MEDICAL NEWS Have you taken the ice bucket challenge? What do you know about the disease you were raising funds for? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a rapidly progressive, fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders […]
SELF-CARE CORNER According to the World Stroke Organization, you can take these 6 steps to reduce your risk of stroke-a blockage or bleeding in your brain: 1. Know your personal risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol. 2. Be physically active and exercise regularly. 3. Avoid obesity by keeping to a healthy
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Brain & Nervous System This type of brain injury may happen when there is a blow, bump, or jolt to the head. Sports injuries are a common cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Of all injuries, ones to the brain are most likely to result in death or disability for life. It may not look
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First Aid A stroke is also called a “brain attack.” With a stroke, brain cells die due to a blood clot or rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. The end result is brain damage (and possible death). In the U.S., strokes are the 3rd leading cause of death. They are the leading cause
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Brain & Nervous System Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects the nervous system. It occurs equally in men and women of all races and ethnic groups. It most often affects people over the age of 50. The average age of onset is 60 years. Signs & Symptoms Early symptoms can be subtle. They occur gradually and include:
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Brain & Nervous System As adults grow older, it’s important for brain health to have new learning challenges, and to improve problem-solving and reasoning skills. Endless possibilities: Choose a subject or a skill you are curious about or wished you explored when you were younger. Want to learn a musical instrument? Become more computer-savvy? Improve
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Brain & Nervous System Dementias are brain diseases. They result in a decline of all areas of mental ability. This includes learning, memory, problem solving, behaviors, and language. Signs & Symptoms Symptoms of most forms of dementia usually appear slowly over time. However, with a certain form, multi- infarct dementia, the onset of symptoms can
Brain & Nervous System Dizziness is feeling lightheaded. It is a symptom of another condition. Vertigo is a spinning feeling. It affects the inner ear, the brain’s gravity-and-motion detector. Dizziness Conditions Heat Stroke Signs & Symptoms Sudden dizziness with: * Hot, dry, red skin * High fever. No sweating. * Pulse that is rapid and
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Brain & Nervous System Exam to Assess Mental Status A number of tests can assess mental status. A common one used is called “Mini-Mental State Examination.” It was written by M.S. Folstein, S.E. Folstein, and P.R. McHugh. Adapted from this examination are the questions that follow. They were taken from “Working With Your Older Patient:
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Brain & Nervous System About 5.3 million persons in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is the most common cause of dementia – a broad term that means cognitive function declines enough to interfere with daily life activities. Nearly half of people age 85 and older may have AD, but it is not a
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