Lumbar Spine Arthritis or Spondylosis

     The most common type of arthritis to occur in the spine is osteoarthritis. Another name of Osteoarthritis is degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis of the spine is a breakdown of cartilage in the area of the neck and lower back. The wear and tear of osteoarthritis cause pressure on the nerves extending from the spinal column. This induces weakness and pain in the arms or legs. Osteoarthritis may also cause bone spurs to form in the spinal area. Osteoarthritis of the spine is sometimes called spinal spondylosis if the damage affects the facet joint and the discs in the spine.

     The following problems may lead to spine arthritis,

         Joint injury or trauma 

         Cartilage defect  

        

Arthritis spine symptoms

• cause stiffness or pain in the neck or back pain

• cause weakness or numbness in the legs or arms

• spinal stenosis

• A crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone

• Spinal deformity

Arthritis of the spine treatment    

Treatment of spine arthritis depends on the symptoms. Some of the treatments for arthritis of spine include:

• Physical Therapy

• Weight Loss

• Anti-Inflammatory Medications

• Ice & Heat Applications

• Chiropractic Treatment

• Alternative treatments include acupuncture, massage, magnet therapy, natural remedies, and others.

• Epidural Injections

• Spinal Fusion Surgery

     

       

Brain Abscess a Deadly Infection

Brain Abscess is also known as a Cerebral Abscess and caused by collection of infected materials  originated from local or remote infection sources.Cerebrum is most commonly affected by brain abscess.An abscess may also occur in the cerebellum or brain stem. Empyema is another condition, an accumulation of pus around the brain.some times it lead to Blood clots in Brain.It occurs when bacteria or fungi enter the brain tissue,the pus contains immune cells, dead microbes, cellular debris, and tissue fluid.Brain abscess leads to swelling of brain and brain inflammation.The pus is made up of dead and live microorganisms, and destroyed tissue from white blood cells carried to the area to fight the infection. Intraventricular rupture of brain abscesses (IVRBA) remains a catastrophic and fatal complication of bacterial brain abscess.

Causes of a Brain Abscess

1. Brain abscesses are generally caused by bacteria entering the cranial cavity.
2. Local sources may include ear infections, a dental abscess, infection of the paranasal sinuses, or epidural abscess
3. Remote sources may include infections in the lung, heart or kidney.
4. Brain abscess may also be the result of a head trauma.
5. children cerebral abscesses are usually linked to congenital heart disease.
6. Deadly brain abscesses due to infection caused from tongue piercings have occurred.
7. Many brain abscesses are polymicrobical

Symptoms of a Brain Abscess

1. Fever
2. Headache
3. vomiting
4. inability to think quickly
5. stupor
6. Body weakness
7. Fits (seizures)
8. abnormal sensations
9. Decreased speech
10. Loss of muscle function
11. Vision changes

Diagnosis

To diagnose a brain abscess following diagnostic tests will be conducted,

1.  computed tomography (CT)
2.  Blood cultures
3.  Chest x-ray
4.  Complete blood count (CBC)
5.  Head CT scan
6.  Electroencephalogram (EEG)
7.  Testing the presence of antibodies

Treatment

1. Treating the infection with antibiotics
2. Removing the abscess
3. Neurosurgeon can remove a piece of the brain abscess with a fine needle.

Prevention

You can reduce the risk of developing a brain abscess by treating any disorders that can cause them. Have a follow-up examination after infections are treated. Some people, including those with certain heart disorders, may receive antibiotics before dental or urological procedures to help reduce the risk.

Prognosis

without treatment a Brain Abscess is nearly always fatal.

Consult a Doctor

Centre for Brain & Spine Care