Can people with optic neuritis eat spicy food?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on September 21, 2024
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Optic neuritis is essentially an inflammatory response of the immune system, primarily caused by disorders of the body's own immune functions. Patients with this condition are advised not to consume spicy foods, as these can lead to more pronounced immune dysfunction and potentially trigger these degenerative diseases. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid spicy foods. Additionally, patients with optic neuritis often need to take corticosteroids or immunosuppressants long-term, and should not consume spicy foods while on these medications. Besides avoiding spicy foods, patients with optic neuritis should also focus on eating fresh vegetables and fruits to enhance resistance and adjust immune dysfunction. Furthermore, they should consume foods high in B vitamins, such as soybeans, millet, corn, and sorghum.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Why does optic neuritis keep recurring?

The recurrence rate of optic neuritis is quite high because this disease is a type of demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, caused by an immune dysfunction in the body. This immune dysfunction produces abnormal antibodies which attack the optic nerve, as well as the brain and spinal cord, leading to a variety of clinical manifestations. Therefore, as long as the patient's immune function is disordered and not corrected, recurrence is very likely to occur. To prevent the recurrence of optic neuritis, the main aspects include: First, regular physical exercise should be done to enhance physical fitness. Second, it is crucial to follow the doctor's advice and take corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants for a long time, which can help suppress the immune dysfunction. Third, dietary habits should also be carefully managed, with an increased intake of fresh vegetables and fruits and avoiding spicy and stimulating foods.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Will optic neuritis definitely cause blindness?

Optic neuritis is relatively common in neurology. It is a central nervous system demyelinating disease where the optic nerve is affected, leading to a significant decline in vision. However, patients with optic neuritis do not necessarily go blind. With prompt examination and treatment, mainly using corticosteroids, many patients can significantly recover their vision. However, neuromyelitis optica, another disease, tends to recur frequently. If there are many recurrences, it may lead to blindness. It may also cause corresponding lesions in the spinal cord, leading to paralysis and sensory disorders of the limbs. Therefore, it is crucial for patients to receive proper treatment in neurology, including immunosuppressants, and to regularly exercise to enhance physical fitness.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Optic neuritis hormonal side effects

Optic neuritis is a demyelinating disease caused by an inflammatory response, a disorder resulting from an immune dysfunction of the body. Thus, corticosteroids play a critical role in its treatment, and are widely used clinically. However, corticosteroids also have some side effects, such as causing osteoporosis, decalcification, and even necrosis of the femoral head, leading to significant obesity in patients due to redistribution of some fats, resulting in conditions like moon face and buffalo hump, and other adverse reactions including acne. Additionally, corticosteroids can have stimulating effects, potentially causing symptoms like insomnia and tachycardia; they also have gastrointestinal side effects, leading to acute ulcers and gastric mucosal lesions.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How many days does optic neuritis require hospitalization?

Patients with optic neuritis generally experience a decrease in vision, which may occur in one eye or in both if both optic nerves are involved. This condition is often caused by non-specific inflammatory responses that lead to the demyelination of the optic nerve, such as in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica, leading to changes in optic neuritis. This condition is quite severe and requires hospitalization. If not treated promptly, it can cause permanent vision loss, severely affecting the patient's future life. Typically, hospitalization lasts about 10-14 days. During this period, comprehensive examinations including MRI and lumbar puncture are needed, along with high-dose corticosteroid treatment lasting 10-14 days. After discharge, the patient must continue taking oral medications and undergo rehabilitation training.

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Written by Zhang Hui
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Acupuncture treatment for optic neuritis

Optic neuritis is generally caused by demyelinating diseases, which are commonly seen in neurology such as multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica. These conditions affect the function of the optic nerve, leading to a noticeable decline in the patient's vision. In addition to the use of high doses of steroids during the acute phase of treatment, ophthalmology can also administer corticosteroids via retrobulbar injection for corresponding treatment, along with some immunomodulatory therapies. In the field of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture treatment is advocated for vision impairment caused by optic neuritis. Studies suggest that acupuncture can help improve vision recovery and is effective in improving the active vision of the eyeball. This treatment can generally continue from two weeks to about two months. Many patients report that acupuncture treatment tends to have a relatively good prognosis. Hence, apart from pharmacological treatments, acupuncture can be utilized as an adjunct therapy for optic neuritis.