TABES DORSALIS Meaning and
Definition
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Tabes dorsalis is a medical condition characterized by the degeneration of the dorsal columns of the spinal cord, resulting in sensory ataxia and several other neurological symptoms. It is primarily caused by untreated syphilis infection, although it can also develop due to other factors such as trauma, neurosyphilis, or excessively high doses of arsenic.
The disease progresses slowly, typically taking several years to manifest noticeable symptoms. As the spinal cord degenerates, patients commonly experience a loss of coordination and proprioception. This results in an unsteady gait, known as sensory ataxia, where individuals have difficulty walking or maintaining balance. Other common symptoms include shooting pains in the legs, absent knee and ankle reflexes, visceral crises causing severe abdominal pain, and urinary and fecal incontinence.
There is no known cure for tabes dorsalis, as the damage to the spinal cord is irreversible. Treatment primarily aims to manage symptoms and prevent further complications. This typically involves the administration of antibiotics to treat underlying syphilis infection and the use of pain medication to alleviate neuropathic pain. Physical therapy may also be recommended to improve balance and coordination.
Overall, tabes dorsalis is a progressive neurological disorder resulting from the degeneration of the dorsal columns of the spinal cord. While its primary cause is syphilis infection, it can also be triggered by other factors. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent further neurological damage and manage symptoms effectively.
Common Misspellings for TABES DORSALIS
- rabes dorsalis
- fabes dorsalis
- gabes dorsalis
- yabes dorsalis
- 6abes dorsalis
- 5abes dorsalis
- tzbes dorsalis
- tsbes dorsalis
- twbes dorsalis
- tqbes dorsalis
- taves dorsalis
- tanes dorsalis
- tahes dorsalis
- tages dorsalis
- tabws dorsalis
- tabss dorsalis
- tabds dorsalis
- tabrs dorsalis
- tab4s dorsalis
Etymology of TABES DORSALIS
The term "Tabes Dorsalis" has Latin and Greek origins. "Tabes" is a Latin word meaning "wasting" or "decay", and "Dorsalis" is a Latin word meaning "pertaining to the back" or "of the back". It is a composite term that combines these Latin words.
"Tabes Dorsalis" initially referred to a severe form of neurosyphilis, characterized by degeneration of the posterior columns of the spinal cord, resulting in various neurological symptoms. The term was first coined by Sir Richard Bright, an English physician, in the early 19th century.
