Ataxia is not a slow disease. In medicine ataxia is referred to as a symptom, not a disease. The onset of the symptom may present as acute, subacute or chronic. Ataxia is a common symptom of uncoordinated movement, caused by damage to the nerves, centers, and vestibular system that coordinate movement, and has a variety of causes. Ataxia may be acute, subacute, or chronic, depending on the cause. For example, brain tumors are usually chronic, so ataxia caused by them often has a chronic onset; ataxia caused by genetic defects often has a chronic onset; and ataxia caused by acute heavy-metal toxicity often occurs acutely in a relatively short period of time. Whether the disease is acute or chronic, patients with ataxia should consult a doctor as soon as possible when suspected symptoms appear, and be treated according to the primary disease to achieve the goal of effectively relieving or eliminating ataxia symptoms.