Symptoms typically start between the ages of 5 and 15, but in late-onset FRDA, they may occur after age 25 years. The symptoms are broad, but consistently involve gait and limb ataxia, dysarthria and loss of lower limb reflexes. Classical symptoms There is some variability in symptom frequency, onset and progression. All individuals with FRDA develop neurological symptoms, including dysarthria and loss of lower limb reflexes, and more than 90% present with ataxia. Cardiac issues are very common with early onset FRDA . Most individuals develop heart problems such as enlargement of the heart, symmetrical hypertrophy, heart murmurs, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and conduction defects. Scoliosis is present in about 60%. 7% of people with FRDA also have diabetes and having diabetes has an adverse impact on people with FA, especially those that show symptoms when young. Other symptoms People who have been living with FRDA for a long time may develop other complications. 36.8% experience decreased visual acuity, which may be progressive and could lead to functional blindness. Hearing loss is present in about 10.9% of cases. Some patients report bladder and bowel symptoms. Advanced stages of disease are associated with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, most commonly atrial fibrillation. Other later stage symptoms can include, cerebellar effects such as nystagmus, fast saccadic eye movements, dysmetria and loss of coordination (truncal ataxia, and stomping gait). Symptoms can involve the dorsal column such as the loss of vibratory sensation and proprioceptive sensation. The progressive loss of coordination and muscle strength leads to the full-time use of a wheelchair. Most young people diagnosed with FRDA require mobility aids such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair by early 20s. The disease is progressive, with increasing staggering or stumbling gait and frequent falling. By the third decade, affected people lose the ability to stand or walk without assistance and require a wheelchair for mobility. Early-onset cases Non-neurological symptoms such as scoliosis, pes cavus, cardiomyopathy and diabetes are more frequent amongst the early-onset cases.
medical cause of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
medical cause of Dilated cardiomyopathy
medical cause of Myocarditis
complications of Dilated cardiomyopathy
medical cause of Mitral insufficiency
complications of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
medical cause of Mitral valve stenosis
medical cause of Supraventricular tachycardia