how can I ease the pain of chronic cauda equina without narcotics?

Cauda equina syndrome is a very severe condition that affects the nerve roots in the lower area of the spine. The cauda equina means horse's tail. This is the name given as the nerves branch off in the lower side of the spine, to bring sensations into the pelvis and the lower area of the body. The cauda equina nerve branches off in the lower part of the spine and may be injured or infected, causing a lot of pain. The causes of cauda equina syndrome include physical injuries to the nerve, tumors that prevent the neural transmissions from occurring, nerve infection that may affect the neurons, and severe trauma.

Cauda equina pain is very severe and often debilitating. Most of the treatments for this condition involve a surgery for removing the damaged neurons. The surgical procedure may be performed to relieve the pressure on the nerves. In case you have a tumor pressing on the nerves in your lower spine, the only treatment is to remove the tumors. A lot of people experience recurring cauda equina syndrome, and the prognosis of the condition usually depends on the cause. If the condition is a result of some injury, the prognosis may depend on the severity of the injury.

answered by A S

Cauda equina syndrome with neurogenic bladder?

The nerves in the lower part of your spine connect your upper body with the lower half of your body. The cauda equina nerve branches off to the pelvis and the lower limbs. People who suffer from cauda equina syndrome usually suffer from bladder conditions, such as bladder dysfunction. Cauda equina syndrome with neurogenic bladder dysfunction may be caused when your nerves are injured.

If the neurons in the cauda equina nerves are damaged, the brain may not be able to transmit messages to the bladder. This may cause incontinence and a lot of pain in the bladder. Even if you do not experience a lot of symptoms of cauda equina syndrome, you may still have bladder problems. These symptoms may cause you to withdraw from your social life, and may even begin to affect your work life.

The involvement of your bladder in the symptoms of cauda equina syndrome could lead to severe complications. In fact, there is a high rate of morbidity associated with this condition. Make sure that you do not mismanage the symptoms of your bladder condition as this could cause recurring urinary tract infections. You may also experience acute urinary retention. The causes of neurogenic bladder range from tumors pressing on the cauda equina nerve, injuries to the lower spine, and infections.

answered by C B

Cauda equina syndrome treatment and prognosis?

Cauda equina syndrome is a severe condition and may need immediate treatment. Cauda equina syndrome prognosis depends on the cause of the condition. There are a lot of medical treatments that can be used to control the symptoms of your condition. You can consume some anti-inflammatory agents to relieve the pressure on your nerves. Corticosteroids are usually used for such treatments.

As mentioned earlier, treatment for cauda equina syndrome may be dependent on the cause of the condition. In people suffering from spondylitis, the anti-inflammatory medications may be able to treat the condition completely. In case there are spinal tumors, you may need to have radiation therapy and chemotherapy to treat these. The medical management of this condition may also include surgical procedures used to remove the damaged neurons and nerves. If there is compression of nerves in the lower back, the condition may be severely debilitating and surgery may be required to correct this. The nerves may be compressed due to injury or trauma to the lower back or repetitive use of these nerves. The compression of nerves may also be caused due to a tumor. If you have an infection that may be causing the condition, the doctor would take some tests and recommend medications accordingly.

answered by G M

Cauda equina syndrome and pregnancy?

Cauda equina syndrome is a rare disorder that affects the nerves in the lower back of the spine. A lot of women experience severe lower back pain during pregnancy, and it is often associated with the cauda equina syndrome. Severe back pain is usually reported in more than 50% of pregnant women. Women often undergo functional changes, and the posture change may cause structural changes in the lower back area, causing pressure on the cauda equina nerve. Cauda equina and pregnancy are usually related and as the increasing weight as well as the size of the uterus may cause increasing pressure on the nerves, therefore intensifying the condition. If you have severe pain in your lower back during your pregnancy, the condition may be due to sciatica or cauda equina syndrome.

Pregnant women are more prone to developing this condition because the walls of the anterior abdomen may stretch because of the ingrowing uterus. This puts pressure on the lumbar spine, causing many different kinds of pains and disorders associated with a misaligned spine. It is important to discuss your condition with the doctor to find out treatment methods. The exact incidence of the condition in pregnant women is not known because the condition is often misdiagnosed. Some of the other symptoms along with lower back pain and bladder problems may help the doctor determine the exact nature of the condition.

answered by S S