Thursday, February 12, 2009
What is Devic's Disease?
What is Devic's disease? In what manner might it lead to speech and language difficulties?
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Dr. William J. Mayo, Rush College of Medicine Commencement, 1910
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- Carley
- a certified member of the American Speech Hearing Association and licensed in the state of South Carolina
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The contents of this blog are entirely my own or have been selected by myself or by those directly supervised by me. This blog in no way is supported by the Medical University of South Carolina; and therefore represents only my views as a speech language pathologist.
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4 comments:
Devic’s disease is a rare inflammatory autoimmune disease affecting the optic nerve and the spinal cord. Patients with Devic’s disease often experience loss of vision, as well as weakness or paralysis in the legs or arms, sensory deficits, and problems with bladder and bowel control (1). Spinal cord dysfunction can also be associated with muscle weakness and problems with coordination (2). Problems with the upper spinal cord can also lead trouble breathing (3).
I had trouble finding research about Devic’s disease on speech and language implications. But, I did find that a symptom of Devic’s disease can be ataxia (4). Dsyarthria is a characteristic of one type of ataxia called cerebellar ataxia. Cerebellar ataxia is found in Multiple Sclerosis (5). Cerebellar ataxia may not be the type of ataxia present in Devic’s disease, as Devic’s affects the optic nerve and spinal cord, but it appears that these two diseases have many similarities.
It seems like based on the symptoms of Devic’s disease there might be problems that lead to speech and language difficulties. If the patient is experiencing weakness, problems with coordination, or sensory deficits the problem could potentially cause problems with swallowing. If the person is having problems breathing, speech could be affected.
References
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/Devic's_disease
2.http://www.mayoclinic.org/devics-disease/symptoms.html
3.http://www.myelitis.org/
devics_disease.htm
4.http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/
Devicssyndrome.html
5.http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/
ataxia.html
Let me know what you think about speech and language implications.
Thanks, Nicole
Nicole,
Nice job. Think about breathing and swallowing coordination. Might Devic's disease affect swallowing?
Coordination between breathing and swallowing is important.
Usually, breathing stops for less than a second and the pharyngeal swallow occurs. Most people swallow during the exhalatory phase of breathing. Swallowing during the inhalation phase could result in the person being more likely to aspirate (Logemann 1998).
If a person is having trouble breathing, which can be a symptom of Devic's disease they may have trouble coordinating their breathing with swallowing. So, it would seem that they would be more likely to swallow during inhalation, than someone who is not having difficulty with breathing.
Reference: Logemann, J.A. (1998). Evaluation and Treatment of Swallowing Disorders (2nd Ed.) Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.
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