does anyone know anything about Horners Syndrome?
822191
Horner’s syndrome consists of five signs:\n\nConstricted Pupil\n  \nElevation of the Third Eyelid\n  \nRetraction of the eyeball into the head\n  \nSlight drooping of the Eyelid\n  \nIncreased pink color and warmth of the ear and nose on the affected side (very hard to detect in small animals) \nAll these signs are caused by damage to sympathetic nervous system as it supplies the eye on the affected side of the head.\n\nWHAT IS THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM?\n\nOur bodies have numerous functions that are controlled by our nervous systems yet we are completely unaware of them.  Our heart and respiratory rates, the amount of sweat and other secretions we produce, circulation to different body areas, pupil dilation and constriction are all regulated by our nervous systems automatically and without our knowledge or control.  The part of our nervous system dedicated to these automatic systems is called the “Autonomic nervous system.”\n\nThe autonomic nervous system is divided into the “sympathetic nervous system” and the “parasympathetic nervous system.” The parasympathetic system maintains a status quo, normal, “business as usual” state; the sympathetic system prepares the body for a “fight or flight” situation.  Some changes that might be stimulated by the sympathetic system include: increased sweating, dilated pupils, increased heart rate, and increased blood flow to muscles. Both systems coexist in balance in the healthy body.\n\nWhen the sympathetic system controlling one of the eyes is damaged, only the parasympathetic nerves work and Horner’s syndrome is created.\n\nHOW CAN THE SYMPATHETIC DAMAGE OCCUR?\n\nThe nerve carrying the tiny nerve fibers that provide sympathetic control to the eye have a long path and the damage may have occurred anywhere along this path.\n\nThe nerves originate in the spinal cord in the patient’s neck.  They exit the spinal cord just inside the chest and travel up the neck to the head. These nerves then connect to new nerves just below the ear. The new nerves continue their journey to the eye.  The damage can occur in the neck area, the ear area or the eye area. Damage can occur in the form of trauma, tumor involvement, infarction (abnormal blood clot), middle ear infection, or diseases of the eye itself.\n\nSORTING IT OUT\nLocalizing which area of the sympathetic nerve system is affected goes a long way in determining the nature of the damage as different areas of the system are prone to different types of injury.  Special eye drops can be used to stimulate different areas of the nervous system and determine if the lesion is in the first nerve segment or in the second nerve segment.  Most are in the second nerve segment. \n\nWith second nerve segment involvement: If ear infection is not obvious and disease of the eye beyond the Horner’s syndrome itself is not obvious, then it is probably prudent to allow the syndrome to resolve on its own. This usually occurs within 6-8 weeks. Further diagnostics may be undertaken if new developments occur or if the syndrome persists beyond this time.\n\nWith first nerve segment involvement: Involvement of the first nerve segment indicates a problem in the chest or spinal cord and is more significant. Chest radiographs should be taken to rule out cancer spread to the chest (the only sign of this may be the Horner’s syndrome). The front leg should be carefully checked for evidence of function loss as a tumor or protruding intervertebral disc could be exerting pressure on the spinal cord.  Trauma to the neck as with a strong jerk from a collar or straining against a leash can also produce Horner's syndrome from this section of the nerve. Generally more diagnostic work is needed for cases involving the first nerve segment as there is potential for more serious underlying causes.  If the syndrome stemmed from pulling on the leash, it should resolve uneventfully depending on how badly damaged the nerve is.\n\nTREATMENT\n\nIt is not ne
897071
I'm really sorry to hear that - labyrinthitus is a horrid thing to have.  It's almost impossible to explain how miserable it is to someone unless they've had something similar.\n\nI had labyrinthitus for a year, with vertigo episodes for over two years.  It was triggered by a viral infection, so antibotics were useless - I had to wait it out, which was a complete nightmare.\n\nDuring that time, I learnt a few tricks to cope with it, which I hope you'll find useful.\n\n- If you are in the acute phase of the illness, accept the anti-nausea medication from the doctor.  I found Scopolamine particularly effective, although it did make me incredibly drowsy.  \n- Crystallised ginger really helped with the nausea and is a good way of getting over the sickness with taking strong medication.\n- Take your time getting out of bed in the morning.  The sudden change from lying down to standing can make you feel incredibly ill.  The same is true of getting up suddenly from sitting.\n- Try avoiding watching the television.  I found sudden camera movements and focus changes triggered severe dizzy spells.\n- Even if you feel OK, wait a couple of days to confirm that your labyrinthitus has definately passed before walking up or down stairs upright.  You may get a sudden dizzy spell and take a fall.\n- There are exercises that you can do to accelerate the compensation process following labyrinthitus.  One recommended to me by my ENT consultant was the Brandt-Daroff exercise for vertigo.  It had an amazing effect on my symptoms and I would strongly recommend it although beware that it is actually quite hard to force yourself to do it at the start.  The secret is to build the number of repetitions up slowly and listen to your body, but it can significantly reduce the length of your labyrinthitus attack.  A good website for a description of how to do the Brandt-Daroff exercises is below.
