Category: Health and Wellness
cauda equine
Definition:
What is cauda equina syndrome?
Cauda equina syndrome is a condition caused by compression of the spinal nerves in the lowest region of the spinal canal (lumbar spine). Most cases of
nerve compression are not emergencies, but patients with cauda equina syndrome require urgent diagnosis for proper treatment.
What are the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome?
Cauda equine syndrome causes symptoms due to the compression of the spinal nerves. The symptoms may vary in different patients in the type and the intensity.
Patients with any symptoms of cauda equina should seek medical attention to determine if there is an emergency situation:
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• Difficultly controlling the bowel and/or bladder
• Numbness around the genitals
• Progressive numbness or weakness of the legs
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What causes cauda equina syndrome?
Anything that presses on the spinal nerves can cause cauda equina syndrome. These include problems such as:
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• Herniated discs
• Spinal tumors
• Spinal infections
• Traumatic injuries and fractures
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What is the treatment of cauda equina syndrome?
Cauda equina syndrome can become permanent if the symptoms are not properly addressed. Patients who have cauda equina may require emergency surgical treatment
in order to relieve pressure on the affected nerves.
Updated: November 19, 2006
I was just diagnosed with this and I do not need back surgery, but will be going to get a second opinion soon, right now they are just doping me up, o joy, right when I got my GED and was hoping to go back to work.
I must say it really does hurt so my not be around to much, so take care all and you know how to get in touch with me if you want.
Thanks for the information about this.
I hope everything works out fine.
Bob
Bryan, I am sorry to here you have to go through this. I have had health issues ever since I was born. I was born with kidney failure and spend three days a week on dialysis. I think that we all should remember that there are people who have it worse than we do. I always try to remember that each time I go to dialysis. I hope to get a kidney one day, but until then I just hang in there. Bryan I hope this is not as serious for ya my good man. Keep your head up and keep smiling you delicious man.
Cauda, means "any tail like structure".
Equine, means "horse-like".
Does this mean then that you've finally been diagnosed as a horses ass?
well kev, takes one to know one