Posted by Brain on Fire True Story
Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase Brain on Fire Disease in reference to a medical condition, or you’ve even seen the movie of the same name. What precisely is it, though?
“The term “Brain on Fire Disease” actually describes a condition known as anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis,” says Victor Zach, MD, a neurologist, vascular neurology expert, and self-employed HonorHealth Medical Staff member. The body produces antibodies against the brain’s NMDA receptors in this neurological and immunological condition. This causes the brain to enlarge, a condition known as encephalitis, and disrupts normal brain signaling.
Brain on Fire disease prognosis
It is imperative that encephalitis identified early.Examining the real-life events detailed in author and Encephalitis International Ambassador Susannah Cahalan’s book and film “Brain on Fire – My Month of Madness” highlights the urgency.
One person worldwide suffers from encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that can be brought on by an infection or an unintentional immune system attack. However, 77% of the general public is unaware of what encephalitis is (77.18%).One
Symptoms of Brain on Fire disease
- Numerous symptoms of this illness might range in intensity. A patient usually begins with less severe symptoms and quickly progresses to the point where hospitalization is necessary. Among the symptoms are:
- Changes in behavior like hallucinations or paranoia
- Deficit in memory
- Speech dysfunction (mutism, which impairs a person’s capacity to make sounds and form words)
- Convulsions
- aberrant facial or oral movements, or an impact on arm or leg motions
- fainting, lightheadedness, or loss of consciousness
- Despite the rarity of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. Which affects about 1.5 out of every million people each year, it’s crucial to pay attention to the symptoms.
Synopsis
The procedure by which Cahalan was diagnosed. With anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and her problems with it are described in the book. She experienced violent bouts and delusions during the previous month, but she woke up in a hospital with no recollection of them. Many doctors misdiagnosed her with a variety of hypotheses, including “partying too much” and schizoaffective disorder, which complicated her final diagnosis.
Dr. Souhel Najjar was among the doctors who eventually started to assume that Cahalan had an autoimmune condition.
In order to diagnose Cahalan, Najjar had her draw a clock. This test is typically use to identify dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Because the right part of Cahalan’s brain, which controls the left side of the body, was inflamed. She was unable to sketch the clock face normally and instead drew all the digits 1 through 12 on the right face. This helped Najjar diagnose Cahalan and begin her healing process.
Dedicated care team
Throughout Megan’s more than two months in the hospital, her care team—including Dr. Zach—persisted in giving her the best treatment possible.
“She nearly died several times,” Dr. Zach says. “We instructed that Grim Reaper to buzz off each time.”
Megan had to endure weeks of treatment following her hospital stay. Megan says, “The scariest thing for me was realizing when I woke up that I didn’t know how to do anything.” She had to relearn everyday skills like walking, talking, counting, and telling the time.