What are the symptoms of myelitis?
Sep 30, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Introduction
Myelitis is an inflammation of the spinal cord caused by various infections or hypersensitivity reactions. Main symptoms include back pain, numbness and stiffness of the spine, abnormal sensations, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and symptoms of spinal shock. If myelitis is suspected, prompt medical evaluation and diagnosis should be conducted to ensure timely and effective treatment.
Myelitis is an inflammation of the spinal cord caused by various infections or hypersensitivity reactions. Main symptoms include back pain, spinal numbness and stiffness, sensory disturbances, bladder and bowel dysfunction, and signs of spinal shock. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Back pain: Most patients with myelitis may experience varying degrees of back pain, particularly in the thoracic and lumbar regions. The pain may be poorly localized and radiate around the spine, primarily presenting as recurrent dull aches.
2. Spinal numbness and stiffness: Patients may feel numbness and restricted movement in the spine. Typically, affected areas such as the neck or lower back may feel as if bound by metal plates, making bending and twisting movements difficult and inflexible.
3. Sensory abnormalities: Some patients with myelitis may develop abnormal sensations. Their sense of touch, temperature, and pain may become relatively diminished.
4. Bladder and bowel dysfunction: Myelitis may affect nerves controlling the bladder and bowel, leading to problems such as urinary incontinence, constipation, or fecal incontinence.
5. Symptoms of spinal shock: During the acute phase of myelitis, patients may enter a period of spinal shock, characterized by quadriplegia or flaccid paralysis of both lower limbs, extremely low muscle tone, absent tendon reflexes, and negative pathological signs.
If myelitis is suspected, prompt medical evaluation and diagnosis are essential to enable timely and effective treatment.
