What is a Spinal Cord Disorder?
spinal cord disorder is a condition that affects the spinal cord and its ability to transmit signals between the body and the brain. The spinal cord is an essential part of the central nervous system and plays a crucial role in many important functions, including movement, sensation, and control of reflexes. When the spinal cord is damaged or diseased, it can result in a wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe, that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life.
Causes of Spinal Cord Disorder
Spinal cord disorders can originate from either outside or inside the spinal cord. Damage from the outside of the cord is caused by compression of the spinal cord or injury. The spinal cord may be compressed due to a bone fracture, spinal degeneration, or abnormalities, such as a hematoma, tumor or herniated disk.
Damage from inside the spinal cord can be caused by a number of disorders, such as:
- Fluid-filled cavities
- Blockage of blood supply
- Vitamin deficiency
- Autoimmune diseases
- Multiple sclerosis
- Syphilis
Spine Disorder Symptoms
Symptoms for spine disorders vary depending on the specific disorder. As the spine acts as the main support for the body, spine disorders can often affect other parts of the body.
Common symptoms of spine disorders include:
- Sharp, dull or burning back or neck pain
- Stiffness or tightness
- Abnormal rounding in the shoulders or back
- Numbness, weakness or tingling in the arms or legs
- Nausea or vomiting
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction
Arthritis-
Arthritis means inflammation or swelling of one or more joints. It describes more than 100 conditions that affect the joints, tissues around the joint, and other connective tissues. Specific symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis, but usually include joint pain and stiffness.
Spinal stenosis-
Spinal stenosis happens when the space inside the backbone is too small. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that travel through the spine. Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the lower back and the neck. Some people with spinal stenosis have no symptoms.
Herniated discs-
Herniated discs, also known as slipped discs or bulging discs, are a common condition that affects many people. It occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc bulges out through a crack in the outer layer of the disc. This can put pressure on the nerves and cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the arms or legs.
Spondylosis -
Cervical spondylosis is a general term for age-related wear and tear affecting the spinal disks in your neck. As the disks dehydrate and shrink, signs of osteoarthritis develop, including bony projections along the edges of bones (bone spurs). Cervical spondylosis is very common and worsens with age.
Degenerative disc disease-
- Degenerative disc disease is a common cause of back pain, especially as you get older. The discs that cushion the vertebrae – the long stack of bones in your spine – begin to dry out. Discs can also get damaged from normal wear and tear or an injury.