Radiculitis of the spinal nerve

　　The causes of radicular neuritis are numerous, and the causes of intramural and extramural radicular neuritis are not the same. Intramural radicular neuritis is often caused by infection, poisoning, nutritional and metabolic disorders, etc.; extramural radicular neuritis is often caused by local cooling, dampness (causing spasm of the vascular supply of the nerve, ischemia, edema), muscle and transverse process trauma and inflammation, etc. The lesions of intramural radicular neuritis are often extensive and mostly bilateral; the lesions of the extramural segment are often localized and mostly unilateral.

　　When the sacral nerve root is severely damaged, there may also be urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction. To keep the respiratory tract unobstructed and prevent pulmonary infection, patients should be turned and changed positions regularly, assisted in expectoration, and tracheotomy may be performed if necessary, such as in cases of incomplete respiratory function. Auxiliary respiration can be considered to avoid the risk of respiratory failure threatening the patient's life. Pay attention to keeping warm and, if necessary, antibiotics should be administered. If there is a need for limb mobility, active prevention of bedsores should be taken, mainly by avoiding local pressure, promoting local blood circulation, and strengthening wound treatment.

　　The onset of cervical-thoracic radicular neuritis is mostly acute and subacute, often manifested as pain, numbness, and weakness in one or both shoulder and arm regions, with pain often radiating along the distal lateral or medial side of the upper limb, exacerbating during coughing, straining, and defecation. These symptoms are often more pronounced after exposure to cold or fatigue, and they are alleviated after warmth and rest. Examination may reveal hyperesthesia (early stage), hypoesthesia, or disappearance (late stage) in the region innervated by the affected nerve root; the reflexes of the biceps brachii and triceps brachii tendons are weakened or disappeared; the upper limb muscles may have mild atrophy; there may be tenderness on the corresponding cervical and thoracic vertebrae. In addition, there may be changes in skin temperature and color, as well as disorders of nutrition and sweat gland secretion, etc., which are symptoms of vegetative nervous system. In the acute stage of intramural radicular neuritis, there may be a slight increase in cerebrospinal fluid protein and cells.

　　The prevention of radicular neuritis requires active treatment of various diseases that cause the disease. Good living habits should be cultivated. Patients with suspected symptoms of neuritis should undergo active examinations, and clear diagnoses should be made to achieve early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment, thereby minimizing the complications of the patient's nervous system and musculoskeletal system to the greatest extent possible, improving the prognosis of the patient, and improving the quality of life of the patient.

　　Radiculitis of the spinal nerves refers to the general term for inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the spinal nerve roots caused by various reasons, which can affect the roots of any segment of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spinal nerves. Clinically, the cervical and thoracic nerve roots and lumbar sacral nerve roots are most commonly affected, causing shoulder and back pain as well as lumbar and leg pain. So, what kind of laboratory tests do patients with radiculitis of the spinal nerves need to undergo? The following experts introduce the laboratory tests that patients with radiculitis of the spinal nerves need to undergo.

　　1. Laboratory tests are of auxiliary significance for clinical diagnosis. The cerebrospinal fluid may show slight increase in lymphocytes.

　　2. Evoked potentials. The muscles within the damaged area may show denervation electromyographic changes, and the conduction velocity of motor and sensory nerves in the peripheral nerves may slow down. The latency of sensory nerve evoked potentials is prolonged.

　　3. Head CT and magnetic resonance imaging.

　　Patients with radiculitis of the spinal nerves should avoid spicy and刺激性 foods such as scallions, garlic, ginger, Sichuan pepper, chili, cinnamon, etc. Avoid greasy foods. Abstain from smoking and drinking. Patients with radiculitis of the spinal nerves are recommended to eat therapeutic foods or drugs with the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, and reducing swelling, such as double flowers, dandelion, Scutellaria baicalensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis, Coix seed, asparagus, lotus root, lotus root, hawthorn, etc.

　　Spinal nerves originate from the spinal cord, totaling 31 pairs. Radiculitis of the spinal nerves refers to the general term for inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the spinal nerve roots caused by various reasons, which can affect the roots of any segment of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spinal nerves. Patients with this disease need active treatment. The treatment of radiculitis of the spinal nerves mainly lies in eliminating the cause, improving the nutritional metabolism of the nerves, and promoting the recovery of nerve function.

　　1. Treatment of the cause: control various infections and diabetes, etc.

　　2. Medication: Prednisone 30 mg or dexamethasone 1.5 mg, once a day. The duration of treatment varies depending on the condition, usually 3-4 weeks per course. At the same time, use B vitamins, coenzyme Q10, citicoline, and other drugs to promote nerve repair and improve function. You can also use drugs such as dipyridamole, galantamine, potassium iodide, etc., to improve circulation and promote the absorption of inflammation. For those with significant pain, you can use medications such as carbamazepine or phenytoin sodium.

　　3. Physical therapy, local hot compresses, massage, and other methods have certain therapeutic effects.