{"id":3958,"date":"2019-02-18T06:34:55","date_gmt":"2019-02-18T06:34:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=3958"},"modified":"2021-11-10T15:01:05","modified_gmt":"2021-11-10T15:01:05","slug":"10-warning-signs-of-myelopathy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/10-warning-signs-of-myelopathy\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Warning Signs of Myelopathy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Cervical myelopathy is a condition that is caused by compression on the spinal cause. It can result in a host of unpleasant symptoms and will often get worse over time (this makes it a degenerative condition). While it most commonly affects older adults, it can be a problem for patients of all ages, and especially those with a genetic predisposition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myelopathy is different from myopathy which is a muscular disorder and is not related in any way. It can, however, be accompanied by radiculopathy, which is a pinching of the nerve where it exits the spinal cord and crosses between the intervertebral discs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we will look at 8 of the warning signs of myelopathy that you need to look out for so that you can stop it in its tracks \u2013 before it stops you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Pain<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the symptoms <\/a>of myelopathy is of course pain. The spinal cord is a collection of highly important nerves that travel up and down the spine through the vertebrae and which help to send signals to and from the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you should stub your toe, then this will excite a specific type of receptor called a \u2018nociceptor\u2019 \u2013 a pain receiver. That then sends a signal that travels through the nerves in your feet, up the spine, and to the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Very often then, damage to the nerves, or excitation of the nerves that are not expected, will be felt as a shooting pain \u2013 think of it as overloading the system that sends all these signals. This is often described as being a shooting pain, and it can be overwhelming at times. Changing angle may provide some relief as you alter the shape and the size of the gaps between the vertebrae thereby potentially providing some relief for the nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The precise location of the pain may be able to give you some more information as to the nature of the condition. Cervical myelopathy affects the neck primarily and is the most common type of myelopathy. Thoracic myelopathy is found in the middle area of the spine. Lumbar myelopathy is found in the lower part of the back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Arthritis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While arthritis <\/a>isn\u2019t a symptom of myelopathy, noticing arthritis symptoms may in fact be a useful warning sign that myelopathy isn\u2019t far behind \u2013 or that this is the cause for your pain and complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because arthritis will often lead to the problem by causing swelling, pressure, and generalized pain affecting the area \u2013 and this might also impact the nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other conditions can also lead to myelopathy. For instance, a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal trauma may cause the compression in the spine that leads to the problem \u2013 and this is most often felt in the middle of the spine: thoracic myelopathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growths and cysts may also be responsible and in some cases, these can be treated with surgery. The good news is several of these related causes can be treated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While pain and discomfort <\/a>might be among the earlier signs you notice, the condition can unfortunately worsen. As a degenerative condition, myelopathy is, unfortunately, likely to get worse with time as the important structures in the back start to wear away more and more due to the initial compression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And as this worsens, so too can the amount of pressure and interference placed on the nerves worsen. This, in turn, can have more severe effects than just pain \u2013 entirely disrupting the signal traveling from the legs to the brain and vice versa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When this happens, it can result in a lot of serious problems. It might for instance prevent you from being able to walk properly. At the same time, it can also interfere with important signals going to organs in the lower half of the body, including the bowels and the bladder. When this happens, it is possible to experience incontinence and difficulty controlling bowel movements. Both these issues are very unpleasant for the sufferer and so it is important to try and address the problem before it gets to this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4 .Muscle Weakness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Muscle <\/a>weakness can have many causes. In the case of myelopathy, the issue is caused by the signals that travel to and from the muscles being interrupted. This, in turn, means that you won\u2019t be able to command the strength in your muscles as much as usual, and this can in turn cause you to struggle with a lot of everyday tasks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can also be felt as a general weakness in the muscles. Unexplained muscle weakness is actually one of the earlier symptoms and one that you should be aware of at an early stage. If you notice that you\u2019ve lost the usual strength or dexterity in your limbs, then you need to try and find the cause \u2013 as this can often point to something more serious or at least some kind of spinal\/nerve malfunction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Tiredness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many things that can cause unexplained tiredness <\/a>\u2013 and in fact, many of us spend a whole lot of our time tired for no obvious reason. This makes this a symptom that is very hard to miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But tiredness could in fact be caused by myelopathy. Not only is this possible due to the stress that the body is under during constant pain and difficulty with signaling, but also because it can impact sleep (a secondary symptom) and because it can prevent the usual transport of oxygen and blood to the brain. That last factor may mean that your usual brain function is impaired \u2013 thereby making you feel tired, dizzy, and generally unwell. