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Diseases & Conditions- Adult Health Library
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Nervous System Disorders
Acute Spinal Cord Injury
Acute Spinal Cord Injury What is an acute spinal cord injury? Click Image to Enlarge The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body. Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is due to a traumatic injury that either results in a bruise (also called a contusion), a partial tear, or a complete tear (called a transection) in the spinal cord. SCI is a common cause of permanent disability and death in children and adults. About 11,000 people a year sustain a spina...
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease What is Alzheimer's disease? According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that occurs when nerve cells in the brain die. The disease often results in the following behaviors: Impaired memory, thinking, and behavior Confusion Restlessness Personality and behavior changes Impaired judgment Impaired communication Inability to follow directions Language deterioration Impaired thought processes th...
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) What is ALS? Click Image to Enlarge Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a terminal neurological disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease (a famous baseball player who died from the disease), it is one of the most devastating of the disorders that affects the function of nerves and muscles. ALS does not affect mental functioning or the senses (such as seeing or hearing), and i...
Anatomy of the Brain
Anatomy of the Brain What is the central nervous system (CNS)? The CNS consists of the brain and spinal cord. The brain is an important organ that controls thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, respirations, temperature, hunger, and every process that regulates our body. What are the different parts of the brain? Click Image to Enlarge The brain can be divided into the cerebrum, brainstem, and cerebellum: Cerebrum. The cerebrum (supratentorial or front of brain) is composed of the right...
Ataxia
Ataxia What is ataxia? Ataxia means without coordination . People who are diagnosed with ataxia lose muscle control in their arms and legs, which may lead to a lack of balance, coordination, and possibly a disturbance in gait. Ataxia may affect the fingers, hands, arms, legs, body, speech, and even eye movements. Ataxia is often used to describe the symptom of incoordination that may accompany infections, injuries, other diseases, and/or degenerative changes in the central nervous system. The symptom of...
Bell's Palsy
Bell's Palsy What is Bell's palsy? Bell's palsy is an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis that begins suddenly and worsens over three to five days. This condition results from damage to the 7th (facial) cranial nerve, and pain and discomfort usually occurs on one side of the face or head. It can strike anyone at any age, but it occurs most often in pregnant women, and people who have diabetes, influenza, a cold or another upper respiratory ailment. According to the National Instit...
Brain Tumors
Brain Tumors What is a brain tumor? A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain. The tumor can either originate in the brain itself (primary brain tumor), or come from another part of the body and travel to the brain (metastatic or secondary tumor). Brain tumors may be classified as either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous), depending on their behavior. A benign tumor does not contain cancer cells and usually, once removed, does not recur. Most benign brain tumors have clear b...
Cerebral Aneurysm
Cerebral Aneurysm What is a cerebral aneurysm? Click Image to Enlarge A cerebral aneurysm (also called an intracranial aneurysm or brain aneurysm) is a bulging, weakened area in the wall of an artery in the brain, resulting in an abnormal widening, ballooning, or bleb. Because there is a weakened spot in the aneurysm wall, there is a risk for rupture (bursting) of the aneurysm. A cerebral aneurysm more frequently occurs in an artery located in the front part of the brain that supplies oxygen-rich blood ...
Cluster Headaches
Cluster Headaches What is a cluster headache? Relative to other types of primary headache, cluster headaches are rare. The pain they produce is severe and tends to recur in the same way each time for individuals who experience cluster headaches. Cluster headaches occur in groups, or clusters, and individual attacks last about one to three hours on average. The frequency of occurrence may range from every other day to multiple times a day. Cluster periods are followed by remissions that may last months o...
Diagnosis and Treatment for Migraines
Diagnosis and Treatment for Migraines How are migraine headaches diagnosed? In order to get an accurate diagnosis it is important to be able to describe your migraine symptoms to your doctor. It is helpful to track migraine occurrences (dates and times) and the details associated with migraines. Helpful information: What time of day do the headaches occur? What is the specific location of the headaches? What do the headaches feel like? How long do the headaches last? Have there been changes in behavior ...
