Tag: Spinal cord

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Why Do Parts of Our Body ‘Fall Asleep’?

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The weird “separate” sensations we experience when a particular limb “falls asleep” are the result of nerves under pressure.

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For example, if an arm has fallen asleep, it is most likely that the person had slept on the arm. The sleeping position squeezed and exerted pressure on the nerves, which were as a result unable to carry messages to the brain as well as other parts of the body. And if the position also squeezed the blood vessels, it would mean that oxygen carried by them did not reach the nerves.

When one removes the pressure on the nerves and on the blood vessels, in this case by a change in the position, the nerve fibres awaken in order of their thickness and of the thickness of their myelin sheaths (protective covering). Hence, the thickest and most protected ones awaken last. This gradual awakening process causes the different sensations we experience as the affected body part returns to normalcy.

The first sensation we experience is a tingling sensation, followed by a burning sensation, as the fibres that control pain and temperature now function and are again able to transmit these messages to the brain. Not until later, does the numbness we feel disappear, simply because the fibres that control touch and position are thicker fibres with thicker myelin sheaths.

Similar fibres, known as motor neurons, travel in the same nerves, but take direct orders from the brain to the spinal cord to the muscles, and awaken shortly after those controlling touch and position. For this reason, after the numbness disappears, we regain our ability to move the affected body part, and life is finally back to normal.

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

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Ailmemts & Remedies

Stiff Neck

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The causes and symptoms of stiff neck are various, let me jot down some of them and their links which might help to learn more about it.

1. Whiplas-—Whiplash is when the soft tissues of the neck are injured by a sudden jerking or “whipping” of the head.

Symptoms:Depressed mood ,neck Pain ,Dizziness and Fatigue

2. Sprains and Strains: Definition Sprain refers to damage or tearing of ligaments or a joint capsule.

Symptoms:Irritability ,Knee joint – tender ,Back pain and Bruises.

3.Torticollis :It is sa twisted neck, referring to the head being tipped to one side, while the chin is turned.

Symptoms:Neck lump ,neck Pain ,Headache and Facial asymmetry.

4. Meningitis : Meningitis is an infection¿that causes inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Non-…
This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Symptoms:Drowsiness, neck Pain ,Bulging fontanelle and Disorientation .

5.Tetanus :Tetanus is a disease caused by the toxin of the bacterium Clostridium tetani that affects the central nervous system.

Symptoms:Abdominal pain ,Fecal incontinence ,Abdominal cramp and Stops breathing.

6.Cervical spondylosis :Cervical spondylosis is a disorder caused by abnormal wear on the cartilage and bones of the neck

Symptoms:Numbness of skin , Incomplete emptying of bladder, Finger numbness and Pain .

7. Encephalitis :Encephalitis is an inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the brain, usually caused by infections.
This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Symptoms: Chorea ,Flat affect ,Indifferent mood and Impaired judgement

8.Subarachnoid hemorrhage: Subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding¿between the middle membrane covering of the brain and the brain itself. S…
This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Symptoms: Hemianopsia ,Pain ,Alteration in consciousness and Blindness .

9. Head injury :A head injury is any trauma that leads to injury of the scalp, skull, or brain. These injuries can range from…
This condition is considered a medical emergency. Urgent care may be required.

Symptoms: Communication disorders ,Personality change ,Oversensitive hearing and Bleeding eye .

10. Lyme disease: Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease characterized by a skin rash, joint inflammation, and flu-like sympto…

Symptoms:Visual problems ,Lethargy ,Low grade fever and Arm pain
11. Tuberculosis: Definition Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially fatal contagious disease that can affect almost any part of the…

Symptoms:Loss of appetite ,Abdominal pain ,Drowsiness and Coughing up yellow sputum .

12.Mononucleos: Mononucleosis is a viral infection causing fevers, sore throat, and swollen lymph glands, especially in the neck..

Symptoms: Loss of appetite ,Abdominal pain ,Abnormal heart rhythms and Pale stools .

13.Histoplasmosis: Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, which primarily affects the lungs but .

Symptoms: Malaise ,Joint pain ,Headache and Pain.

14. West Nile virus: West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitos and causes an illness that ranges from mild to severe. Mild, flu-…

Symptoms: Diarrhea ,Stuporous ,Confusion and Swollen lymph nodes .

Ayurvedic treatment of stiff neck

Natural & Herbal treatment of Stiff neck

Self-help for stiff neck and shoulders

Home Remedies for Stiff Neck

4 home remedy submissions for Stiff Neck

Stiff Neck Homeopathy Remedy

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.
Resources:http://www.healthline.com/symptomsearch?&state=stiff%20neck&pagenum=2

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Yoga

Pashchimottanasana(full) (Yoga Exercise)

The front side of the body is called east side, while the back side is called the west side. In this Asana complete back side, i.e., the west side, right from the heels to the forehead, gets stretched and therefore, it is called ‘Pashchimottanasana’.

