Blood Thinners & Head Injuries: What You Need to Know
Head injuries can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a penetrating head injury. They can also result from a fall, car accident, or sports injury. Depending on the location, force, and type of impact, some head injuries may be more serious than others.
Coronavirus and the Nervous System: Short & Long Term Neurological Symptoms
With the start of 2022 we are entering the third year of the Coronavirus pandemic. Although coronaviruses, including the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19, primarily cause mild to moderate upper respiratory problems, they can indirectly affect other areas of the body as well. This is generally due to a
We all have nerves that run through our body. These nerves are responsible for sending signals from the brain to different parts of the body and back again. Occasionally, these nerve pathways can become compressed or irritated, leading to a range of issues. Nerve disorders are often misunderstood, but they
Concussions in Women Can Have Lasting Effects
Have you ever been hit in the head? Chances are you’ve probably hit your head at some point. While not all hits to the head are problematic, some can cause a concussion. Concussions can have both short and long term effects, however a new study has found that women may
Neurologic Diseases Associated with Alcohol Consumption
Many people have experienced the phenomenon of having too much to drink. What starts as a few beers can lead to feeling sick, dizzy, and even vomiting. Besides the short-term effects of drinking alcohol, there are also long-term effects of drinking large amounts of alcohol. Many people are somewhat familiar
The Connection Between Multiple Sclerosis and Trigeminal Neuralgia
There are certain neurological conditions that have very distinctive symptoms. For example, a stroke can be recognized by facial drooping, arm weakness, and speech difficulties, which spell out the acronym “FAST” (The “T” stands for timing is critical). Not every neurological condition has symptoms that fit neatly into acronyms, however.
7 Causes of Myopathy
May of us take our muscles for granted – they allow us to walk, run and even breathe. The importance of muscles is something you might only think about when you exercise or watch your favorite athlete in action on TV, but they really have an effect on your everyday
Neurological Disorders Divided by the CNS or PNS
Did you know that your nervous system is actually made up of two systems known as the central and peripheral nervous systems? Your central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord, while your peripheral nervous system is made up of all the nerves outside your brain and
What is Radiculopathy?
Nerves are the wiring in your body that travel down your spinal cord and connect your brain to every part of the body. When functioning properly, nerves are able to communicate different forms of sensory information to the brain. Unfortunately, however, nerves can go wrong in many ways and cause
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month
National Epilepsy Awareness Month is a time to learn more about epilepsy and how it affects people of all ages. It also gives us an opportunity to recognize the many ways we can help those with epilepsy and their caregivers, as well as stand in solidarity with them. The theme
The Vestibular System: What It is and How It Affects Balance
Have you ever watched in awe as Olympic gymnasts complete a seemingly impossible routine on a balance beam? Maybe you’ve even tested your balance by walking on a narrow surface. Even if you haven’t consciously tested your balance, your body is constantly carrying out several processes to ensure that you
Why to See a Neurologist for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
When your wrist hurts chances are you don’t think about visiting a neurologist. Even if you suspect carpal tunnel syndrome, a neurologist’s office isn’t often the first place you think of scheduling an appointment. However, carpal tunnel syndrome is classified as a nerve disorder, which makes a neurologist the perfect
Conditions Mistaken for Multiple Sclerosis
Did you know that as many as 1 in 5 people with other neurological conditions are misdiagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)? This comes from a study published in the May 2019 journal of Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. Certain medical conditions are harder to diagnose than others, especially when they
Types of Head Injuries
Head injuries are very common in the United States. Did you know that every year there are about 2 million head injury-related emergency room visits? Head injuries can occur when the head is shaken violently or when a blow to the head is absorbed by the skull. Some common causes
Breakthrough Study on the Cause of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease that causes the progressive deterioration of brain cells. Alzheimer’s Disease affects an estimated 5.8 million Americans, and causes more than half of all cases of dementia in the United States. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common diseases among older adults, with about 1
6 Ways Stress Affects Your Brain
The brain is a fascinating and complex organ. It’s the primary control center for our whole body, and it can be affected by stress in many different ways. Stress itself is an important part of life – it helps us prepare for danger or respond to emergencies. But when we’re
6 Neurological Conditions: What to Know & When to Seek Help
A neurological condition is defined as any condition that affects the nervous system, which is composed of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves (as well as the muscles that they control). Neurological conditions can be difficult to diagnose, with many neurologists relying on a patient’s symptoms and medical history. It
How Your Diet May Be Causing Your Headaches
Do you experience headaches? You’re not alone. Many people struggle with headache pain on a regular basis, and it’s been estimated that over 30 million Americans have chronic headache disorders. Interestingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that there are many potential causes of headache pain – but
What is Drug-Induced Parkinsonism?
Did you know that certain symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) can be caused by medications? This phenomenon is known as drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) and it is the second most common cause of parkinsonism in the elderly only after Parkinson’s disease itself. Here is what you need to know about drug-induced
4 Things That Can Cause a Stroke & 4 Ways to Assess Your Risk
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), approximately 795,000 people have a stroke each year. The American Stroke Association also notes that strokes are the number five cause of death and the number one cause of disability. Strokes occur when blood vessels leading to the brain
Why You Should See a Neurologist for Sleep Problems
Do you have problems falling asleep? Or maybe you fall asleep and then wake up multiple times later in the night? Do you also struggle with issues like restless leg syndrome that prevents you from getting quality sleep? If any of this sounds like something you experience on a regular
The 12 Cranial Nerves
Most people know that their brain is connected to the rest of their body through the brainstem, spinal cord, and various nerves. But, have you ever wondered how your brain is connected to the various structures on and around your head? After all, most of your sensory organs are located
8 Things You Didn’t Know About Epilepsy & Pregnancy
Many women dream of someday having children and starting their own family. For some, however, their medical history can complicate their vision of what they think motherhood should look like. This can be especially true for women with epilepsy who want to have children. The good news is that most
6 Tips for Exercising with Parkinson’s Disease
When being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), you may find yourself anxious about how to live with the disease. Although the disease itself has no cure, it is very possible to live well with PD. However, this generally means that you will need to work with your doctor to determine
What to do if Someone is Having a Seizure
Did you know that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) an estimated 1 out of every 10 people will experience a seizure at some point during their lifetime? Being present when someone is having a seizure can be scary, especially if you want to help but
What You Need to Know About Brain Aneurysms
How much do you know about brain aneurysms? Chances are, unless you or a loved one has experienced a brain aneurysm, probably not much. In some cases, what you do know about brain aneurysms may be the result of watching medical dramas on TV. Even if you do have a
Things You Didn’t Know About the Brain
The brain is the most fascinating organ in the human body. There is still so much about it that is not completely understood. Even so, there are also a number of things that you may not even know about your own brain. Here are some of the most interesting things
The Most Common Types of Brain Tumors
Did you know that there are approximately 130 different types of brain tumors? A brain tumor is a collection of abnormal cells that accumulate in the brain. Brain tumors can be cancerous or non-cancerous, however both types can be potentially damaging to the brain. This is because the brain is
Are Women More Likely to Develop Alzheimer’s Disease?
When it comes to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, many people like to say that the disease does not discriminate and can affect anyone. While this is certainly true, there are uncontrollable factors that can make certain individuals more susceptible to developing Alzheimer’s disease than others. Recently, one of these potential
Types of Headaches (And When to be Concerned)
June is National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month (MHAM) where the headache, migraine, and cluster communities work together to raise public awareness, address stigmas, and build a stronger community of headache, migraine, and cluster advocates. The World Health Organization notes that headache disorders are the most common nervous system disorder