Diagnostic Tests for Neurological Disorders
Diagnostic Tests for Neurological Disorders What are some diagnostic tests for nervous system disorders? Evaluating and diagnosing damage to the nervous system is complicated and complex. Many of the same symptoms occur in different combinations among the different disorders. To further complicate the diagnostic process, many disorders do not have definitive causes, markers, or tests. In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for nervous system disorders m...
Effects of Stroke (Brain Attack)
Effects of Stroke (Brain Attack) What are the effects of stroke? The effects of stroke (brain attack) vary from person to person based on the type, severity, and location of the stroke. The brain is extremely complex and each area of the brain is responsible for a special function or ability. When an area of the brain is damaged, which typically occurs with a stroke, an impairment may result. An impairment is the loss of normal function of part of the body. Sometimes, an impairment may result in a disab...
Encephalitis
Encephalitis What is encephalitis? Click Image to Enlarge Encephalitis is a term used to describe inflammation of the brain. This condition causes problems with the brain and spinal cord function. The inflammation causes the brain to swell, which leads to changes in the person's neurologic condition, including mental confusion and seizures. What causes encephalitis? The cause of encephalitis varies depending on the season, the area of the country, and the type of exposure. Viruses are the leading cause ...
Epilepsy and Seizures
Epilepsy and Seizures What is epilepsy? Epilepsy is a neurological condition involving the brain that makes people more susceptible to having recurrent, unprovoked seizures. It is one of the most common disorders of the nervous system and affects people of all ages, races, and ethnic background. Almost 3 million Americans live with epilepsy. Anything that interrupts the normal connections between nerve cells in the brain can cause a seizure. This includes a high fever, low blood sugar, high blood sugar,...
Glossary - Nervous System Disorders
Glossary - Nervous System Disorders | A | | B | | C | | D | | E | | F | | G | | H | | I | | J | | K | | L | | M | | N | | O | | P | | Q | | R | | S | | T | | U | | V | | W | | X | | Y | | Z | A [back to top] acetylcholine - a chemical in the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter. action tremor - a tremor that increases when the hand is moving voluntarily. activities of daily living (ADLs) - personal care activities necessary for everyday living, such as eating, bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting...
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Guillain-Barré Syndrome What is Guillain-Barré syndrome? Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a neurological disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The onset can be quite sudden and unexpected. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the disorder can develop over a few days, or it may take up to several weeks. A person experiences the greatest weakness within the first two weeks after symptoms appear. By the third w...
Head Injury
Head Injury What is a head injury? Head injuries are one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults. The injury can be as mild as a bump, bruise (contusion), or cut on the head, or can be moderate to severe in nature due to a concussion, deep cut or open wound, fractured skull bone(s), or from internal bleeding and damage to the brain. A head injury is a broad term that describes a vast array of injuries that occur to the scalp, skull, brain, and underlying tissue and blood vessels in t...
Headache
Headache What is a headache? A headache is pain or discomfort in the head or face area. Headaches vary greatly in terms of pain location, pain intensity, and how frequently they occur. As a result of this variation, several categories of headache have been created by the International Headache Society to more precisely define specific types of headaches. What aches when you have a headache? There are several areas in the head that can hurt when you have a headache, including the following: A network of ...
History of Stroke
History of Stroke Hippocrates, the father of medicine, first recognized stroke over 2,400 years ago. At this time stroke was called apoplexy, which means "struck down by violence" in Greek. This was due to the fact that a person developed sudden paralysis and change in well-being. Doctors had little knowledge of the anatomy and function of the brain, the cause of stroke, or how to treat it. It was not until the mid-1600s that Jacob Wepfer found that patients who died with apoplexy had bleeding in the br...
