If you have never heard of Arachnoiditis, allow us to educate you on this medical condition that is affecting a lot of people. Well, through this article, we will show you what the common causes and the different types of arachnoiditis there are. You can also read about the ways in which one can manage the pain and symptoms that may occur.
So what exactly is Arachnoiditis? It is a neurological condition that affects the back inflicting pain, the perineum which is the area between the genitals and the rectum, the legs, arms, and even the feet. Arachnoiditis also impairs the person's vision, sight, and mobility. Arachnoiditis occurs when the tissues that shield the brain, the nerves, and the spinal cord has been damaged due to a traumatic injury.
Arachnoiditis can be explained as a progressive neurological disorder. Arachnoiditis takes place during the time the arachnoid is damaged. The arachnoid is a portion of a group of membranes that puts the brain in a cushion-like safety net along with the spinal cord nerves. If this cushioning is damaged, it would lead to the nerves malfunctioning.
The nerves in the spinal cord are layered in multiple thin tissues known as meninges, that help cushion and protect it. The arachnoid mater occurs in the middle tissue of the meninges. If there is any damage done to the arachnoid matter, it would lead to swelling and inflammation. This swelling results in the nerves present in the spine to stick together, altering nerve function and there is intense pain.
Arachnoiditis is usually caused because of an injury. There has been some hereditary arachnoiditis, but the usual people affected by arachnoiditis suffer from the condition after injuring their spine. Arachnoiditis is, as we have mentioned before, a progressive disorder, which means that it would worsen over time if not treated properly. There are even reports of debilitating.
The symptoms of arachnoiditis are not the same for every person. It can also change as time goes on. In the initial stages, some people with arachnoiditis tend to mistake it for a muscle or joint injury. Even though muscles and joints hurt, the source of this pain is actually neurological. Therefore, a massage and similar strategies cannot reduce these symptoms.
There may be loads of symptoms that surround arachnoiditis. However, some of the most common symptoms of arachnoiditis would have to be vision changes, pain occurring in the joints or muscles, nerve pain, unusual sensations like ringing in the ears, muscle weakness, a sensation of burn or tingle, changes in hearing, meningitis, or swelling of the meninges.
There are also less frequent symptoms that people with arachnoiditis may experience. So what are they? These symptoms may include swelling of the brain (hydrocephalus), the inability to perspire, unusual or involuntary body movements, urinary problems, chronic fatigue, migraines. As you can see, the symptoms are very different and do not follow a pattern.
Doctors have been able to classify arachnoiditis, separating it into several subtypes. After specifying which is the kind of arachnoiditis a person has, one can pinpoint the predicting symptoms. The different types of arachnoiditis include Adhesive arachnoiditis, arachnoiditis ossificans, and cerebral arachnoiditis.
Adhesive arachnoiditis is certainly the most severe and progressive kind, it usually takes place when the spinal nerves stick together because of arachnoid inflammation.
Then we have arachnoiditis ossificans, which occurs when the arachnoid transfers to the bone.
Cerebral arachnoiditis is the kind that affects the membrane surrounding the brain, and might even cause intense headaches.
Hereditary arachnoiditis is not a frequent type of arachnoiditis which occurs because of defects in the meninges that are genetics.
Neoplastic arachnoiditis is the type of arachnoiditis that is caused due to cancer.
Optochiasmatic arachnoiditis, on the other hand, is an arachnoiditis that occurs behind the optic nerve which can result in severe or complete vision loss.
Having an epidural often results in arachnoiditis. The cause of arachnoiditis is a factor that determines the kind a person develops. Frequent causes are:
-an injury during spinal surgery, which is the reason for 60 percent of cases
-myelography, when the spinal column is injected with dye
-exposure to chemicals that damage the meninges
-injections into the spine, such as following an epidural
-lumbar puncture
-viral and bacterial infections of the spine
-physical trauma to the spine, such as from a car accident
-cancer in or around the spine
-A very small number of arachnoiditis cases are genetic.
Pain management therapy is also good for arachnoiditis. Arachnoiditis is an uncommon thing, therefore it could require several tests and a lot of time to correctly diagnose. There is no standard test for arachnoiditis, but imaging tests are used. They are:
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan
An electromyogram (EMG) is a helpful means to judge the severity of the damage. This test makes use of electrical impulses to clarify whether the nerves are functioning or not. Treating arachnoiditis is quite a challenge. Since the area that surrounds the spinal cord is quite delicate, even a tiny damage could have serious consequences.
Surgery helps but it is mostly not recommended. Surgery may not always be effective and could even expose the spine to possible further damage. Even if in case a surgery is effective, the benefits are usually short lived.
Most doctors often try managing symptoms using a variety of techniques that could result in a temporary but effective outcome.
Quite a number of physical therapy techniques may assist in easing the pain and prevent further damage. Exercise therapy helps to strengthen the muscles and to manage the pain. Massage may relief muscle tension causing pain, while water therapy temporarily relieves nerve pain. For temporary relieving of inflammation, hot and cold patches are used. Pain medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), steroid drugs, and narcotic pain medications, such as opioids are also commonly used.
Some treatments that work on the nerves or spinal cord and may not need medication. Two techniques are:
Spinal cord stimulation: This technique makes use of a device that sends an electrical signal directly to the spinal cord that results in pain relief.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): Much like the spinal cord stimulator, a TENS unit sends electricity to the painful area to reduce pain and have a progress in movement.
Living with chronic pain is indeed a challenge. Therapy may help to alter the thought process of the ones affected regarding their pain and give emotional support. Support groups for people having rare diseases have also proven to help a lot. These groups tend to come up with new resources, share effective lifestyle remedies, and also keep the sick from feeling lonely
There are also many people who find alternative remedies to work for them. This includes acupuncture, diet and lifestyle changes, or homeopathic medicine. More research work has to be done so as to determine that effects of these alternative remedies. There is no clear understanding of how good these remedies are for treating people with arachnoiditis.
Arachnoiditis is manageable but a cure is yet to be discovered. With the proper treatment, there is a possibility that one can end up living a normal life. Sometimes with this disease may need to change their treatment approach if they find their symptoms changing. Some people tend to discover that their symptoms get worse even after seeking medical care. Consulting a doctor is always helpful.
No one has been able to come up with a prediction as to how arachnoiditis will progress in a particular case. Learning about the different types of arachnoiditis could of much help. Even though there is an alarming amount of variability even with people who have the same type of arachnoiditis, there is still no means to properly address it.
Arachnoiditis is no doubt a troublesome and potentially disabling medical condition. Even if it is not curable, there have been a variety of treatments that can be of help. People who live with arachnoiditis have the right to live their lives as normally as possible and must consult their doctor inquisitively. This could, fortunately, end up in getting the proper treatment they need.