What is cerebellitis?
Cerebellitis can happen suddenly after a viral or bacterial infection. The infection causes swelling in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls movement.
The group of symptoms caused by the swelling are commonly referred to as ataxia.
What causes cerebellitis?
Cerebellitis is caused by infections such as chicken pox or epstein-barr virus. It can also happen as a result of an autoimmune condition, such as lupus or multiple sclerosis, which is more common in adults.
When caused by infection, patients tend to make a full recovery.
What are the symptoms of cerebellitis?
Symptoms of cerebellitis mostly involve balance and coordination. Those with the condition may have difficulty:
- walking
- coordinating the arms and legs
- seeing
Cerebellitis may also cause:
- headaches
- nausea
- vomiting
