Know About Cauda Equina Syndrome

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Just beside the spinal column, there is a place where primarily all the lower body's nerves branch off. This bundle appears as a horse's tail also known as cauda equina. The problem- cauda equine syndrome arises due to pressurized or damaged nerve bundle. It is a grave condition that needs to be treated medically by a physician.

Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome
The symptoms of this condition appear gradually over the time or in some cases they even appear rapidly. Some of the common symptoms associated with this condition are:

" Chronic lower back pain that may even be accompanied by leg pain.
* Numbness in buttock region or thighs i.e. loss of sensation, which may lead to sexual dysfunction.
* Trouble in walking and weakness.
* No bladder or bowel movement.
* Sensory abnormalities.

Diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome
* Examine the symptoms of pain in your legs as well as lower back. Generally, the pain radiates downwards.
* You would definitely find some problem with your urinary tract.
* Examine the symptoms and straightaway call for your doctor.
* Doctor will examine you and evaluate all the symptoms. He would then test your reflexes as well as your potency to feel the pain.
* Radiology is done. Basically, X-rays and MRIs can be used to detect the damaged nerve roots and to find the compression.
* Finally, doctor will make use of all the results to offer you complete diagnosis and treatment for the same.

Treatment of cauda equina syndrome
As soon as you get diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome, treatment becomes mandatory. In cases where such condition arises due to tumors, chemotherapy as well as radiation treatment is required to eliminate this condition.

* Antibiotics, steroids and anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to treat this condition.
* However, surgery becomes requisite in extreme cases. Besides, it is also seen as a potent treatment of cauda equina syndrome. Neurological surgery on your back can alleviate the pain. Doctor uses three basic surgeries in case severe herniated back is primary reason behind such condition. The three surgeries are discectomy, microdiscectomy, or laser discectomy.
* Exercise therapy is also effective in treatment of cauda equina syndrome. Though, it is helpful in initial stage or after the surgery only. You can use dumbbells to build core strength or exercise ball can even be used to perform curls. This would certainly improve your lower back flexibility.

So, visit a doctor as soon as you notice any of the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome as it can lead to permanent bowel damage, else paralysis in sufferers.