NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA

NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA (DEVIC’S SYNDROME)

Overview and Facts

Neuromyelitis Optica or Devic’s disease is an immunological disorder that may be diagnosed as multiple sclerosis. It is mostly caused by attacks in the immune system on the optic nerves. Patients with neuromyelitis may experience attacks at the same time or sometimes at different times. Patients may also have problems with their optic nerves or spinal cord problems and still have Neuromyelitis Optica (Devic’s disease). It is a type of chronic disease of the nervous system that affects mainly the brain and the spinal cord. This may be caused by the inflammation of the optic nerve and spinal cord.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

Every person has different symptoms; this can be mild or severe pain. In some people with neuromyelitis, the spinal cord may be swollen and inflamed. It is called transverse myelitis. If the optic nerve becomes inflamed, it is known as optic neuritis.

Neuromyelitis Optica or Devic’s disease can cause broad symptoms, including blindness, weakness, nerve pain, and muscle inflammation. Symptoms will vary from one person to another. Others may have one attack of symptoms and recover from the condition faster.

Neuromyelitis Optica affects both children and adults, but it mostly affects women more than men. These are some of its symptoms:

  • Eye pain
  • Loss of vision
  • Colors that appear faded
  • A weakness of the arms and legs
  • Pain in the legs or arms that feels sharp, burning, shooting, and increased sensitivity to cold and heat
  • Painful muscle spasms in the arms and legs
  • Bladder, or bowel problems

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

In diagnosing neuromyelitis optica, your doctor will examine you and your symptoms related to the condition. If the symptoms are related to neuromyelitis optica, the doctor will refer you to a neurologist, or a specialist in the nerves. A number of tests will be performed to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions similar to neuromyelitis optica, including multiple sclerosis. Your doctor may request for an MRI of the brain or spinal cord, and some blood tests to know the cause of the symptoms you are experiencing.

TREATMENT

There’s no cure for neuromyelitis optica, but supportive treatments will help lessen symptoms, prevent future problems, and slow down the disease development. Doctors may prescribe treatments to aid in alleviating with the symptoms, which include the following:

  • The use of steroids to lessen inflammation
  • Medications to enhance your immune system and lessen symptoms you have, including azathioprine, and methotrexate
  • Rituximab is a  new type of drug that is known as a biological agent. It lessens inflammation

Other treatments include rehabilitation, such as physiotherapy that will help with mobility problems.

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