691203
Hello-Have your friend visit an Ear,Nose and Throat doctor.  Sounds like she may have a condition called BPPN.  That stands for Benign Proxysmal Positional Nystagmus,  basically, vertigo.  Anyway, an ENT may have some exercises she can do to relieve some of the symptoms.  Hope that helps.
312635
Sounds like an inner ear virus. I had it once. stood up, felt a bit dizzy but though it'd right itself in a few minutes. Got in the car to go pick up my son, turned a corner and fell over into the passenger seat! Luckily I didn't crash but had to pull over and have someone come and get me. I refused to go out in public (happened over my birthday too) because everyone who saw me thought I was drunk. I was sick to my stomach but I suffer from motion sickness too. A doctor can check for it real easy just by waving their finger back and forth in front of their eyes and watching the reaction. \n  My 9 month old son ended up with it too, he was just starting to walk but all of a sudden kept falling down. \n  I have constant vertigo because of it (always a little dizzy) but I've learned to live with it. Hopefully your aunt and cousin will come out of it ok. There's nothing the doctors can do to get rid of it, just treat the symptoms. My doc gave me something to help with the dizziness but I can't recall the name. If you need me to find out, I can try. Good luck to your family.
350857
I was diagnosed with Arnold Chiari Malformation in 1999.  By my own personal choice I have not had the decompression surgery.  I encounter pain daily and the pressure from my cerebral spinal fluid having a blockage problem.  When there is a change in the weather that involves the barometeric pressure I can really feel that. I try not to reach for things over my head or lift heavy things as that brings about symptoms.  Feel free to email me if you want.  xyzfree2002@yahoo.com.
336973
im not sure but ive got a syndrome that has affected my whole life!!! its not contaigeos but i dont want to talk about it
722265
Yes I have...It is a something that runs in my family...I believe it is called Menier's (not sure of the spelling)Disease...It is caused when the water level in the middle ear is disrupted...My father takes anti-vert, although from what he has told me a person can build up immunity to its effects...He does get it very bad at times and he is aware of its onset, so he takes 1/2 of a Valium which reduces the anxiety of knowing that he may be laid up in bed for a week, but it does seem to help him with the symptoms...or...get this...he puts the hair drier to his ear...the gentle air flow seems to help level out the water imbalance...he is 76 years old so he has become quite proficient in his own health care...He was also told about a surgical procedure...but that could possibly leave you deaf...I like the hair drier idea myself...contact your doctor and ask your family members if they have had it...I know my paternal grandmother had it, my father has it, and I get it too...My best preventive is just move more slowly, avoid wild amusement park rides, and when I'm on a boat or a passenger in a  fast moving car, I NEVER look down...only forward...I hope this has helped...
624696
I have it too from a car accident.  So far none of the things I have tried or places I have been sent have worked.  I think we are stuck with it.  One thing I do is put headphones on and listen to music when I fall asleep.  It sort of distracts me from the ringing.
219774
Hello,\n\nAs I am sure you know by now, Bell's palsy affects the VII cranial nerve.  That is the nerve that controls the facial musculature, including eye lids.  So the first question is, do you think you have a normal blinking pattern in the affected eye.  Compare it with the normal eye.  If both eyes are tearing, that is less likely due to Bell's as that is a local and thus one-sided process.  Additionally, the facial nerve carries nerve impulses to the lacrimal or tear glands, so it may be at work here, but again that would usually be a one one sided process. \n\nAs far what to do about the tears...manually blink your eye using the back of your finger at regular intervals, and especially when it feels dry.  If blinking is not a problem, or if the tearing continues, I'd see an ophthalmologist.  Hope that helps.