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!st. Position: Sitting Position.
How to do the exercise: Only inhale.
Exhale, and hold the big toes of both the feet with both the hands.
In exhaled state bend downward and rest the forehead on the knees. Continue smooth breathing. (as shown in the pictures)

Position: After bending down, keep the heels, calves, thighs completely touching to the floor, keeping the spine straight, rest the forehead on the knees and continue smooth breathing. Try to rest the elbows on the floor.
Since here the abdomen gets completely folded, it becomes necessary to bend only after complete exhalation.
One should bend downward as much as one’s body permits and then try to stabilize at that point, keeping the breathing smooth. Do not try to raise the knees in order to get the forehead on to the knees.
After taking the position, relax the whole body and automatically the head, shoulder, chest will come down owing to their weight and relaxation.

Releasing: Exhale, and inhaling, start raising the head.
Restore the hands to their place and take up the sitting position.

Duration: One finds it difficult to take up this Asana initially. But with practice and patience it can be maintained for thirty seconds. Later one certainly succeeds in having the final position and the duration is also increased to three minutes.
Benefits: This exercise, if done properly and regularly , will give various benefefits. As the whole of the west side gets stretched, they get purified and their functioning is greatly improved. At the same time, the muscles of the front side get contracted and there is pressure on the lungs, intestines and other internal juice producing glands. As a result of this their functioning is also improved.
It is very useful in setting right the troubles concerning the lumber part of the spinal cord and the digestive system.
Further, there is very sensitive part in our body known as Kundalini lying in dormant stage. This Asana is supposed to activate it.

Precaution : It has been said that this Asana is useful for the troubles of the spine. Yet ,people suffering from such troubles should practice this Asana only after consulting some Yoga experts.

Reference Book:– Yoga Pravesh

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Yoga

Vakrasana -2(Yoga Exercise)

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This Asana (Yoga Exercise) is designed to twist the spine to the right and left side in from its erect position. The spine is made up of highly elastic joints and can be moved to any direction.
Pre position: Sitting Position.

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How to do the Exercise:

1. Bend the left leg in the knee and place its heel near the thigh. Keep the sole of the left foot flat on the floor and the thigh and knee touching to the chest.
2. Place the left hand in front of the right hand in such a way that the fingers of both the palms face each other and the palms remain flat on the floor.
3. Now turn the neck and the trunk to the right, twisting the spine and look back above the shoulder. Continue smooth breathing.

Position:

1. In this Asana the spine is to be kept straight.
2. The lower end of the spine and both the hips be placed well on the floor and stabilize them.
3. Then with the support of the neck and shoulders twist the upper vertebrae to the right. At the same time, the standing knee be kept close to the chest.
4. Alongwith the neck, the sight should also be turned to the right side and stabilize it in that direction.

Releasing:

1. Turn the neck to the front.
2. Restore the hand to its place.
3. Straighten the left leg and take the sitting position.

Note: Following the above mentioned process, practice this Asana placing the right leg in folding position.
Duration: This Asana should be retained for minimum two minutes on each side. With more practice this duration can be increased to six minutes.

Benefits: The elasticity of the spine increases as it gets twisted in its erect position. Along with the spine the belly and other internal organs also get twisted and receive the desired strain. It also has very good effect on the spinal cord and its functioning is improved.It improves digestive system too.

Precaution : One should avoid the temptation of attaining the ideal position if strain is unbearable.

Reference Book:- Yoga Pravesh

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Ailmemts & Remedies

Cervical Spondylosis

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Spondylosis is spinal degeneration and deformity of a joint(s) of two or more vertebrae that commonly occurs with aging. Often there is herniation of the nucleus pulposus of one or more intervertebral discs and/or formation of osteophytes.

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When the space between two adjacent vertebrae narrows, compression of a nerve root emerging from the spinal cord may result in sensory system and motor system disturbances, such as severe pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, back, and/or leg, accompanied by muscular weakness. Less commonly, direct pressure on the spinal cord may result in global weakness, gait dysfunction, loss of balance, and loss of bowel and/or bladder control. If vertebrae of the neck are involved it is labeled Cervical Spondylosis. Lower back spondylosis is labeled Lumbar Spondylosis.

A specific form of arthritis, which attacks vertebrae and connecting bony, and ligament structures, is known as Spondylosis. Frequently it occurs in the cervical vertebrae. The spines of majority of people above the age of 50 have certain degree of osteo arthritic changes. But they seldom cause acute symptoms. Certain precipitating factors like trauma, incorrect posture of the body, pressure while sleeping and excessive intake of sour food usually precipitate these attacks.
SYMPTOMS:
Pain in the back of neck, shoulder and arms, stiffness of the neck and even paraplegia occur due to this condition. The movement of the spine generally aggravates the pain of the neck. It is often associated with loss of memory and sleeplessness.

