subacute combined degeneration…

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central nervous system, subacute combined degeneration, the spinal cord, scd, subacute combined degeneration, the spinal cord, vitamin b-12 deficiency, characterized by weakness, abnormal sensations, mental problems, vision difficulties, subacute combined degeneration, the spinal cord, result of vitamin b-12 deficiency, lack of this vitamin, pernicious anemia, an autoimmune blood disorder that prevents absorption of vitamin b-12, most often, anemia symptoms, the most common symptoms, the disorder, subacute combined degeneration, vitamin b-12 deficiency, rarely be, diet, vegans, who eat no dairy, meat products, most susceptible, most common cause, inability to absorb the vitamin, intestines, subacute combined degeneration primarily affects the spinal cord, brain, nerves, the eye, peripheral, nerves, damage is throughout the body, initially, myelin sheath, covering, the nerve that speeds transmission of nerve impulses, followed by destruction, the axon portion, the cell, eventually, destruction, the entire nerve cell, how lack of vitamin b-12 damages nerves is not clear, thought that lack of this vitamin causes, an abnormal formation of fatty acids, used by the body to build cell membranes, nerve myelin sheath, risks include lack of dietary vitamin b-12, rare, inherited, acquired lack, the factor needed to absorb vitamin b-12, intestines, antibodies to this factor, pernicious anemia, prevents its absorption, disorders, the small intestine, crohn's disease, malabsorptive conditions, occur after gastrointestinal surgery, abnormal sensations, the legs, arms, trunk, tingling, "pins, needles", "shock-like" sensations, numbness, symptoms progressively worsen, symmetrical, on both sides, weakness, the legs, arms, trunk, progressively worsens, symmetrical, unsteady gait, clumsiness, stiff, awkward movements, change in mental state, irritability, apathy, sleepiness, suspiciousness, paranoia, confusion, disorientation, delirium, depression, dementia, intellectual deterioration, vision changes, decreased vision, speech impairment, associated, an examination, shows symmetrical, on both sides, the body) sensorimotor polyneuropathy, muscle weakness, sensation disturbance, reflexes, abnormal, muscles, develop spasticity, loss of awareness of body position, sense of touch, pain, temperature diminished, mental changes, variable, from mild forgetfulness to complete dementia, psychosis, severe dementia is uncommon, the initial symptom, the disorder, an eye examination, indicate damage, optic nerve, optic neuritis, abnormal pupil responses, inflammation, atrophy, the optic nerve, visible on retinal exam, decreased visual acuity, cbc, complete blood count, anemia, folic acid has been, treat anemia, neurologic symptoms, develop anemia is no longer evident, make diagnosis difficult, serum, blood, levels of vitamin b-12, early treatment improves the chances of a good outcome, treated promptly, vitamin b-12 is given, by intramuscular injection, in large doses, injections, given daily, 1 week, weekly, 1 month, monthly, vitamin b-12 injections must continue throughout life, prevent recurrence, response to treatment depends on how long symptoms have been present, treatment, a few weeks, results in complete recovery, symptoms have been present, longer than 1, 2 months, partial recovery, expected, symptoms have been present, many months, progression, of symptoms slowed, recovery of lost function is unlikely, vitamin b-12 injections must be continued, recur, untreated, disorder results in progressive, irreversible damage, nervous system, complications, permanent, progressive loss of nerve functions, abnormal sensations, muscle weakness, symptoms of subacute combined degeneration develop, personal, family history of pernicious anemia, risk factors, early diagnosis, treatment improve the chance of a good outcome, none is known, the disorder prevents recurrence.