Stenosis and Compression

Instability of the craniocervical junction (where spine meets skull). The connective tissue that supports the skull can become weak or damaged, leading to compression. Causes can include injury, congenital disorders, inflammatory disease, and tumor. Symptoms may include the feeling of a heavy head, head pain, head pressure, dysautonomia, fatigue, weakness, numbness, paresthesia, dizziness, syncope, gait issues, vision issues, nausea or gut issues, sleep issues, cognitive issues, and more. 

Connective tissue binds, supports, and protects, providing framework and structure for organs and other tissue. There are more than 200 varieties of connective tissue disease, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, and EDS. CTDs can be inherited or caused by environmental factors. Though there are many types, EDS is commonly seen with compression issues and symptoms may include skin hyperelasticity, hypermobile or loose joints, atrophic scarring, fragile blood vessels, joint pain, muscle pain or weakness, dysautonomia/POTS, and more.

A group of conditions in which the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) malfunctions. The ANS controls automatic functions like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature. Symptoms vary but may include syncope, lightheadedness, heart rate or blood pressure issues, and more.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)  is a form of dysautonomia with an orthostatic component (symptoms upon standing). Symptoms may include syncope, lightheadness, tachycardia, shortness of breath, gut issues, exercise intolerance, temperature sensitivity and more. In some cases, POTS symptoms have been found to be secondary to other issues, such as spinal CSF leaks.

Increased intracranial pressure can be caused by injury, illness, infection, medication, high blood pressure, tumor, stroke, stenosis, compression, and more. Symptoms can include head or neck pain or pressure, vision issues, pulse-synchronous tinnitus, fatigue or sleepiness, lack of alertness, brain fog, memory or other cognitive issues, mood issues or behavioral changes, weakness, issues with movement or speech, pain in the neck, shoulders, arms, upper or lower back, hips, legs, or feet, neck or shoulder stiffness, dizziness, lightheadedness, balance problems, numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or face, nausea or vomiting, clear fluid leaking from the nose or eyes, endocrine issues (due to empty sella syndrome and the flattening of the pituitary gland), malaise, and exercise intolerance. (see the IIH page for more)

The internal jugular vein returns deoxygenated blood to the heart from the brain. Compression can occur due to bone, muscle, or CCI, or can be due to hypoplasia (incomplete development or underdevelopment). Symptoms can include tinnitus, hearing issues, head pain, neck pain, head noises, and more, and may lead to other symptoms via IIH.

Vascular compression caused by an elongated styloid process. Symptoms may include pain in the neck, throat, tongue, mouth and face, difficulty swallowing, changes to speech, headache, tinnitus, the sensation of something stuck in the throat, and pain when chewing or turning head. 

Stylo-jugular venous compression syndrome (compression of the internal jugular vein) is a subtype of Eagle Syndrome. 

Compression of the celiac artery (the artery that sends blood to the upper abdomen), or the network of nerves around it, occurs when the arc-shaped ligament in the chest area or the artery is out of place. Symptoms may include positional stomach pain, stomach pain after eating or exercising, bloating, diarrhea, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting.

Compression of the left common iliac vein by the right common iliac artery. The cause is unknown. Symptoms may include feelings of heaviness, ulcers, skin discoloration, swelling, pain, and varicose veins, or the condition may lead to deep vein thrombosis (and associated symptoms) due to blood pooling in legs.

Mast cells help fight infection and are involved in allergic reactions. When the allergy antibody IgE binds to proteins that cause allergies, they release mediators. In MCAS, allergic symptoms (hives, flushing, itching, swelling, raised heart rate, low blood pressure, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) for unknown reasons occur in repeated episodes. The mast cell mediators are released in too large an amount, to many different triggers, such as chemicals, foods, or the environment. 

Mechanical issues include but are not limited to anatomy, spine issues such as scoliosis, degenerative changes, disc herniation, stenosis, and more, tumors, cysts, inflammation, infection, accident or injury, and may lead to compression in many areas of the body.

Compression of the left renal vein, usually between the aorta and the superior mesenteric artery. Symptoms may include positional pain such as left flank pain, lower left abdominal pain, pelvic pain, pain and swelling of the scrotal veins in men, fatigue, headache, and blood in urine.

Improper function of veins in the pelvic area that may cause pelvic area pain, lower back pain, irritable bladder, or varicose veins on upper thighs or buttocks.

Compression of the neurovascular bundle in the popliteal fossa (most commonly recognized is the popliteal artery—behind the knee). Symptoms may include pain or cramping in the back of the lower leg, cold feet after exercise, numbness, tingling, or burning in calf, heavy feeling in leg, swelling, changes in skin color, or blood clot.

Compression of the upper portion of the small intestines, just past the stomach, that can cause pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and abdominal distension. 

Spinal CSF leaks can be caused by medical procedure, injury, bone spur or spine issue, IIH, venous fistula, weakened dura due to CTD or illness, and more. Symptoms may include positional head pain or pressure, neck pain, pressure, or stiffness, dizziness or vertigo, disequilibrium, nausea or gut issues, hearing issues, cognitive issues, tinnitus, weakness, fatigue, light or sound sensitivity, vision issues, numbness, tingling, pain between shoulder blades, taste issues, mood issues, behavior changes, motor disorders, gait issues, coma, spasms, dysautonomia/POTS symptoms such as heat intolerance, tachycardia, and shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, post-exertional malaise, sleep issues, tender, bruised-feeling scalp, temperature issues such as chills or low fever, and seizure. (see more on the Spinal CSF Leaks page)

Tarlov cysts may lead to nerve root compression and its associated symptoms. 

Compression of the spinal cord. Symptoms may include numbness, pain, weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, loss of sensation, loss of function, and pain or discomfort in the area at or below the compression point, or it may lead to myelopathy. Symptoms of myelopathy may include lower back, neck, arm, or leg pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness, fine motor control issues, balance and coordination issues, increased reflexes in extremities, difficulty walking, or loss of bowel or bladder control.

Compression of the blood vessels or nerves in the area between the neck and shoulder caused by injury, anatomy (such as extra rib), and more. Symptoms may vary depending on the type. Neurogenic TOS may cause numbness or tingling in the arm or fingers, cold hands, pain in the neck, shoulder, arm or hand, arm fatigue, and weakening grip. Venous TOS may cause a change in color on the hand or fingers, hand or arm pain, and swelling. Arterial TOS may cause a pulsating lump near the collarbone, cold fingers, hands, or arms, hand or arm pain, tinging, a change in color on the hand or fingers, and weak pulse in the affected arm.

Stenosis of the transverse sinus obstructs venous blood outflow. TSS may be hypoplastic (underdeveloped), caused by increased intracranial pressure, or may contribute to IIH, and may lead to symptoms associated with IIH. 

Nervous system disorder caused by tissue attached to the spinal cord that restricts movement of the spinal cord or causes it to stretch. May be present from birth or caused by injury. Symptoms may include leg, back, or neck pain, pulling sensation, numbness in the legs or feet, foot deformities or walking on toes in children, sensory or motor problems, gut issues, loss of bowel and bladder control, and more. 

Occult tethered cord syndrome is presence of the signs and symptoms of tethered cord syndrome with normal neuroimaging.