Types Of Demyelination

Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis happens when the body's immune system reacts to viral or bacterial infections by attacking its own healthy tissues. This condition is a widespread episode of inflammation that causes mass damage to the myelin sheaths of the nerve cells in the spinal cord and the brain. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis can also strip sheathing off of the nerve that attaches the eyes to the brain, or the optic nerve. Another very uncommon cause of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is an immune system reaction resulting from a vaccine. This condition has a rapid onset of symptoms, including coordination difficulties, confusion, headache, fever, issues with eyesight, nausea, vomiting, and irritation. The quicker acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is diagnosed, the quicker doctors can utilize anti-inflammatory medications to minimize the damage done to the myelin sheaths on the nerve cells of the spinal cord and brain. Symptoms are also treated to help with comfort. In rare instances, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis can be a fatal condition when it is not treated. Individuals with this condition typically have a three to six month recovery time.

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