Home Page - Nervous System Disorders
Topic Index Overview of Nervous System Disorders Anatomy of the Brain Diagnostic Tests for Neurological Disorders Neurological Examination Neurological Disorders Glossary The nervous system is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates the body's basic functions and activities. It is made up of two major divisions, including the central nervous system (consisting of the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (consisting of all other neural elements). The central ner...
How a Migraine Happens
How a Migraine Happens Theories about migraine pain Older theories about migraines suggested that symptoms were possibly due to fluctuations in blood flow to the brain. Now many headache researchers realize that changes in blood flow and blood vessels do not initiate the pain, but may contribute to it. Current thinking regarding migraine pain has moved more toward the source of the problem, as improved technology and research have paved the way for a better understanding. Today, it is widely understood ...
Lumbar Disk Disease (Herniated Disk)
Lumbar Disk Disease (Herniated Disk) Click Image to Enlarge Anatomy of the lumbar spine The vertebral column, also called the backbone, is made up of 33 vertebrae that are separated by spongy disks and classified into four distinct areas. The cervical area consists of seven bony parts in the neck; the thoracic spine consists of 12 bony parts in the back area; the lumbar spine consists of five bony segments in the lower back area; five sacral bones (fused into one bone, the sacrum); and four coccygeal bo...
Meningitis
Meningitis What is meningitis? Click Image to Enlarge Meningitis is a disease caused by an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain. The inflammation is usually caused by infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. There are three meninges, including the following: Dura mater. This is the outside membrane that adheres to the inside of the skull. Arachnoid. This is the middle membrane. Pia mater . This is the innermost membrane, which adheres to the brain. Wha...
Migraine Headaches
Migraine Headaches What are migraine headaches? This throbbing type of headache is distinguished by the fact that symptoms other than pain occur with the headache. Nausea and vomiting, lightheadedness, sensitivity to light (photophobia), and other visual disturbances are common migraine symptoms. Migraines are also unique in that they have distinct phases. Not all individuals experience each phase, however. The phases of a migraine headache may include: Premonition phase. A change in mood or behavior th...
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis What is multiple sclerosis (MS)? Click Image to Enlarge Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. It is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. It is an unpredictable condition that can be relatively benign, disabling, or devastating. Some individuals with MS may be mildly affected, while others may lose their ability to see clearly, write, speak, or walk when communication between the brain and other parts of the body becomes disrupted. Myelin is a fat...
Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular Dystrophy What is muscular dystrophy? Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a broad term that describes a genetic (inherited) disorder of the muscles. Muscular dystrophy causes the muscles in the body to become very weak. The muscles break down and are replaced with fatty deposits over time. Other health problems commonly associated with muscular dystrophy include the following: Heart problems Scoliosis. A lateral, or sideways, curvature and rotation of the back bones (vertebrae), giving the appearance th...
Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia Gravis What is myasthenia gravis? Click Image to Enlarge Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic, complex, autoimmune disorder in which antibodies destroy neuromuscular connections. This causes problems with communication between nerves and muscle, resulting in weakness of the skeletal muscles. MG affects the voluntary muscles of the body, especially the eyes, mouth, throat, and limbs. In the U.S., MG affects about 20 people in 100,000. Women affected by MG generally see onset of the condition by...
Neurocutaneous Syndromes
Neurocutaneous Syndromes What are neurocutaneous syndromes? Click Image to Enlarge Neurocutaneous syndrome is a broad term for a group of neurologic (brain, spine, and peripheral nerve) disorders. These diseases are lifelong conditions that can cause tumors to grow inside the brain, spinal cord, organs, skin, and skeletal bones. The three most common types of neurocutaneous syndromes are: Tuberous sclerosis (TS) Neurofibromatosis (NF): Type I, Type II, and schwannomatosis Sturge-Weber disease What cause...
Neurological Disorders
Neurological Disorders There are many nervous system disorders that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Acute Spinal Cord Injury Alzheimer's Disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Ataxia Bell's Palsy Brain Tumors Cerebral Aneurysm Epilepsy and Seizures Guillain-Barré Syndrome Headache Cluster Headaches Tension Headaches Migraine Headaches How a Migraine Happens Diagnosis and Treat...
