What Is Ponytail Syndrome?

Ponytail headaches are technically a kind of allodynia. That’s when a normal sensation, like having your hair in a ponytail, causes pain. Ponytail headaches are common , but they are more likely to occur if you already get frequent tension headaches, migraines, or have a chronic pain condition like fibromyalgia.

What are the first signs of cauda equina?

Symptoms and Diagnosis

• Urinary retention: the most common symptom.
• Urinary and/or fecal incontinence.
• “Saddle anethesia” sensory disturbance, which can involve the anus, genitals and buttock region.
• Weakness or paralysis of usually more than one nerve root.
• Pain in the back and/or legs (also known as sciatica).

What is horse tail syndrome?

Cauda equina syndrome is the compression of a collection of nerve roots called the cauda equina. Nerves send and receive electrical signals all across your body. The collection of nerve roots, shaped like a horse’s tail, is located at the bottom of your spinal cord.

Who is at risk for cauda equina syndrome?

General health or life risk factors which might make someone susceptible to the development of cauda equina syndrome are unclear but being older than 30, being overweight or undertaking regular work that might put considerable strain on the back may contribute.

What causes cauda equina syndrome?

Causes. Cauda equina syndrome may be caused by a herniated disk, tumor, infection, fracture, or narrowing of the spinal canal.

How do doctors test for cauda equina?

Your doctor may order x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and computerized tomography (CT) scans to help assess the problem. In this MRI scan, a herniated disk (arrow) is compressing the cauda equina.

Can a blood test detect cauda equina syndrome?

Diagnosing Cauda Equina Syndrome
A physical exam to assess your strength, reflexes, sensation, stability, alignment, and motion. You may also need blood tests. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, which uses magnetic fields and computers to produce three-dimensional images of your spine.

What are the side effects of horse tail?

If the herb has a diuretic effect, it might cause your body to flush out essential nutrients, such as potassium. Horsetail also has an enzyme that destroys thiamine, or vitamin B-1. If taken for a long time, it could raise your risk of thiamine deficiency.

How do you know if your spine is damaged?

Emergency signs and symptoms

1. Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck, head or back.
2. Weakness, incoordination or paralysis in any part of your body.
3. Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes.
4. Loss of bladder or bowel control.
5. Difficulty with balance and walking.

How do you stop a horse tail?

Prevent spread and establishment of horsetails by using only clean soil in your landscape and by checking nursery stock for unwanted plants. Horsetail stems are without functional leaves, so they don’t tolerate much shading. Densely plant areas with horsetail to shade them out and reduce spore germination.

What is the best treatment for cauda equina syndrome?

Cauda equina syndrome is best treated with decompression by a lumbar laminectomy, but a lumbar microdiscectomy may be used given a patient’s unique situation. The patient will likely be kept in the hospital for a few days following the surgery to monitor recovery of motor and sensory function.

Does xray show cauda equina syndrome?

Plain radiography is unlikely to be helpful in cauda equina syndrome but may be performed in cases of traumatic injury or in search of destructive changes, disk-space narrowing, or spondylolysis.

What are red flags for cauda equina?

Red flag symptoms
Bilateral sciatica (pain and altered sensation in the legs) Bladder dysfunction such as having to strain or an altered flow or altered awareness of the need to urinate. Tingling or numbness in the saddle area between the legs and around the anus. Alteration of sexual sensation.

Is walking good for cauda equina syndrome?

Pelvic floor exercises can assist with regaining bladder control and gentle aerobic exercise such as walking can help restore strength in the lower back and legs.

Where is cauda equina start?

The cauda equina is a group of nerves and nerve roots stemming from the distal end of the spinal cord, typically levels L1-L5 and contains axons of nerves that give both motor and sensory innervation to the legs, bladder, anus, and perineum.

What are the symptoms of L5 nerve damage?

A pinched L5 nerve root usually results in radiating pain in the foot. This pain can come in the form of numbness, tingling, weakness and shooting and is commonly felt in the big toe, inside of the foot, top of the foot and ankle. Radiculopathy of the L5 nerve may also cause loss of coordination in the foot and toes.

Does an MRI always show cauda equina syndrome?

Approximately 75% of patients sent for an MRI scan with suspected cauda equina syndrome will have a negative result. In other words, they do not have cauda equina syndrome. In such cases medical practitioners can rule out nerve compression and must consider an alternative diagnosis.

Can cauda equina be treated without surgery?

Except in rare cases of rapid neurologic progression or cauda equina syndrome, nonsurgical modalities should be the initial treatment choice. Activity modification, a variety of medications, epidural steroid injections, and other methods are recommended for pain reduction.

Can you recover from cauda equina syndrome?

In some cases, nerve damage can be permanent, and patients need assistance or adaptive devices for daily living. With prompt follow-up and treatment from experienced New Jersey neurosurgeons, most people with cauda equina syndrome are able to recover significant function in the legs and lower body.

Can stress cause cauda equina?

Often associated with combat stress, the disorder is recognised in Cauda Equina Syndrome patients and can include flashbacks to the events surrounding diagnosis, leading to fear and avoidance of cues that remind the sufferer of the original trauma. These avoidance tactics may result in alcohol or substance abuse.

Is horse tail good for hair?

Because of its silica content, horsetail is also useful when trying to stimulate hair growth. The herb rejuvenates your hair, adding sheen to the appearance and strength to the hair shafts. It also contains selenium and cysteine, which are known to promote healthy hair growth.