The central nervous system (CNS), which includes the spinal cord and brain, as well as the nerves in the eyes, are both impacted by the autoimmune disease known as neuromyelitis optica. In neuromyelitis optica, the autoimmune onslaught damages the nerves and results in inflammation, which causes the disease’s signs and symptoms. Optic neuritis, an inflammation of the optic nerve that transmits information from the eye to the brain, is a hallmark of neuromyelitis optica. One or both eyes may experience eye pain and visual loss as a result of optic neuritis.

Introduction:

The central nervous system is affected by the rare but serious autoimmune demyelinating inflammatory condition known as Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO), sometimes referred to as Devic’s disease. It mostly harms the myelin, which serves as a barrier around the nerves to protect them. Neuromyelitis optica predominantly affects the spinal cord and the optic nerves, which transmit signals from the eyes to the brain. The result of the disorder can be blindness or paralysis. The majority of neuromyelitis optica diagnoses occur in youngsters.

Men can also be affected by it, but young women tend to experience it more frequently. Experts initially believed that neuromyelitis optica was a kind of multiple sclerosis. Now, they think it’s a different disease. Even though the symptoms of the two conditions are similar, neuromyelitis optica is typically more severe. While neuromyelitis optica can affect both eyes simultaneously, multiple sclerosis vision problems normally only affect one eye at a time.

Causes:

More than 90% of neuromyelitis optica patients say they do not have any relatives who have the condition, whereas only about 3% say they do. A personal or familial history of autoimmunity, which is present in 50% of patients, is strongly associated with the condition. Although the specific etiology of the autoimmunity is uncertain, neuromyelitis optica is considered an autoimmune illness. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s defenses against infection or foreign invaders (like germs) suddenly begin targeting healthy tissue.

These defenses target proteins in the nervous system, particularly aquaporin-4, for completely unknown reasons. Antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG) are being found in some NMOSD patients, particularly those with the non-relapsing type. Patients with MOG seropositivity differ from those with AQP4-IgG antibodies in a few ways: they do not exhibit a particularly pronounced preference for females; their attacks are milder, and they recover more quickly; optic neuritis tends to be associated with more optic nerve head swelling and affects the anterior optic nerve, whereas myelitis has a slightly stronger preference for the caudal spinal cord.

Signs and Symptoms:

Optic neuritis or myelitis is the defining sign; either one may appear as the initial symptom. Optic neuritis, a swelling of the optic nerve, results in eye pain and a loss of vision sharpness shortly after. Typically, only one eye is impacted (unilateral), however, bilateral involvement can also occur at the same time. Neuromyelitis optica can or cannot precede a prodromal upper respiratory disease. The other cardinal disorder is inflammation of the cervical spine, or transverse myelitis, which affects some, and frequently all, of the motor, sensory, and autonomic (bladder and bowel) functions below a certain level in the body.

In the majority of cases of neuromyelitis optica, high-dosage corticosteroid therapy improves the early symptoms of paralysis or visual loss, and partial recovery of bladder, motor, or sensory function takes place. NMOSD, however, frequently results in serious, long-lasting impairments of vision and/or spinal cord function that impede mobility or induce blindness.

Diagnosis:

The patient’s intelligence, eyesight, strength, expression, and reflexes will all be evaluated by the doctor. They might wish to sample the spinal fluid and blood. Over 70% of people with neuromyelitis optica have proteins or antibodies in their blood. The spine may also be checked by the doctor to see if it is inflamed. One method for doing this is a test known as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses a large magnet and a computer to produce an image of the spinal cord. In order to screen for optic nerve injury, the patient may also need to see an ophthalmologist and undergo an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan.

Homeopathic Treatment:

Worldwide application of homeopathy as an organization that is rapidly expanding. Its power comes from its obvious efficacy in treating neuromyelitis optica patients holistically by encouraging internal harmony on the mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical levels. For NMO, there are numerous potent homeopathic medications available. However, the choice is based on the patient’s uniqueness, taking into account both physical and mental problems. When treating neuromyelitis optica, the following homeopathic cures come to mind:

• Zinc Metal
• Nitric Acid
• Silica
• Lathyrus
• Gelsemium

The recommended course of treatment for acute attacks is high-dose injectable corticosteroids, usually methylprednisolone. Patients who undergo acute, serious attacks that do not respond to intravenous corticosteroids may benefit from plasma exchange. During this operation, blood is drawn, and the plasma and blood cells are mechanically separated. The body is subsequently given back the blood cells, which have been combined with a replacement solution.

Precautions:

Eating a balanced diet is crucial for promoting overall health if you have neuromyelitis optica. You can create a healthy eating plan that is sustainable for you with the aid of a qualified dietician. A diet for neuromyelitis optica includes:

• Consuming a variety of veggies, whole grains, fruits, and lean proteins while avoiding meat that has been processed, pastries, and other sugary meals that are rich in fats that are saturated or sugar.
• Minimizing or restricting the consumption of caffeine and alcohol and drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water or other beverages without sugar every day