Hydromyelia is a congenital nature of the widening of the canal in the spinal cord and as a result of this change in its thickness a cavity is formed, which eventually becomes filled with fluid accumulating in the dilated canal.
Thus, the spinal cord's hydramia is a disease provoked by pathological changes in the medullary canal of the spine, most often the pathology is localized in the cervical and thoracic spine, although its lumbar region may be affected.
Causes of the disease
Among the common causes that lead to the development of the disease physicians distinguish:
- of the innate nature of the anatomical development of the spine, which leads to a lesion of the spinal canal, most often in the cervical or thoracic areas;
- the development of such a disease as a dropsy in the spinal canal of the spine can also provoke the development of hydroemia;
- Malignant oncology - with the emergence, growth and development of neoplasm in the cervical spine, the patient provokes a direct increase and expansion of the spinal canal;
- compression of the spinal cord is another of the root causes of various problems and diseases of the spine, as well as of any nature and theology, atrophic processes that affect the spinal canal;
- patient's trauma to the spine and internal bleeding in the spinal cord;
- , the defeat of the body and spinal cord, its canal, infection, pathogenic microflora - in this case, first of all, the root cause is diagnosed and eliminated, and further the doctors conduct and treat the pathology itself.
Congenital pathology can develop at the earliest age and can be asymptomatic, which means that patients turn to doctors at the later stages of the disease.
Symptomatic of
The hydromyelia in its development and course has the characteristic symptoms, namely:
- , finger infection and atrophic processes in muscle tissue and fibers, partial loss of sensitivity in them, or complete atrophy and development of insensitivity to external stimuli- heat, cold, tingling;
- disorders in the work of the locomotor and vestibular apparatus - gait and coordination of movements change, the patient can not move his arms and legs with full force, he staggers when walking;
- attack of pain in the upper extremities of the , giving off to the neck, intensifying with any movement of the hands or head turns;
- failure in sleep , as well as improper, inadequate perception of the patient's temperature when exposed to the body - the patient does not sleep well, and when exposed to heat or cold, one can not feel such influence;
- pathological changes, deformation of the spine of in the region of the cervical vertebrae or in its thoracic area;
- edema of developing on the affected area of the spine;
- sensation of chills or a rise in body temperature , fever attacks;
- in the patient may increase in size lymph nodes , diagnose muscle damage with spasms or the development of seizures;
- paralysis of the upper extremities or the development of necrosis.
Diagnosis of
In order to establish an accurate and correct diagnosis, a patient needs to undergo a complete examination of the body in order to find out and exclude all the underlying causes and irritating factors. For the most part, the patient undergoes a full course of diagnosis in a hospital - the main diagnostic methods are:
- X-ray of the affected joints and spine - this will allow to diagnose all the pathological changes taking place in them, to determine the stage of the development of the disease;
- examination using magnetic resonance tomograph of the spine and its separate sections, most often the cervical section and widening of its canal.
More about the spinal cord:
Treatment methods
The course of treatment is prescribed only after a thorough and thorough examination has been carried out, and the root causes have been diagnosed, provoked a pathological change in the spine. As a rule, the course of treatment is sympathetic, the patient is prescribed pain medication to reduce and eliminate negative symptoms.
If the patient is worried about the increase in the intensity of spinal negative symptoms - prescribe surgery. Completely eliminate the anomaly itself, physicians can exclusively surgically - medications only relieve negative symptoms, facilitating the overall condition of the patient.
To remove the fluid accumulated in the spinal canal, doctors use a shunt while performing a surgical procedure.
If the primary cause of the development of pathology is infectious disease - doctors prescribe a course of antibiotics, which allows you to remove puffiness and inflammation in the affected area of the spinal canal, in the cervical or thoracic spine.
When diagnosing severe pain in a patient, doctors prescribe a course of taking not only antidepressants, but also drugs classified in the gabapentin group.
What is the danger of the disease?
In case of untimely referral to doctors and absence of treatment, the patient can expect complete paralysis of the whole body or upper limbs.
Some patients who have undergone a course of treatment may experience a repetitive, spontaneous nature, exacerbation of the course of the pathology.
In some cases, doctors note a permanent neurological defect in their patients. But with timely treatment to the doctor and the course of treatment, and if necessary, and surgical intervention, the physicians' predictions are positive - in 9 out of 10 cases pathology can be eliminated to the full.
Preventive measures
With regard to preventive measures aimed at preventing such a disease as the hydromyelia of the thoracic and cervical spine, doctors give the following advice and recommendations:
- It is necessary correctly and, most importantly, timely to treat all infectious and inflammatory processes of occurring in the body andaffecting the tissues of the spinal cord. This will prevent the development of complications, negative consequences, including hydromyelia.
- In addition, doctors strongly recommend moving - morning exercise and a daily walk in the fresh air will allow to support the entire body and the musculoskeletal system in its normal state. If the work is sedentary, the lifestyle is inactive, then it is recommended to do an hourly 5-minute light workout every hour. You can just squat or make inclines to the right or left, but if they are accompanied by pain - it is worth to see a doctor.
- An important role in the prevention and proper nutrition - timely intake of food, rejection of harmful foods and dishes, adherence to the fractional principle of nutrition, when there are 5-6 times a day in small portions will prevent the development of problems with the body and spine, inincluding.
- The patient is also recommended to to limit any excessive, intense strain on the back of the - lifting of the heaviness and sudden changes in the posture.
- Also should avoid not only physical, but also psychological overwork - this reduces the body's defenses, making it more susceptible to negative external factors.
Refusal of bad habits and regular examination, examination by specialized doctors are the basis for the prevention of any pathology, not only hydromia.