TREATMENT:
Neck pain can be relieved by wearing a hard collar around the neck which keeps the affected vertebrae slightly apart, and hence the pressure on the nerves is released. However, the use of a collar is not usually recommended as it can weaken the muscles supporting the vertebrae and hence exacerbate the problem in the long term.

Physiotherapy: Where the neck is exercised, is now generally used as the preferred treatment.

Chiropractic treatment: In mild cases of the disease is not the preferred method of treatment by conventional medicine.

Acupuncture: While often effective when neuropathy results from muscle dysfunction or inflammation, symptoms resulting from bony deformities are unlikely to get better.

Injections of the spinal joints can be useful for relief of acute pain for otherwise intractable discomfort. Naturally, any spine injection should be performed by a physician with training in spine injection techniques. These injections should be done with xray assistance (flouroscopy) to ensure accuracy.

Evidentiary support for mobility (physiotherapy) or manipulative (chiropractic) therapies has shown an observed improvement in perceived pain and immobility in mechanical neck disorders. However such therapies are not supported as being of greater use in relieving pain and inflammation than conventional medicine and neither was identified as being superior to the other.

Surgery:
There are many different surgical procedures to correct spinal deformity. The vertebra can be approached by the surgeon from the front, side, or rear. Portions of a disc may be removed. To prevent further dislocation, fusion of two vertebrae may be done by taking pieces of bone from the patient’s hip and inserting them between the two vertebrae which are fused together and secured by screws.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT:
Any external massage is not of much use. Violent massage with deep pressure is very harmful for the patient. Only gentle massage over the muscles of the neck and shoulder joints should be applied and for this purpose Mahanarayan taila is best suited. This gentle massage can be given 2-3 times a day .In winter season; this medicated oil should be gently warmed before application.

Guggulu, gum resin extracted from the plant is the best medicine for the treatment of this condition. Ayurvedic physicians for the treatment of this condition popularly use a compound preparation named as simhanada guggulu. It is given in a dose of 2-4 tablets, 4 times a day. Usually hot water or hot milk id given to the patient after the administration of this medicines. This medicine has slightly laxative effects. For the patient to recover from this ailment, it is necessary that this bowel should move clearly and regularly. This medicine is very much helpful for this purpose. For patients having clear motions, this medicines should be given in a dose of 2 tablets and constipated patients the dose should be 4 tablets. If the constipation is not relieved even by taking 4 tablets the dose can be further increased to 6 tablets.

At night some medicines should be given to the patients, which will act as a purgative. Triphala powder is the best medicine for this purpose. One teaspoonful of triphala should be given to the patient, mixed with a cup of warm milk and one spoon of sugar. In the motions become regular by the intake of simbanada guggulu, then triphala powder should be given only twice a week otherwise it can be given every day.

Hot fomentation on the vertebrae of the neck is very useful for this condition. In a big handkerchief about 500gms of salt should be kept over a frying pan till it becomes tolerably hot. Then this should be applied over the neck. Care should be taken to see that it not too hot. In that case, it may cause burns. Sometime patients suffering from cervical Spondylosis develop some anesthetic patches in the back, neck, shoulders and arms because of the pressure from nervous systems .the patient is therefore not able to feel the quantum of heat applied during fomentation. It should therefore be the responsibility of the attendant to examine the heat of the bolus before applying it it on the affected parts. This fomentation should be continued about ½ an hour every day .After fomentation the affected part should not be exposed to cold wind. In winter season therefore immediately after fomentation, the affected part should be covered with some woolen garment. In other seasons also the affected part should be kept covered with some cotton garments after fomentation. It is very convenient to take the fomentation before bedtime. After the fomentation the patient should go to sleep so that he does not run the risk of exposure.

DIET : Sour things particularly curd, are strictly prohibited. Fried things, pulses and various preparations of pulses are also contra- indicated in this condition. Bitter vegetables like bitter variety of drumstick, neem flowers and bitter gourd are very useful. Wheat is better than rice for the patient. He should however, avoid taking refined wheat which is known as maida (flour) and suji (semolina). To some extent they are constipated and do not help the patient in the recovery.

LIFESTYLE: Exposure to cold ,cold bath and any violent exercise of the neck muscles, including pressure, are very bad for the patients. Under the impression that this pain is being caused by some defects in the muscles, people undertake different types of neck exercises .While reading and writing ,one should maintain a comfortable posture. Morning walk gives some relief to the patient, but if it is cold outside the patient should always use a woolen scarf around his neck while going out of the house.

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

Help taken from:en.wikipedia.org and Allayurveda.com

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