An infection or another autoimmune condition may sometimes trigger neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Some of the risk factors associated with NMO include:
- Female gender
- Africans, Americans, Asians, or Native Americans
- People of age between 40 and 50 years
What is NMO?
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) or Devic’s disease is a rare, autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). It primarily affects the myelin sheath that insulates the CNS. It targets the spinal cord, optic nerves, and brainstem. Damage to the optic nerves produces swelling and inflammation that cause pain and vision damage. Damage to the spinal cord causes weakness or paralysis in the legs or arms, loss of sensation, and problems with the bladder and bowel function. Moreover, damage to the brainstem can lead to prolonged hiccoughs, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, or respiratory failure.
NMO is a relapsing-remitting disease, and during a relapse, new damage to the optic nerves and/or spinal cord can cause additional disability.
Unlike multiple sclerosis (MS), NMO isn’t a progressive disease. Hence, preventing relapse is crucial to prevent further disabilities.
There are two types of NMO:
- Relapsing form: It is the most common type of NMO and mainly affects women. It has periodic flare-ups with some respite in between.
- Monophasic form: It involves a single attack that lasts for 1-2 months. Both men and women are equally affected by this form.
What causes NMO?
In most cases, neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is caused by the abnormal antibodies (proteins) binding to the protein gates called aquaporin-4 (AQP4) in the optic nerves and spinal cord. Aquaporins are proteins that transport water across the cell membranes. The binding of the aquaporin-4 antibody triggers other constituents of the immune system, causing inflammation and damage to these cells. Further, the brain and spinal cord lose the myelin sheath that insulates the central nervous system (CNS).
What are the symptoms of NMO?
The symptoms of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) are mainly because of inflammation of the optic nerves (optic neuritis) and spinal cord (transverse myelitis). The most common symptoms include:
- Loss or blurring of vision in one or both the eyes
- Loss of color vision
- Eye pain
- Weakness
- Numbness (no sensation)
- Paralysis (loss of function)
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Retention of urine or difficulty emptying the bladder
- Spasticity (increased tone or stiffness in the extremities)
- Shooting pain or tingling in the neck, back, or abdomen
- Uncontrollable nausea and vomiting
- Uncontrollable hiccoughs
- Fatigue
- Confusion, seizures, or coma can occur in children
In the early course of the disease, the symptoms of NMO are challenging to differentiate from those of multiple sclerosis (MS) because both may cause optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. However, optic neuritis and myelitis are severe in NMO compared with those in MS.
QUESTION
See AnswerHow is NMO diagnosed
Physicians may use the following tests to diagnose neuromyelitis optica (NMO):
- Neurological examination to examine movement, muscle strength, coordination, sensation, memory, and thinking functions
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spinal cord
- Blood test or lumbar puncture to screen for antibodies
How is NMO treated
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is incurable; however, physicians may prescribe medications to avoid relapse and relieve symptoms. The standard care for an initial attack includes:
- Intravenous high-dose methylprednisolone
- Plasma exchange: In this procedure, the physician removes the blood from the body through a needle and tubing; they separate the plasma from the blood cells and replace it with an artificial plasma substitute.
Medications used to treat NMO include:
- Eculizumab
- Inebilizumab
- Satralizumab
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Top What Triggers NMO? Related Articles
Can NMO Cause Headaches?
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) also known as Devic disease is a rare yet severe disease. In this condition, antibodies (proteins) are produced against the cells in the central nervous system. It specifically affects the myelin, which is the insulation sheath around the nerves.Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Does NMO Qualify for Disability?
Neuromyelitis optica or NMO qualifies for severe disability because it affects the central nervous system, causing blindness and paralysis.Does NMO Show on MRI?
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) or Devic disease is a rare, autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the choice of diagnostic method for neuromyelitis optica (NMO).Eye Health: Guide to Colorblindness
Caused by genes, disease, or medicine color blindness is diagnosed using the Ishiara color test. Learn about the gadgets and habits the color blind use to live with it and the prospects of a treatment.What Is the Life Expectancy of Someone With NMO?
Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is a rare inflammatory autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the optic nerve and the spinal cord, and sometimes the brain. Current research indicates that neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) patients have a 91% to 98% five-year survival rate.