The detrimental effects of smoking increase with age, yet the likelihood of quitting decreases. Elderly smokers benefit significantly from smoking cessation but may adopt a "damage is done" attitude about quitting. Although elderly smokers may not...
Peripheral neuropathy is a painful condition that, if severe enough, can risk ending any runner's career. The condition is caused by nerve damage that creates tingling, numbness and pain in the hands and feet. Though doctors once urged strict...
A transient ischemic attack offers a warning, according to the American Heart Association. Symptoms resembling a stroke occur during such an attack, but subside. More than half of those who suffer a TIA will have a stroke, typically within a year....
Peripheral neuropathy is best described as a problem with the nerves in the outer extremities of the body. Any sort of damage, trauma or pressure to a nerve or grouping of nerves can disrupt the pathways of communication between the brain and...
Verapamil is a medication that is designed to block channels that can lead to irregular heart beats. Verapamil also blocks these channels in blood vessels to cause a lowering of blood pressure and exertional chest pain. In addition, Verapamil has...
According to the American Academy of Neurology, headaches comprise one of the most common problems leading to physician consultation. Headaches may present due to serious medical illness or for a variety of other reasons. MayoClinic.com terms...
Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis or SPMS is diagnosed when there is a steady progression of neurological damage with or without relapses, remissions and plateaus after a period of Relapsing/Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). Physical...
There are several practical reasons to use proper body mechanics when performing physical tasks. Not only do you reduce the risk of injury to yourself or others, but using the correct techniques also can keep you from becoming overly fatigued when...
The American Academy of Neurology's Quality Standards Subcommittee defines a concussion as a change in mental status brought on by some sort of traumatic head injury that may or may not result in a loss of consciousness. While typical symptoms of...
Arachnoiditis is a painful condition that causes inflammation of the arachnoid, one of the membranes that envelops and protects spinal nerves. This condition usually affects the lower back and legs, often causing painful spasms, numbness or...
The Mediterranean diet has been studied for its effect on preventing disease. The diet focuses on eating fruits, nuts, whole grains and vegetables and typically a bit of red wine. Fish, poultry and low consumption of red meat, combined with fatty...
Epilepsy occurs when the normal electric activity in the brain gets disrupted causing abnormal tastes and smells as well as convulsions, according to the American Academy of Neurology. Epilepsy can often be treated with medications, but for some...
Diabetics are prone to nerve damage, particularly in their feet. High blood glucose levels cause damage to the nerves in the feet, resulting in pain and numbness. The loss of feeling in the feet makes the diabetic prone to unnoticed injuries,...
Although the average human brain only weighs roughly 1,400 g, it is the most important organ in the human body. Along with all basic ways to keep the entire body healthy, the brain also requires specific vitamins and nutrients for survival. There...
Drinking milk is a way for pregnant women to get the calcium they need for a healthy pregnancy. Most milk sold in grocery stores is homogenized. Homogenized milk is treated so the fat globules don't separate from the rest of the milk. With...
Lower back pain is a common problem, whether it's because of constantly sitting in front of a computer, improper lifting techniques or an imbalance between the muscles of your abdomen and back. Treatment for back pain often involves exercises to...
Neuropathy is a condition caused by damage to your nerves that can occur as a result of injury, prescription medications or other conditions. The condition affects tens of millions of people in the United States, and is a common condition among...
Head twitching in babies doesn't always mean that your baby has a serious problem. In some cases, twitching occurs simply because a baby has an immature nervous system. She may soon grow out of these movements. However, if twitches are vigorous,...
The forearm ischemic exercise test, sometimes referred to as a forearm exercise test, is a blood test that measures ammonia and lactate levels during both exercise and rest periods. The test is commonly used to determine the body's ability to...
Vertigo is a type of dizziness that makes it seem as if your environment is spinning around you. Although a medical professional should evaluate your vertigo to rule out serious causes such as a brain abnormality, certain exercises can help with...
If you've suffered a stroke, you may have brain damage that limits your ability to do many activities that were easy for you prior to the stroke, from walking steadily to remembering conversational details. But your current limitations may be only...
Muscle cramps can result from excessive exercise, dehydration, muscle injuries or sometimes just from sitting in a certain position for a long period of time. Some medical conditions such as diabetes, anemia, mineral deficiencies, kidney or...
In Parkinson's disease, or PD, nerve cells die in an area of the brain controlling movement. The primary motor effects of PD vary in degree, ranging from minor movement impairment to severe disability. However, according to the National Parkinson...
Normal aging causes brain functions to change. Over time, healthy individuals experience the decline of some cognitive ability. Small declines in the area of memory, both visual and verbal, may occur along with some short-term memory loss. The...
Peripheral neuropathy occurs when nerves become compressed, injured or severed. This results in symptoms including pain, numbness, tingling and lack of coordination, particularly in the feet and hands. While these symptoms can make exercise more...
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful illness that affects the nerves in one or both wrists. Repetitive motion such as frequent computer use can lead to this condition, causing numbness or pain in your wrists or fingertips. Talk to your doctor if...
Neuropathy, or peripheral neuropathy, is characterized by painful burning, numbing or tingling sensations in the hands and/or feet due to nerve damage. Various conditions and diseases can cause peripheral neuropathy, including certain infections,...
A healthy, well-balanced diet plays an important role in a strong body and healthy mind. Fruits and vegetables, like apples and blackberries, help boost brain power and stave off mental decline, while healthy proteins, like chicken and eggs, boost...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease caused by the body's own immune system attacking the protective covering (called myelin) around the nerves. MS affects over 400,000 Americans and women are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop the...