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Tingling and Numbness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just as compression to a nerve can cause a lot of serious pain<\/a>, it can also cause a range of other unusual symptoms. The nerves are responsible for conveying messages up and down the spine between the limbs and the brain, as well as the organs, and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These signals include our sense of touch, heat, fullness, etc. When they get interfered then, you might notice that you feel a kind of numbness as all of your usual senses are completely deadened and you\u2019re left with nothing but white noise. Likewise, it\u2019s common to feel pins and needles, which might become more severe when the area is touched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both these things you have likely experienced before: either when sitting on your limb for a long period of time, or when sleeping at a bad angle. Likewise, hitting a funny bone can cause a very similar sensation. All these effects are the result of a nerve being damaged or excited, which is why they are so similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Increased Reflexes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You might notice increased reflexes in your extremities. This probably sounds like a perk rather than a downside \u2013 like superpowers! Unfortunately, this is far from the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, though increased reflexes are a result of a malfunction in the nerves and can cause you to become jumpy and jittery. Not only that, but you might also develop inaccurate and strange reflexes that lead to physical tics and unusual movements<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can then worsen to lead to a complete loss of control or very poor movement patterns, difficulty walking, and more. If you notice yourself being jittery or just moving in a non-normal way, then speak with a physician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this is a useful tip in general: always look for change. If you are different in any way, this more than likely suggests something has changed in your body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Worsening Condition<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many of these issues can point to a whole host of conditions, including stenosis <\/a>or a herniated disc. As such, it can be very difficult to try and identify the potential cause of myelopathy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To this end, something to look out for is that the condition worsens over time. If this happens, then it might point to the possibility that you have myelopathy. This is a degenerative condition that gets worse as the wear and tear exacerbates. You might notice the symptoms worsening over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This doesn\u2019t mean it is definitely myelopathy, but it can certainly help to rule out self-limiting conditions such as a herniated disc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Loss of Fine Motor Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The cerebellum <\/a>is the part of the brain located behind your brain stem. The frontal lobes are mainly responsible for movement, but the cerebellum “refines” these movements. For example, the frontal lobes might be accountable for swinging your arms while you walk, but the cerebellum is responsible for helping you button your shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with myelopathy find the pressure on the nerves may cause problems with nerve signals coming from and to the cerebellum. As a result of the disruption, the affected individual finds they start losing control of their fine motor skills. Fine motor skills are essential for our daily routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The affected individual might find they have trouble brushing their teeth, tying their shoelaces, or buttoning their shirt. When the person with myelopathy notices these disruptions, they should seek medical attention immediately. Delaying your treatment or rehabilitation could lead to a progression of the condition and further trouble with nerve signaling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Problems with Balance and Coordination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The cerebellum is an important part of the brain<\/a> responsible for controlling your motor skills. However, it also has other functions. The cerebellum is also responsible for helping you maintain your balance. When people with myelopathy start to experience the onset of the condition, they find they have issues maintaining balance when walking in a straight line or rising from a sitting position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Balance is essential for your well-being. If you feel like you’re going to fall over all the time, you will have a significant reduction in your quality of life. The cerebellum also affects your coordination. People dealing with the effects of myelopathy often find they have issues with walking in a straight line. The interruption in the nerve signals to the cerebellum can also cause these issues with your navigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the affected individual receives the right treatment and rehabilitation, they can release the trapped nerve causing the problem. If the patient does respond to physical therapy, they should notice a slow lifting of coordination and balance issues over a few months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Problems sleeping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to research, around 10% to 30% of Americans deal with the effects of insomnia<\/a>. It’s is a chronic sleeping disorder where the patient can’t fall into deep REM sleep. Instead, they float in the alpha state, slipping in and out of consciousness. When they wake up, the brain hasn’t had the time to clear the toxins from neural pathways, and they feel tired. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a few days of insomnia, the affected individual may need to go to their doctor for a diagnosis. If the doctor feels you have a severe case of insomnia, they may prescribe sleeping medication to help you get a restful night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Myelopathy can cause neck pain affecting you when you try to sleep. If you don’t have a memory foam pillow, you won’t have the right support for the neck, causing interruptions and pain in the nerve signaling between the cervical spine and the brain. Sleeping on a memory foam pillow provides your neck with the right support, mitigating the effects of pain, helping you sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Causes of Myelopathy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Patients who develop myelopathy notice a slow onset of the condition over time. As we age, the skeletal system starts to leech calcium<\/a>, resulting in weakened bones and spinal discs. As a result, the spine may begin to degrade, causing a loss in the vertebrae joints’ integrity. The joints may partially or wholly collapse, causing issues with myelopathy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other conditions like arthritis, bone spurs, and inflammation can also cause pinching of the nerves in the cervical spine, leading to myelopathy’s development. In most cases, patients with myelopathy develop the condition over decades due to steady degeneration of the spine, also known as spondylosis. In some cases, the affected individual may experience the condition at birth due to a congenital disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other causes of myelopathy include spinal stenosis, where the spine undergoes a narrowing process, trapping nerves in the spinal canal. A central disc herniation might also cause spinal compression, leading to the onset of myelopathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Diagnosing Myelopathy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’re suffering from myelopathy symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor for a diagnosis<\/a>. Your physician will carry out the following tests during your consultation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n