How To

How to Identify Neurosyphilis

Waiting around if you have syphilis can decrease your chances of being properly treated.
Waiting around if you have syphilis can decrease your chances of being properly treated.
Contributor
By Christian Coleman
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease that eventually eats away at your central nervous system causing dementia in its tertiary stage. Reading this article will teach you how to identify neurosyphilis (tertiary syphilis).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Note impaired cognitive functions. Cognitive functions can be affected by many types of disorders and diseases. However, these functions are very evident with dementia and dementia caused by syphilis because dementia affects the part of the brain responsible for cognitive movements. Some of the cognitive functions that may be affected include: having abnormal reflexes, loss of muscle control and difficulty walking. If you start noticing these symptoms (or notice them on behalf of someone) you should contact your doctor in order to begin treatment for dementia caused by syphilis (neurosyphilis).

  2. Step 2

    Note the numerous mental symptoms and pains. Dementia and dementia caused by syphilis carry with them loss of mental capacity and some pains associated with the brain and other parts of the nervous system. The thing that makes these symptoms so distinguishable is that they are almost always associated only with dementia or some form of the disease. Some of the mental signs you should look for include: poor concentration, confusion, irritability, headaches, stiff neck, depression and other mental pains or disturbances. If you start noticing these symptoms (or notice them on behalf of someone else) you should consult a doctor right away!

  3. Step 3

    Pay attention to any lack of bodily functions. Sometimes, neurosyphilis can cause the impairment of some of your bodily functions. These particular signs are generally associated with dementia and dementia caused by syphilis. Some of the bodily functions that may be impaired include: incontinence, the inability to control your saliva and the loss of other bodily functions. If you start developing these signs, it is recommended that you contact your doctor immediately.

Tips & Warnings
  • The only definitive way to really know if you have syphilis is to get tested, because sometimes you may not experience any symptoms.
Resources
Photo Credit

Image Courtesy: Centers for Disease Control

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