G36.0: Neuromyelitis optica [Devic]

You have an inflammatory disorder that particularly affects the optic nerves and the spinal cord.

The retina is a layer inside the eye. It contains a lot of sensory cells that can perceive light. There are sensory cells for colors and sensory cells for light and dark. The sensory cells pass the information on to the nerve cells in the optic nerve.

The spinal cord is located in the spinal column. The spinal cord is made up of nerve fibers. The brain uses the nerve fibers to exchange information with the organs, skin and muscles. To enable nerve fibers to better transmit information, they have a sheath around them.

With this condition, the optic nerve and parts of the spinal cord, in particular, can become inflamed. Parts of the brain may also be affected. The inflammation is damaging the sheath around the nerve fibers. The inflammation has been caused by your own immune system attacking the sheath around the nerves. The immune system normally protects the body against pathogens and foreign substances. With some disorders, however, parts of the immune system target the body's own tissue or cells.

If your optic nerve is inflamed, you may find it more difficult, or even impossible, to see. The affected eye may be sore. Inflammations of the spinal cord can cause many different symptoms. You may no longer be able to move your arms or legs properly, for example. The muscles may also seize up painfully. Certain parts of the skin may also feel numb. You may also feel that your skin is tingling or sore. You may also have problems moving your bowels or urinating. If parts of the brain are affected, it may cause nausea, hiccups or breathing difficulties.