How Do You Spell ENCEPHALOMYELITIS?

Pronunciation: [ɛnsˌɛfɐlˌɒmɪɪlˈa͡ɪtɪs] (IPA)

Encephalomyelitis is a medical term used to describe inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. The spelling of this word may seem daunting, but it can be broken down phonetically using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word is pronounced en-sef-uh-loh-my-uh-lahy-tis, with the emphasis on the third syllable. The "en" and "uh" sounds are pronounced as a schwa, the "ph" is pronounced as an "f" sound, and the "my" is pronounced as "mye." Understanding the phonetics behind complicated medical terms can help with spelling and pronunciation.

ENCEPHALOMYELITIS Meaning and Definition

1. Encephalomyelitis is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of both the brain (encephalo-) and the spinal cord (-myelitis). It is often caused by viral infections or autoimmune disorders, although other factors such as bacterial infections, exposure to toxic substances, or as a result of vaccination may also be responsible.

   The inflammation in encephalomyelitis can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including headache, fever, fatigue, muscle weakness or paralysis, difficulty moving or coordinating movements, cognitive impairment, memory loss, and in severe cases, seizures or coma. These symptoms can vary in severity and may progress rapidly or develop gradually over time.

   Encephalomyelitis can be diagnosed through a combination of medical history assessment, physical examination, laboratory tests (such as blood tests or cerebrospinal fluid analysis), and imaging studies (like magnetic resonance imaging - MRI) to evaluate the presence of inflammation in the brain and spinal cord.

   Treatment for encephalomyelitis depends on the underlying cause and mainly focuses on managing the symptoms and reducing inflammation. This may involve antiviral medications, immunosuppressive drugs, pain relievers, corticosteroids, or other supportive measures to alleviate specific symptoms. Rehabilitation therapies, such as physical therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy, can also be beneficial in restoring functioning and quality of life for individuals affected by encephalomyelitis.

   It is important to promptly seek medical attention if encephalomyelitis is suspected, especially as some forms of this condition can be life-threatening if left untreated.

2. inflammation of the brain and spinal cord

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for ENCEPHALOMYELITIS

• encephalomylitis
• Incephalomyelitis
• encepholomyelitis

Etymology of ENCEPHALOMYELITIS

The word "encephalomyelitis" is constructed from the combination of three root words: "encephalo-", "myelo-", and "-itis".

1) "Encephalo-" is derived from the Greek word "enkephalos", which means "brain". It refers to anything related to or resembling the brain.

2) "Myelo-" comes from the Greek word "myelos", which means "marrow". In the context of this word, it refers to the spinal cord.

3) "-itis" is a suffix of Greek origin that indicates inflammation.

Therefore, "encephalomyelitis" is a medical term that describes inflammation of both the brain and the spinal cord.

Similar spelling words for ENCEPHALOMYELITIS

• encephalopathy,
• encephalomeningitis,
• encephalography.

Plural form of ENCEPHALOMYELITIS is ENCEPHALOMYELITISES