataxia, which is a lack of muscle coordination that affects voluntary movements.
The word "choreic" comes from the Greek word "choros," meaning dance, and refers to the jerky, dance-like movements exhibited by individuals with choreic abasia. These abnormal movements are often rapid, uncoordinated, and random in nature, causing difficulties in maintaining balance and steady forward motion during ambulation.
Abasia, on the other hand, refers to the inability to walk or the loss of the ability to coordinate leg movements properly. In choreic abasia, this inability to walk or coordinate leg movements is accompanied by the characteristic involuntary movements associated with chorea.
Choreic abasia is commonly associated with various neurological conditions, such as Huntington's disease, a progressive genetic disorder that affects the brain. It can also occur in other movement disorders or conditions that cause damage to the basal ganglia, a group of structures in the brain involved in motor control and coordination.
The diagnosis of choreic abasia involves a thorough clinical evaluation, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, and possibly additional tests to identify the underlying cause. Treatment typically focuses on managing the underlying condition and alleviating symptoms, which may include medications to reduce abnormal movements and improve gait stability, physical therapy to improve muscle coordination and balance, and supportive measures to enhance quality of life and functional abilities.
The word "Choreic Abasia" comes from the combination of two medical terms: "chorea" and "abasia".
- "Chorea" is derived from the Greek word "khoreia", which means "dance". In medical terminology, chorea refers to a movement disorder characterized by involuntary, rapid, jerky, and chaotic movements of the limbs or face. The term "chorea" was first used to describe this condition in the 17th century.
- "Abasia" is derived from the Greek words "a" meaning "without" and "basis" meaning "step" or "walk". It refers to the inability to walk due to impaired coordination of movements and balance. Abasia is commonly seen in various neurological conditions, including chorea.