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Can you learn how to walk if you have Spina Bifida?
Yes. I have spina bifida and I'm twenty years old and I've been able to walk completely normal my entire life with no crutches or braces of any kind and have never had any complications. Not all people with Spina Bifida can walk. It depends on the severity of the condition in the individual. But with advances in medicine, children with Spina Bifida can now receive early intervention and many are able to walk, at least with crutches or a walker, if not unaided.
Can you smoke weed if you have spina bifida?
Marijuana has not been proven to cause spina bifida. Having said that, the main causes of spina bifida are not well understood. It has been noticed that women who are deficient in folic acid tend to have a higher chance of having children with neural tube defects, but the exact mechanism has not been discovered.
Spina bifida camp ability?
I myself have Spina Bifida and went to camps for disabled children as a child. Children with Spina Bifida can usually participate in camping activities with no problem, unless the child is on crutches or a walker and does not have a wheelchair, and there is a lot of walking involved. The parents or guardians of such a child need to be aware of the need to check the child's feet and legs for sores and blisters while camping, as well as the child's bottom if the child does not walk.
How does spina bifida affect your body?
There are 3 forms of spina bifida. Spina Bifida Occulta, Meningocele, and Myelomeningocele. The worst form Myelomengingocele is the most common and the effects can include learning disabilities and sometimes developmental disabilities (mental retardation). It affects 1 in 1000 babies born. 90% of them are born with the most serious form (Myelomengingocele). Spina bifida usually results in some paralysis/loss of control of the legs, bowel, and bladder, and is often accompanied by hydrocephalus (water on the brain).
Can Spina Bifida end life short?
It is possible, but it depends on its severity. Some people with a strong case of meylomeningocele may have more lack of oxygen towards the brain, or more severe bladder and kidney infections due to permanent catheterization. Others wont. I suffer from the harshest one, but I can walk, run, etc and I have only needed two surgeries all my life, but I self-catheterise. So it really depends on how severe and birth deformed it affected the person.
Does Spina Bifida go away?
Yes. It will require surgery at 1 to 2 days old to close the opening in the spine, then possibly a shunt, which is a tube to drain water off of the brain (hydrocephalus) and then during the rest of the childhood, orthopedic surgeries to straighten the legs and maximize their function, as well as possibly bladder surgery to fix any bladder control problem. The child may never walk or be able to control the function of the bowels and bladder, or they may, depending on the level of the paralysis.
What is the life expectancy of a kid with spina bifida?
I have a moderate form of spina bifida, called meningocele, and hydrocephalus but am quite independent. However, I depend on others to drive me places. I also use crutches to walk and anything further than 100 metres requires the use of a wheelchair. I also need to wear splints in order to be able to walk. The hydrocephalus also causes great difficulty retaining important information and being in school surrounded by a large group of my classmates was extremely difficult for me, as I would find myself drifting off after a couple of minutes and then would be suddenly aware that I had lost concentration. The spina bifida also caused nerve damage to my arms and unfortunately I can't write as quickly as a normal, healthy person does. For example, say it takes someone 30 minutes to write out a long paragraph - it would take me double that time to complete the same amount of work. I had a shunt inserted when I was 10 days old and it's still in perfect working order and had an operation on my back when I was 5 years old. In spite of my difficulties I have managed to live a good life so far and long may it continue.
What is the mortality of spina bifida?
about 85% of infants survive, and about 50% will be able to walk. Bowel and bladder disorders contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in those with spina bifida who survive past the age of two years.
If you have Spina Bifida and tethered cord what are the chances after surgery of not being able to walk?
The chances of not being able to walk after surgery for Spina Bifida and tethered cord syndrome can vary significantly depending on individual circumstances, such as the severity of the condition, the age at which surgery is performed, and the specific neurological outcomes prior to surgery. While some patients may experience improved mobility and function post-surgery, others may continue to have difficulties walking. It's essential to consult with a healthcare professional for a personalized assessment and prognosis.
I have an amazing daughter who was born with Spina Bifida We were told she may not walk She is now 17 years old and she is a remarkable human being She was flown to BC Children's hospital at birth?
It seems you wrote too much information in your question to be able to actually ask a question!
What if you were born with spina bifida but can walk and operate like any other person why is that?
The level of paralysis depends on what vertebrae were affected by the defect. Where the actual lesion is on the spine. The lower the lesion the more function you will have and higher possibility of walking. Also, babies who have had prenatal surgery to repair the lesion have a greater chance for more function.
Is bifid spinous process the same as spina bifida?
No. A bifid spinous process is not the same. The word bifid means two branches off one process. There is one on the the second cervical vertebrae. It comes of a spinous process. This is a projection that forms what we call the spine. You can feel these down your back. Each vertebrae has one. It is considered a land mark. If you put a magic marker dot on each one, you can see if your spine curves left or right. Spina bifida occurs when the spinal vertebrae don't fuse around the spinal cord as it should. The cord is damaged at that spot. A person with this has cord damage from that spot down. They may not be able to walk. If it is higher, they might not be able to breathe or walk or move their arms. It is similar to the effect of paralytic polio.
