The impact of<unk>  can range from minor symptoms to severe disability, with some patients being bed-bound. The constellation of symptoms caused by<unk>  has been labelled the cervico-medullary syndrome. Common symptoms include: * Occipital headaches * Migraine Headaches * neck, shoulder and jaw pain * difficulty swallowing, or the sensation of being choked * tenderness at base of skull * feeling of 'bobble-head', where the skull may 'fall off' the spine * photophobia * double or blurred vision *anxiety * tinnitus * tremors * orthostatic intolerance * vertigo or dizziness * palpitations * shortness of breath * nausea * fatigue * Lhermitte's sign * cognitive and memory decline * clumsiness and motor delay * fainting * weakness of the limbs Symptoms are frequently worsened by a Valsalva maneuver or by being upright for long periods of time. Lying supine can bring short-term relief. The reason that being upright is problematic is that gravity is allowing increased interaction between the brain stem and the top of the spinal column, increasing symptoms. Lying supine eliminates the downward gravitational pull, reducing symptoms to some degree. Lying with the feet somewhat higher and head lower (Trendelenberg) allows gravity to work somewhat in the patient's favor.
Craniocervical instability
Cerebrospinal fluid leak
Lumbar enlargement
Hydrocephalus
Brain herniation
Binaural fusion
Dislocation of jaw
Epidural hematoma