Neurological Examination
Neurological Examination What is a neurological examination? A neurological examination, also called a neuro exam , is an evaluation of a person's nervous system that can be performed in the doctor's office. It may be performed with instruments, such as lights and reflex hammers, and usually does not cause any pain to the patient. The nervous system consists of the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves from these areas. There are many aspects of this examination, including an assessment of motor and se...
Neurological Surgery
Neurological Surgery What is neurological surgery? Neurological surgery, also called neurosurgery , is the branch of medicine that provides both operative and nonoperative management of disorders that affect the central and peripheral nervous systems, including their supportive structures and vascular supply, and the operative and nonoperative management of pain. Neurological surgery encompasses disorders of the brain, spine, and nerves, including the following: The extracranial and intracranial carotid...
Neurology
Neurology What is neurology? Neurology is the branch of medicine that is concerned with the study and treatment of disorders of the nervous system. Who is the neurologist? The doctor who specializes in neurology is called a neurologist . After completing medical school, doctors specializing in adult neurology complete one year of residency in internal medicine and three years of neurology residency. Neurologists treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, including, but not limited to, the fo...
Online Resources - Nervous System Disorders
Online Resources - Nervous System Disorders This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your health care provider. The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. This p...
Overview of Nervous System Disorders
Overview of Nervous System Disorders What is the nervous system? The nervous system is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates body activities. It is made up of two major divisions, including the following: Central nervous system. This consists of the brain and spinal cord. Peripheral nervous system. This consists of all other neural elements. The Nervous System (Click to Enlarge) In addition to the brain and spinal cord, principal organs of the nervous system include the followin...
Overview of Stroke
Overview of Stroke Click Image to Enlarge What is stroke? Stroke, also called brain attack, occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. Disruption in blood flow is caused when either a blood clot or piece of plaque blocks one of the vital blood vessels in the brain (ischemic stroke), or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into surrounding tissues (hemorrhagic stroke). The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients in order to function. Even a brief interruption in bl...
Parkinson's Disease (PD)
Parkinson's Disease (PD) What is PD? Click Image to Enlarge Parkinson's disease (or, simply, Parkinson's) is the most common form of parkinsonism, a group of motor system disorders. It is a slowly progressing, degenerative disease that is usually associated with the following symptoms, all of which result from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells: Tremor or trembling of the arms, jaw, legs, and face Stiffness or rigidity of the limbs and trunk Bradykinesia (slowness of movement) Postural instabili...
Rehabilitation for Neurological Disorders
Rehabilitation for Neurological Disorders What conditions may benefit from neurological rehabilitation? The nervous system is vulnerable to various disorders. It can be damaged by injuries, infections, degeneration, structural defects, and tumors, as well as disorders in the circulatory system. Disorders of the nervous system, which may be helped by physical medicine and rehabilitation, may include, but are not limited to, the following: Vascular disorders , such as stroke, transient ischemic attack (TI...
Rehabilitation for Stroke
Rehabilitation for Stroke What is rehabilitation? Rehabilitation is the process of helping an individual achieve the highest level of independence and quality of life possible--physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Rehabilitation does not reverse or undo the damage caused by a stroke, but rather helps restore the individual to optimal health, functioning, and well-being. Rehabilitate (from the Latin "habilitas") means "to make able again." The stroke rehabilitation team The stroke rehabili...
Risk Factors for Stroke
Risk Factors for Stroke Evaluating the risk for stroke is based on heredity, natural processes, and lifestyle. Many risk factors for stroke can be changed or managed, while others that relate to hereditary or natural processes cannot be changed. Risk factors for stroke that can be changed, treated, or medically managed: High blood pressure. The most important controllable risk factor for stroke (brain attack) is controlling high blood pressure (140/90 or higher). High blood pressure can damage blood ves...
