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A Strange Syndrome That Can Make You Blind In Hot Weather Could Be a Sign Of Something Else

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Vision loss can happen in different ways and for many reasons. It has been discovered that a particular type of vision loss, brought on by exposure to hot temperatures, coexists with a number of illnesses.

Uhthoff’s phenomenon is the name given to the condition in which an elevated body temp impairs vision. It is known that the temporary syndrome messes up the signals between the eyes and the brain, which can make vision blurry or less clear. Fortunately, once the body has cooled down, vision problems usually disappear. One health group says that the event may be linked to several problems with the optic nerve.

According to WebMD, Uhthoff’s phenomenon is frequently a sign of multiple sclerosis, though it can also be a sign of other conditions affecting the optic nerve.

“It is characterised by a temporary worsening of MS symptoms when your body’s temperature is raised by fever, exercise, or using a hot tub or sauna.”

Optic nerve disorders can be caused by a lot of different things, but they usually affect the optic nerve, which is a bundle of a million nerve fibers.

These nerve impulses leave each eye and travel along the optic nerve to the brain to provide visual information.

The Barrow Neurological Institute provides a list of 10 ailments that might affect the optic nerve.
Which are:
the optic nerve’s coloboma
Glaucoma
Idiopathic intracranial high blood pressure
Neuromyelitis optica
Optic nerve atrophy
Optic nerve druse
Optic nerve pit
Optic neuritis.

Although both of these disorders have a decreased field of vision, other distinguishing characteristics can help differentiate them from Uhthoff’s syndrome.

Other difficulties, such as exhaustion, pain, balance issues, weakness, urinary troubles, cognitive abnormalities, and sensory changes, are frequently present together with the condition.

The Uhthoff’s phenomenon is a brief impairment of neurological function that happens in multiple sclerosis patients as a result of elevated body temperature, according to doctor Tariq Mahmood, Medical Director at Concepto Diagnostics.

“It can be triggered by eating hot food, exercising, too much heat exposure, peri-menstrual period, smoking cigarettes and even stress.

“The exact cause of the Uhthoff’s phenomenon remains unclear, but one leading theory points to increased body temperature partially demyelinated axons – the cables where electrical impulses from the neutron travel away to be received by other neurons in the brain and spinal cord.”

Fortunately, the specialist says there are ways in which these issues can be prevented.

Doctor Mahmood said, “To avoid experiencing the Uhthoff’s phenomenon, I would advise multiple sclerosis patients to be as careful as possible as it pertains to regulating internal body temperature.”

“Wait for your body to properly cool down before eating, don’t exercise to strenuous levels, cut out any unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking and learn techniques to help manage stress.”

Symptoms will lessen once the body’s core temperature has been raised.

Since the symptoms tend to go away quickly, doctors don’t think it’s necessary to see a doctor.

However, several health organizations do caution that healing isn’t always quick and can take several hours to fully resolve.

The fact that not everyone with MS experiences Uhthoff’s condition when their body temperature increases should also be noted.

Uhthoff’s syndrome sufferers with MS are not advised to avoid exercise either because exercise can help with other symptoms of the condition.

They are, however, urged to take the essential precautions, such as exercising in a cool area and wearing cooling gear.

Image Credit: Getty

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