Acute flaccid myelitis
Acute Flaccid Myelitis
Acute flaccid myelitis (pronounced: a-kyoot flas-id my-uh-li-tis), often abbreviated as AFM, is a rare but serious neurological condition. It affects the nervous system, specifically the area of the spinal cord called gray matter, causing muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak.
Etymology
The term "acute flaccid myelitis" is derived from the following medical terms: "acute" (meaning sudden or severe), "flaccid" (meaning soft or lacking firmness), and "myelitis" (meaning inflammation of the spinal cord).
Symptoms
The most common symptoms include sudden arm or leg weakness and loss of muscle tone and reflexes. Some people may also experience difficulty moving their eyes or drooping eyelids, facial droop or weakness, difficulty swallowing, or slurred speech. In severe cases, patients might have respiratory failure due to muscle weakness.
Causes
AFM is often caused by viruses, such as enterovirus, West Nile virus, and adenovirus. However, environmental toxins and genetic disorders may also contribute to the development of AFM.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of AFM involves a physical examination, and tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), lumbar puncture, and nerve conduction studies.
Treatment
There is no specific treatment for AFM, but a neurologist may recommend certain interventions on a case-by-case basis. Physical and occupational therapy can help with arm or leg weakness caused by AFM.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Acute flaccid myelitis
- Wikipedia's article - Acute flaccid myelitis
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