703509
I'm a neurologist. Horner's syndrome describes a physical finding and not a disease process. It has 3 components: meiosis - which is a small pupil; ptosis - which is drooping of the eyelid; and anhydrosis - which is the absence of sweating.\n\nIt can occur in benign, meaning non-life threatening issues such as cluster headaches where there is transient dysfunction of the parasympatheic nerves\n\nIt can occur in emergeny situations such as dissection of the carotid artery. The nerves travel along that artery and tearing of the artery affects those nerves.\n\nThe most common circumstance is in lung cancer. Many lung cancers start at the apex - the top of the lung - these same parasympathetic nerves travel out from the spinal cord onto the nerves just on top of the lungs leaving them vulnerable to compression by tumor.
661913
Is it hurting in the eye/sinus/forehead area? then it's probably sinus. If it if a one sided pain with tunnel vision, flashing lights, naseau, weakness, it's probably a migraine. If there is a burning muscular pain in the back of the head or the top, it may be vision. Do you have problems seeing things up close/far away/reading etc.? Ofcourse, I'm no MD by any means, and I'm sure that you need a proper medical diagnoses.
118641
Saw it on Sportscenter in my gym.  Touched a nerve -- my son has the same condition, and actually made the basketball team this year, but quit because other kids made him feel like he didn't belong.  He obsessed about it for months.\n\nhere's the story:
5169
Yes, I would advise you to visit a doctor. If nothing else it will give you more information and piece of mind on your condition.
208800
i studied hypotonia in my aspects of molecular medicine class 2 weeks ago - i just found this on the web:\n\nhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003298\n\nI thought hyptonia was a genetic condition, but maybe it will help
48143
"Pinched Nerves" is a lay-persons term.  It lacks a specific meaning.  Do you mean 'nerve entrapment'?  Most importantly, which of your mother's nerves are being 'Pinched'?  Do you know the cause?  If they are spinal nerves are they pinched because of a disc herniation?  Or pinched because of central canal stenosis?  Or lateral canal (IVF) stenosis?  Or is it a muscle or mechanical entrapment like thoracic outlet syndrome or carpal tunnel syndrome?\nI realize the terms I am using probably mean nothing to you.  However, no responsible suggestions can be given to you to help your mother until a more clear understanding of what is really involved with her 'pinch nerves'.\nPlease provide more information.  I will be glad to provide more specific suggestions for finding help.
2077
I get migraines and have actually had a hemmorage in my pituitiary and that kind of headache and a migraine are totally different.  As for having an episode where she lost abilities it sounds like she had some sort of loss that caused a lack of oxygen to the brain which would explain the "visions" of seeing relatives that are already passed.  Lack of oxygen can cause damage to the brain where the affected are can be speech and motor skills that would have to be relearned.  Your mother is in my prayers.  I have son with Cerebral Palsy so motor disorders and delays are well understood by me.  I know the strain it can have on the family members.  God bless!!  \nMegan
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If you can't see your family Dr. until Monday, I'd recommend going to a 24 hour clinic or emergency room.  If the dizziness is so severe that the accompanying nausea has prevented you from getting any hydration or nutrition, you need to get stabilized ASAP.  \n\nIf the dizziness is a spinning sensation (vertigo), it's probably your inner ear- again a number of things can cause it; a viral or bacterial infection of the inner or middle ear, a rupture in an inner ear membrane that leads to Meniere's disease, or loose particles within the inner ear that cause Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Even neurological problems like Migraine headaches and strokes can cause dizziness and balance problems.\n\nBe sure to provide as many details as you can to help pinpoint the cause. Include: when did the symptoms start? Did you have any other symptoms related to the dizziness (headache, ringing or other noises in the ear [tinnitus], pressure or pain in the ear/s, nausea/vomiting, visual changes, etc.)? Did you have any prescription changes in the month preceding the initial onset? Had you been ill in the month preceding the initial onset? How long do the episodes last? During an episode, what does the "dizziness" really feel like? Is there anything that seems to trigger or signal an episode? Is there anything you can do that seems to help you feel better? Does anyone else in your family history have similar symptoms? Have you ever had similar symptoms, or a history of ear problems before?\n\nDizziness and nausea is like a headache or fever -- it's a vague symptom, and getting a detailed case history is really the best way to narrow down options and select diagnostic tests.  But don't wait any longer to get checked out, because the sooner it gets properly diagnosed and treated, the better your chances for a complete recovery.