Etiological Co-Factors

Oropharyngeal dysphagia

Aug 12, 2024

—

by

sug_97

in Acquired Chiari Malformation, Atlantoaxial Instability, Cerebellar Ptosis, Comorbidities, Craniocervical Instability, Dysautonomia, Intracranial Hypertension, Syringomyelia, Tethered Cord Syndrome

Oropharyngeal dysphagia = when your upper esophageal sphincter, pharynx, larynx, and/or tongue fail to coordinate properly when trying to swallow. Can occur when one or more of the following nerves is damaged or compressed: facial nerve (CN VII), glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), vagus nerve (CN X), and hypoglossal nerve (CN XII). Now that you know…
The Important Questions to Ask Your Neurosurgeon [Revised]

Sep 16, 2023

—

by

sug_97

in Acquired Chiari Malformation, Advocacy Resources, Atlantoaxial Instability, Comorbidities, Craniocervical Instability, Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, Empty Sella Syndrome, General Information, Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue, Hydrocephalus, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, Intracranial Hypertension, Intracranial Hypotension, Tethered Cord Syndrome

Most Chiarians go to see a surgeon with an expectation of them being knowledgeable in their field. However, while they might be a neurosurgeon, their knowledge of Chiari and its comorbid/pathological conditions might not rank high in their practice. Make the most of your initial appointment by interviewing them and what they really know about…
Understanding Your Head and Neck Pain

Dec 28, 2022

—

by

sug_97

in Atlantoaxial Instability, Cerebellar Ptosis, Comorbidities, Craniocervical Instability, Degenerative Disc Disease, Dysautonomia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, Etiological Co-Factors, Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue, Intracranial Hypertension, Intracranial Hypotension

You Might Have More Than A Migraine If… High-Pressure Headaches Those that suffer from high pressure tend to feel pressure behind the eyes (often mistaken for sinus headaches) and report feeling like their “head is going to explode” from the pressure. High-pressure headaches are generally characterized by being worse when laying down – often awaking…
Overview: Chiari Comorbidities & Etiological/Pathological Cofactors

Dec 10, 2020

—

by

sug_97

in Acquired Chiari Malformation, Atlantoaxial Instability, Comorbidities, Craniocervical Instability, Degenerative Disc Disease, Dysautonomia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, Etiological Co-Factors, General Information, Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue, Intracranial Hypertension, Intracranial Hypotension, Syringomyelia, Tethered Cord Syndrome

When you start to educate yourself on a condition like Chiari, your vocabulary will be challenged. Most of us study with a medical journal article opened in one tab and medical dictionary in the next. Amongst all the medical terminology you will tackle, there are probably a few terms as important to your understanding of…
The Emmalyn Freeze Story – A Chiari Warrior’s Journey (Updated)

Jul 30, 2020

—

by

sug_97

in A Chiari Warrior’s Journey, Acquired Chiari Malformation, Atlantoaxial Instability, Craniocervical Instability, Dysautonomia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue, Intracranial Hypertension, Intracranial Hypotension, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Syringomyelia, Testimonials, Tethered Cord Syndrome

Colton had just finished his Chiari Decompression. He was headache free and doing great! His neurosurgeon came to me and said, “This is a genetic disorder and Emmalyn should be checked.” Two weeks later I took Emmalyn into the Chicago area to be sedated for her first MRI of the brain and spine. Three hours…
Brain Under Pressure – A Guide to Understanding Intracranial Hypertension [Updated]

Dec 8, 2019

—

by

sug_97

in Empty Sella Syndrome, Hydrocephalus, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, Intracranial Hypertension, Intracranial Hypotension

Left untreated, this high pressure creates a “pushing effect” towards the only natural escape at the base of the skull (the foramen magnum) and the cerebellar tonsils in the pathway are pushed through the foramen magnum.
Spine Pulled Tight – A Guide to Understanding Tethered Cord Syndrome

Dec 6, 2019

—

by

sug_97

in Comorbidities, Dysautonomia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, Syringomyelia, Tethered Cord Syndrome

TETHERED CORD SYNDROME (TCS) INVOLVES A STRETCHING OF THE SPINAL CORD, AND OFTEN YOUR MEDULLA OBLONGATA AS WELL, WHICH LEADS TO A HOST OF NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS. Before we talk about Tethered Cord Syndrome, let’s first talk about the anatomy associated with the spinal column (in layman’s terms). • The role of the vertebral column…
Overview: Chiari Comorbidities & Etiological/Pathological Cofactors [Revised]

Nov 16, 2019

—

by

sug_97

in Acquired Chiari Malformation, Atlantoaxial Instability, Comorbidities, Craniocervical Instability, Degenerative Disc Disease, Dysautonomia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, Etiological Co-Factors, General Information, Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue, Intracranial Hypertension, Intracranial Hypotension, Syringomyelia, Tethered Cord Syndrome

When you start to educate yourself on a condition like Chiari, your vocabulary will be challenged. Most of us study with a medical journal article opened in one tab and medical dictionary in the next. Amongst all the medical terminology you will tackle, there are probably a few terms as important to your understanding of…
A Mother’s Story

Jun 11, 2019

—

by

sug_97

in Acquired Chiari Malformation, Atlantoaxial Instability, Comorbidities, Craniocervical Instability, Dysautonomia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, Etiological Co-Factors, Expressive Writings, Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue, Inspirational, Syringomyelia

Today is 11th April, 2019. Spring is in the air, yet I struggle to appreciate its presence. My daughters are at school, my son is at home in bed yet again. Like so many other days he is unable to get up. My son is 19 years old and looks just like any other 19…
Brain Under Pressure – Understanding Intracranial Hypertension [Archived]

Oct 26, 2018

—

by

sug_97

in Comorbidities, Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, Empty Sella Syndrome, Etiological Co-Factors, Hydrocephalus, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, Intracranial Hypertension

INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION (IH) AND IDIOPATHIC INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION (IIH) ARE CONNECTED, BUT ARE NOT THE SAME THING AND THEREFORE SHOULD NOT BE USED INTERCHANGEABLY. Intracranial Hypertension (IH) means high pressure inside the skull. Intracranial Pressure (ICP) is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). Most scholars agree that on average, “normal pressure” should be between 5-15 mmHg…