What is Devic syndrome?

Neuromyelitis optica, also called NMO or Devic’s disease, is a rare yet severe demyelinating autoimmune inflammatory process affecting the central nervous system. It specifically affects the myelin, which is the insulation around the nerves.

Which is worse MS or NMO?

Symptoms of NMO are usually severe than multiple sclerosis (MS). The individual episodes in NMO are more serious compared to MS. Their cumulative effect will have debilitating, irreversible effects on nerve functions.

Can the NMO be reversed?

Neuromyelitis optica can’t be cured, though long-term remission is sometimes possible with the right management. NMO treatment involves therapies to reverse recent symptoms and prevent future attacks.

How is MS different from NMO?

In NMO, spinal cord lesions tend to be centrally located, rarely extending to the surface of the cord, whereas in MS such lesions are usually located peripherally. Chronic cord lesions in NMO often change over time, becoming patchier in appearance, making these distinguishing criteria less applicable to older lesions.

Can you live a long life with NMO?

It’s possible to live for many years with NMO, especially if you receive treatment early on with immune-modulating medications. Some people develop life threatening complications from NMO. One small study found that about 1 in 5 people with NMO develop breathing difficulties.

Can you live a normal life with NMO?

NMO is also known as Devic’s disease or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients have a 91% to 98% five-year survival rate. Current research indicates that neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients have a 91% to 98% five-year survival rate.

Is NMO a type of MS?

Devic’s disease, also called neuromyelitis optica or NMO, is an immunological disorder that may be confused with multiple sclerosis (MS). Devic’s disease is often characterized by immune attacks on the optic nerves (which transmit what you see to your brain) and the spinal cord.

Is Devic’s disease worse than MS?

Symptoms are generally more severe for the Devic’s disease/NMO attack than the MS attack. A specific blood marker that is found in people with Devic’s disease/NMO is not found in people with MS. In MS, individual episodes are usually mild.

Can people with NMO drive?

Your vision issues may get better after an NMO attack, come and go, or be permanent. They sometimes affect your ability to drive. Some treatments for NMO also can help reduce or stop vision loss.

How quickly does NMO progress?

NMO symptoms may develop quickly — even within a few hours — increase over the course of a few days and then plateau. Symptoms may improve over weeks and months with treatment.

How long do people with neuromyelitis optica live?

Patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients have a 91% to 98% five-year survival rate. Current research indicates that neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients have a 91% to 98% five-year survival rate.

How rare is Devic’s disease?

The condition is extremely rare, affecting between 0.052 and 0.44 in every 100,000 people worldwide. The disease is more common in people over 40 years of age.