What diseases can affect the spinal cord?

What diseases can affect the spinal cord?

Summary

  • Tumors.
  • Infections such as meningitis and polio.
  • Inflammatory diseases.
  • Autoimmune diseases.
  • Degenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy.

What is disease of the spinal cord called?

Overview. Transverse myelitis is an inflammation of both sides of one section of the spinal cord. This neurological disorder often damages the insulating material covering nerve cell fibers (myelin). Transverse myelitis interrupts the messages that the spinal cord nerves send throughout the body.

What causes spinal cord disorder?

Causes of spinal cord disorders include injuries, infections, a blocked blood supply, and compression by a fractured bone or a tumor. Typically, muscles are weak or paralyzed, sensation is abnormal or lost, and controlling bladder and bowel function may be difficult.

What are the symptoms of spinal cord infection?

Symptoms

  • Pain that is worse with movement and doesn’t respond to rest and medication.
  • Neck stiffness.
  • Fever.
  • Chills.
  • Swelling or redness at the infection site.
  • Night pain.
  • Unexplained weight loss.
  • Bowel and bladder incontinence.

How do I know if my spine is not straight?

Possible signs that your spine is out of alignment include:

  • chronic headaches.
  • lower back pain.
  • neck pain.
  • knee pain.
  • hip pain.
  • frequent illnesses.
  • excessive fatigue.
  • numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.

How do you know if something is wrong with your spine?

The most common spine symptoms include back and neck pain with or without stiffness; hip pain or sciatica; muscle spasms or weakness; and shoulder, knee or ankle pain and swelling. Most spine symptoms are not life threatening.

What are some spine problems?

Let’s look at 10 of the most common spine issues and what you can do alleviate the pain from them.

  1. Herniated Disc. The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae.
  2. Muscle Strain.
  3. Scoliosis.
  4. Whiplash.
  5. Osteoporosis.
  6. Sciatica.
  7. Compression Fracture.
  8. Spinal Myelopathy.

Can a person live without a spinal cord?

The spinal cord is a column of nerves that connects your brain with the rest of your body, allowing you to control your movements. Without a spinal cord, you could not move any part of your body, and your organs could not function. This is why keeping your spine healthy is vital if you want to live an active life.

What are some diseases that can affect the PNS?

Infections such as meningitis, encephalitis, polio, and epidural abscess can also affect the nervous system, the NIH noted. Treatments vary from anti-inflammatory medications and pain medications such as opiates, to implanted nerve stimulators and wearable devices, Gozani said.

What does spinal cord diseases mean?

Spinal Cord Diseases Pathologic conditions which feature SPINAL CORD damage or dysfunction, including disorders involving the meninges and perimeningeal spaces surrounding the spinal cord. Traumatic injuries, vascular diseases, infections, and inflammatory/autoimmune processes may affect the spinal cord.

What is the term meaning disease to spinal cord?

Myelopathy is an injury to the spinal cord due to severe compression that may result from trauma, congenital stenosis, degenerative disease or disc herniation. The spinal cord is a group of nerves housed inside the spine that runs almost its entire length.

What is the disorder of the spinal cord?

Spinal disorders are the disturbance of normal functioning of the spinal column and/or spinal cord. Common spine disorders include bulging or ruptured discs, spinal stenosis, and radiculopathy.