July 2020: Arachnoiditis Awareness Month

WHEREAS, arachnoiditis is a rare, extremely debilitating, chronic pain condition caused by injury to the arachnoid layer of the spinal cord; and,

 

WHEREAS, arachnoiditis is a pain disorder caused by inflammation of the arachnoid, one of three membranes that surround and protect the spinal cord; and,

 

WHEREAS, the three major causes of arachnoiditis are infection, injury to the spine or spinal nerves, and injections of foreign substances (chemical); and,

 

WHEREAS, the goal of treatment is to improve a patient’s function and quality of life by alleviating (but not eliminating) symptoms, especially pain; and,  

 

WHEREAS, arachnoiditis knows no age limit, and, if left unrecognized or untreated,  it leads to a variety of symptoms which may result in devastating consequences and can impair the person’s ability to function independently and can inhibit their daily living and employment, as well as lead to significant disability; and,

 

WHEREAS, treatment and management of arachnoiditis must be aggressive and comprehensive based on understanding the cascade of events and symptoms by qualified medical professionals;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim July 2020 as Arachnoiditis Awareness Month in Michigan.