Recognition of the toxic causes of myelopathy, including nitrous oxide exposure, heroin, radiation, various chemotherapeutic agents, liver disease, konzo, lathyrism, and zinc excess, is aided by understanding the typical clinical and imaging features associated with these agents.
Folate, copper, and vitamin E deficiency also cause myelopathies. Some myelopathies can result from toxins, such as nitrous oxide or heroin. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment of both primary and metastatic tumors can cause myelopathy.
The specific spinal cord lesion caused by vitamin B12 deficiency is known as subacute combined degeneration (SCD). Neuropathologic studies of SCD show spongiform changes with foci of myelin and axonal destruction mainly in the posterior and lateral columns, but also involving anterior columns in a few advanced cases.
Subacute combined degeneration is characterized by degeneration of the dorsal columns and the lateral columns of the spinal cord due to demyelination. It commonly presents with sensory deficits, paresthesia, weakness, ataxia, and gait disturbance. In severe untreated cases, it can lead to spasticity and paraplegia.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is known to be associated with signs of demyelination, usually in the spinal cord. Lack of vitamin B12 in the maternal diet during pregnancy has been shown to cause severe retardation of myelination in the nervous system.
Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord is most commonly caused by a deficiency in vitamin B12. The primary sources of vitamin B12 are dietary and include meat, eggs, and dairy products.
Some antioxidants that can help dogs with degenerative myelopathy are: Vitamins C, E and A. Carotenoids.
Peripheral neuropathy is the most common presentation of vitamin B12 deficiency. Depending upon the type of nerve involved, it may present as pain, numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, decreased motor activity, or decreased muscle mass.
14 Disorders that often mimic and coexist with DM include degenerative lumbosacral syndrome, intervertebral disc disease, spinal cord neoplasia and degenerative joint diseases such as hip dysplasia or cranial cruciate ligament rupture.
Myelopathies can be caused by viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections, each of them causing distinct classic syndromes including radiculomyelitis, transverse myelitis, acute flaccid paralysis, and compressive lesions.
What causes degenerative myelopathy? Degenerative myelopathy is associated with a genetic abnormality in dogs. The most common form is due to a genetic mutation in a gene coding for superoxide dismutase, a protein responsible for destroying free radicals in the body.
People with vitamin B12 deficiency can have neurological symptoms and/or damage without anemia (lack of red blood cells). General physical symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include: Feeling very tired or weak. Experiencing nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Key points about vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
Without enough red blood cells, your tissues and organs don't get enough oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your body can't work as well. Symptoms include weak muscles, numbness, trouble walking, nausea, weight loss, irritability, fatigue, and increased heart rate.
There are certain foods that also need a cut-down in case of vitamin B12 deficiency. “Some foods and drinks can interfere with vitamin B complex intake like alcohol, caffeine and processed foods, etc should be avoided completely,” Shah added.
Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia is usually treated with injections of vitamin B12, called hydroxocobalamin. At first, you'll have these injections every other day for 2 weeks or until your symptoms have started improving. Your GP or nurse will give the injections.
At high doses, methylcobalamin, the active form of vitamin B12, accelerated nerve regeneration, increased myelination, and improved motor and functional recovery of injured nerves [80, 83].
Stage 1 is decreased levels of vitamin B12 in the blood. Stage 2 is low concentration of vitamin B12 in the cell and metabolic abnormalities. Stage 3 is increased levels of homocysteine and MMA and decreased DNA synthesis resulting in neuropsychiatric symptoms. Stage 4 is macrocytic anemia.
There is no effective treatment for degenerative myelopathy at present. Treatment of other concurrent problems such as arthritis or hip dysplasia may provide some relief from pain or discomfort. It is important to avoid obesity, so diet and exercise (walking and swimming) are vital components of treatment.
Myelopathy is a disorder that results from severe compression of the spinal cord. The only way to treat the compression of the spinal cord is through decompression surgery.
Treatment. There is currently no curative treatment for degenerative myelopathy. Medical management of the clinical signs may be attempted through use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat pain arising from compensations or through use of corticosteroids.
Conclusions: Vitamin B12 deficiency may produce an increased T2-weighted signal, decreased T1-weighted signal, and contrast enhancement of the posterior and lateral columns of the spinal cord, mainly of the cervical and upper thoracic segments.
Spinal cord atrophy is one of the long-term sequelae of MS, particularly in the more disabling forms of the disease, with the cervical cord being most affected. The main cause is thought to be Wallerian degeneration as a result of changes that occur in the brain, rather than tissue loss due to primary cord pathology.
Pernicious anemia is a relatively rare autoimmune disorder that causes diminishment in dietary vitamin B12 (cobalamin) absorption, resulting in B12 deficiency and subsequent megaloblastic anemia.
Apples Aside from being an important inclusion in a list of vitamin B12 fruits, apples are also rich in fibre, antioxidants, and flavonoids. Apples also comprise polyphenols that are found in both the peel and the pulp of the nutrient-dense fruit.