Devic disease, also known as Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder, is a chronic brain and spinal cord condition characterized by optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve, and myelitis, an infection of the spinal cord. The condition was once thought to be monophasic, with episodes of inflammation of one or both of the spinal cord’s optic nerves occurring over a brief period of time (days or weeks), and no further occurrences. It is now understood that the majority of individuals who meet the criteria for NMOSD have recurrent attacks that are separated by remission periods.
Introduction:
An inflammatory condition of the brain and spinal cord called Devic disease (Neuromyelitis optica) (NMO), also known as Devic disease, is characterized by episodes of transverse myelitis and optic neuritis. Dr. Eugene Devic, a physician working in Lyon, France, defined the illness in 1894. After then, it was believed that the optic nerve and spinal cord were the only areas of clinical involvement and that the condition may either be monophasic acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) or relapsing classic multiple sclerosis (MS) depending on how it manifested.
However, NMO patients have frequently been recorded with complaints in other cerebral axes. Because it differs from MS in terms of clinical signs, antibodies, radiographic findings, and pathological characteristics, NMO is also currently regarded as a separate entity. Without proper care, the prognosis for NMO has been terrible, since many patients suffered from severe disabilities and many passed away within a few weeks or months.
Causes:
More than 90% of Devic disease patients say they do not have any relatives who have the condition, whereas only about 5% say they do. A personal or familial history of immunity, which is present in 50% of patients, is strongly associated with the condition. Although the specific etiology of the autoimmunity is uncertain, NMOSD is considered an autoimmune illness.
When the body’s natural defenses against illness or outside invaders (like bacteria), for no apparent reason, start attacking healthy tissue, autoimmune illnesses result. These defenses target proteins in the central nervous system, particularly aquaporin-4, for completely unknown reasons. Antigen-specific antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG) are being found in some NMOSD patients, particularly those with the non-relapsing type.
Symptoms:
Optic neuritis or myelitis are the two main symptoms of neuromyelitis optica, and either one might appear as the initial symptom. Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis), which causes eye pain and, shortly after, a loss of visual acuity. Typically, only one eye is affected (unilaterally); however, bilateral involvement can also occur at the same time. An upper respiratory illness that is prodromal may or may not come before neuromyelitis optica.
The additional essential disorder is swelling of the vertebral column, or transverse myelitis, which affects some, and frequently all, of the motor, sensory, and autonomic (bladder and bowel) functions beneath a particular point on the body. Occasionally, however, symptoms may only be present on one side of the body. Affected people may have limb or spine discomfort, mild to severe paralysis of the lower limbs (paraparesis to paraplegia), and trouble with bladder and bowel function. Reflexes in the deep tendon may be overactive, underactive, missing, or exacerbated with time.
Diagnosis:
The identification of distinctive physical characteristics, a thorough clinical evaluation, a full patient history, and a number of specialized tests all contribute to the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica. Blood tests, CSF examinations, spinal taps, and x-ray procedures like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT or CAT) scans are a few examples of these tests. For neuromyelitis optica, the blood test AQP4-IgG is both highly specific and somewhat sensitive.
It has been demonstrated that it recognizes antibodies that are particular to the aquaporin-4 protein found on astrocytes. As this test is commonly positive at the time of the very first symptom, even before a certain clinical diagnosis is possible, it is highly important to request it at the first major suspicion of neuromyelitis optica.
Homeopathic treatment for the disease:
Devic disease (neuromyelitis optica) does not currently have a known cure. Few treatments can both relieve symptoms and stop relapses. Corticosteroid medications stop an illness from getting worse. An immunosuppressive medication will aid in reducing the risk of additional Devic disease (neuromyelitis optica) attacks. Although there is no known treatment for Neuromyelitis Optica, it is possible to prevent further outbreaks, reverse some of the disease’s symptoms, and even achieve long-term remission with good management.
Today, homeopathy is a fast-expanding system that is used throughout the world. Its power comes from its obvious efficacy because it treats the sick person holistically by encouraging internal equilibrium on mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical levels. There are numerous potent remedies accessible in homeopathy, but the choice depends on the patient’s unique characteristics, taking both physical and mental symptoms into account. The following homeopathic medications come to mind when treating neuromyelitis optica:
Silica, Lathyrus, Gelsemium, Zinc Metal, Nitric Acid, etc.
Precautions:
It’s crucial to take your medication as directed, regardless of whether you have a devic’s disease. Medication can lessen the likelihood of future attacks as well as prevent or lessen damage from a present attack. Without first speaking to your doctor, you shouldn’t stop taking these medications. Immunosuppressive drugs reduce your immune system’s capacity to target your neural system.
Unfortunately, it can also make your immune system less effective at fending off infectious diseases like pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), COVID-19, the common cold, and the flu. Wash your hands frequently (either with soap and water or with hand sanitizer that contains alcohol).