Syringomyelia

Syringomyelia is a condition in which a fluid-filled cyst called a syrinx forms within your spinal cord. The syrinx can get bigger and elongate over time, resulting in damage to your spinal cord and compression and injury of the nerve fibers that carry information from your brain to the rest of your body and vice versa.

The fluid in the cyst is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This fluid normally surrounds and protects your brain and spinal cord. CSF also fills connected cavities within the center of your brain called the ventricles, which continue to a small central canal that runs the length of your spinal cord.

If you have syringomyelia, CSF collects within the tissue of your spinal cord, expands the central canal and forms a syrinx. Generally, a syrinx develops when the normal flow of CSF fluid around your spinal cord or lower brain stem is disturbed. When syrinxes affect your brain stem, the condition is called syringobulbia.

The upper portions of your spinal cord (cervical and thoracic) are often affected by syringomyelia.

Who does syringomyelia affect?

The majority of people with syringomyelia are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, but it can also develop in young children or older adults.

How common is syringomyelia?

Syringomyelia is rare. It affects approximately every 8 out of 100,000 people and accounts for up to 5% of paraplegia (paralysis of your legs and lower body) cases.

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

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