Septicemia
Septicemia What is septicemia? Septicemia is the clinical name for blood poisoning. Septicemia that progresses to septic shock has a death rate as high as 50 percent, depending on the type of organism involved. Septicemia is a medical emergency and requires urgent medical treatment. How does septicemia relate to meningitis Some bacteria that cause meningitis can also cause septicemia, particularly the meningococcal form. When meningococcus invades the body, it enters from the throat, gets into the blood...
Signs and Symptoms of Stroke
Signs and Symptoms of Stroke What are the most common symptoms of stroke? The following are the most common symptoms of stroke. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. If any of these symptoms are present, call 911 (or your local ambulance service) immediately. Treatment is most effective when started immediately. Symptoms may be sudden and include: Weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body Confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding Pr...
Statistics of Stroke
Statistics of Stroke More about stroke or brain attack The American Stroke Association (ASA), a division of the American Heart Association, reports the following statistics regarding strokes: Stroke is the fourth largest cause of death, ranking behind diseases of the heart, all forms of cancer, and lower respiratory disease. Almost every 40 seconds in the United States, a person experiences a stroke. Over four million U.S. adults live today with the effects of a stroke. ASA estimates strokes cost the U....
Stroke (Brain Attack)
Stroke (Brain Attack) Stroke is a serious condition that requires clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below you will find some additional information regarding stroke, for which we have provided a brief overview. History of Stroke Overview of Stroke Signs and Symptoms of Stroke Risk Factors for Stroke Statistics of Stroke Types of Stroke Effects of Stroke Evaluation Procedures for Stroke Treatment for Stroke Rehabilitation for Stroke
Tension Headaches
Tension Headaches What is a tension headache? Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. Stress and muscle tension are often factors in tension type headaches. Tension headaches typically do not cause nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light (photophobia). What are the symptoms of a tension headache? While symptoms may differ, the following are common symptoms of a tension type headache: Slow onset of the headache Head usually hurts on both sides Pain is dull or feels like a band or vice a...
Topic Index - Nervous System Disorders
Topic Index - Nervous System Disorders Nervous System Disorders Home Overview of Nervous System Disorders Neurology Neurological Surgery Rehabilitation for Neurological Disorders Rehabilitation for Post-Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation for Spinal Cord Injury Anatomy of the Brain Diagnostic Tests for Neurological Disorders Neurological Examination Nervous System Disorders Acute Radiculopathies Acute Spinal Cord Injury Alzheimer's Disease Caring for Someone with Alzheimer's Disease Dementia with Lewy...
Treatment for Stroke
Treatment for Stroke Medical treatment for stroke Specific treatment for stroke will be determined by your doctor based on: Your age, overall health, and medical history Severity of the stroke Location of the stroke Cause of the stroke Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies Type of stroke Your opinion or preference Although there is no cure for stroke, advanced medical and surgical treatments are now available, giving many stroke victims hope for optimal recovery. Emergency tr...
Types of Muscular Dystrophy and Neuromuscular Diseases
Types of Muscular Dystrophy and Neuromuscular Diseases What are the different types of muscular dystrophy? Muscular dystrophy is a group of inherited diseases that are characterized by weakness and wasting away of muscle tissue, with or without the breakdown of nerve tissue. There are nine types of muscular dystrophy, with each type involving an eventual loss of strength, increasing disability, and possible deformity. The most well known of the muscular dystrophies is Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) ,...
Types of Stroke
Types of Stroke What are the different types of stroke? According to the American Stroke Association (ASA), strokes can be classified into two main categories: 87 percent are ischemic strokes. These are strokes caused by blockage of an artery. 13 percent are hemorrhagic strokes. These are strokes caused by bleeding. What is an ischemic stroke? An ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies the brain becomes blocked or "clogged" and impairs blood flow to part of the brain. The brain cells an...
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FIND A PHYSICIAN
WELLNESS LECTURES & EVENTS
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South Lake Tahoe, CA
96150
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