With bulbar syndrome, the child has almost no facial expression. Photo: Getty
Causes of the disease
This disease is caused by degenerative factors, hereditary predisposition, problems with blood vessels. In addition, the following diseases can be the causes of its occurrence:
- Spinal cord tumor.
- Botulism.
- Anomalies of bone tissue.
- Encephalitis.
- Meningitis.
Only a group of specialists can establish the true cause after a thorough examination.
Symptoms of bulbar syndrome
In babies, the pathology may manifest itself in infancy. In some cases, the main signs become noticeable a little later - in the period up to 2 years. The most obvious symptoms include:
- Increased humidity of the oral cavity. In the normal state, the process of salivation should be moderate.
- Damage to the hypoglossal nerve. This phenomenon is easily noticed when a child cries - the tongue is noticeably pulled to the side.
- Motility and pronunciation process (phonation). Patients are characterized by slow motion and slurred speech.
- Lack of facial expressions. The face becomes immobile.
- Disturbance of a rhythm of breath.
- The child chews on food with difficulty, is hard for him to swallow, and his mouth is constantly open.
Such babies are clumsy and unable toto take care of themselves. The main task of doctors in this disease is to support the vital functions of organs, which are disrupted as a result of dysfunction of the brain stems. Sometimes immediate assistance and hospitalization are needed. Therapeutic treatment includes:
- Artificial ventilation of the lungs, this procedure allows you to normalize breathing when the child is already able to breathe independently.
- Taking medications to help activate the swallowing reflex. Together with vitamins prescribed adenosine triphosphate, prozerin.
- The means reducing salivation. In this case, the doctor may prescribe atropine.
- Proper nutrition. Since it is difficult for the patient to eat, they feed him with special liquid food using a food probe.
First of all, you need to treat the disease thatcaused bulbar syndrome. Disruption of the cranial nerves does not give a 100% guarantee of recovery, but it is quite possible to alleviate the patient's condition and help him to exist normally. Read more: