Your brain acts as the control center of your body, controlling myriad physiological processes including movement, cognitive functioning, hormone synthesis and emotional regulation. Inflammation in your brain, or the tissue surrounding your brain,...
Encephalitis is the medical term for the inflammation of the brain, an inflammation which is usually caused by a virus. The viral infection irritates the brain and causes it to swell. The treatment may include fluids, nutrition and various...
Close to 80 percent of American adults consume caffeine every day, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Caffeine is found naturally in more than 60 plants, including the beans that make your morning cup of coffee. Caffeine is best known...
You may have heard recommendations for pregnant women to consume foods high in folic acid, such as orange juice, spinach and fortified breakfast cereals, to help development of the unborn child’s brain. However, folic acid may also help...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, estimates that 30 percent of Americans develop shingles during their lifetime. The disease results when the varicella-zoster virus--the same virus that causes chickenpox--reawakens in...
Patients with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) experience inflammation and damage to the myelin coatings of the nerves in their brains. A major part of the treatment of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is to reduce this brain...
Caffeine is a stimulant substance that achieves its effects by making changes in your central nervous system, which includes your brain and spinal cord. While consumption of caffeine can negatively impact your health, it does not physically damage...
Viral encephalitis is a medical condition characterized by severe brain inflammation caused by a virus. A number of viral infections, such as herpes simplex virus, measles, Epstein-Barr virus and varicella zoster virus, can cause brain...
Celery is a green vegetable that grows in a bunch from the ground. The leaves on the top of celery stalks have an appearance similar to parsley. Celery is crunchy, grass-like in flavor and provides an ample amount of moisture. The culinary uses of...
Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that is characterized by repeated and unexpected seizures or convulsions. Seizures occur as a result of abnormally excited electrical signals in the brain. According to the National Institute of Neurological...
Stress may quadruple your chances of developing Alzhemier's, according to Helpguide.org. Lowering your stress through breathing exercises may therefore prevent Alzhemier's. Marc Schoen, PhD., in a 2002 "Yoga Journal" article, "The Downside of...
Encephalitis, in general, is an inflammation of the brain. Viral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation resulting from a viral infection. Viral encephalitis is rare, but when it does occur it can be serious and life-threatening. In its primary...
Just as your body requires specific nutrients for health and normal functioning, so does your brain. As one of the most important brain functions, memory formation and retention demand its own set of specific nutrients for optimal functioning....
In recent years, there is growing evidence neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are related to inflammation and free radical activity. Although the cause of neurodegeneration is multifactorial, nutrition can play...
Arginine is one of the 20 common amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Arginine is responsible for the secretion of hormones such as growth hormone, glucagon and insulin. It also assists in wound healing, helps remove excess...
Arginine is an amino acid that is in proteins and makes nitric oxide, a gas inside your blood vessels that relaxes your arteries and increases blood flow. Arginine has potential medicinal properties in the prevention and treatment of...
Equipped to handle invaders such as viruses, bacteria and a variety of other microorganisms, your immune system works hard to protect your body from illness. If you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system can go haywire, attacking your body...
Migraines are painful headaches that can last for a few hours or several days. The exact causes vary, but may include genetics; brain tumor; hormone fluctuations; brain structure or function abnormalities; stress; certain foods; changes in sleep...
Shingles (herpes zoster) can erupt years after having chickenpox from the dormant viral infection that remains in your body. The malady tends to show up on only one side (hemisphere) of your body with tingling, sometimes painful nerve inflammation...
Cysts are small pouches of fluid that can form on organs anywhere in the body. Brain cysts can be caused by developmental abnormalities and may be present at birth, causing them to be classified as primary brain cysts. Secondary brain cysts, on...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommend vaccinating babies against the flu because babies, in particular, are at high risk for severe flu-related complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation. While the flu...
For most HIV patients, the progression of the disease to the advanced stage of AIDS is relatively slow and can take years. The Centers for Disease Control will not classify a person with AIDS until his CD4 count has dropped to less than 200 and he...
Measles, also known as rubeola, refers to a common and contagious viral illness that commonly affects children. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, dry cough, conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eyes),...
Viral meningitis is an inflammatory condition caused by a virus that infects the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. This condition--also referred to as aseptic meningitis--is most frequently diagnosed in children under the age of...
Food allergies occur in about 6 to 8 percent of kids under the age of 5 and up to 4 percent of adults, according to MayoClinic.com. A food allergy, unlike intolerance, is an immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food....
Patients who develop inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord can be diagnosed with a condition called meningitis. This inflammatory condition typically develops due to a bacterial or viral infection and is most commonly...
Cytomegalovirus is a type of herpes virus that most Americans are exposed to during their lives. It remains in the body forever but usually causes no harm beyond a mild flu-like infection of two weeks or less. For newborns or those with a weak...
Water in the ear is caused by infection, and children are more prone to this condition than adults. Swimmer's ear is an infection of the ear canal that often occurs in people who swim frequently, but it can happen when anything, including vigorous...
The majority of sinus infections are annoying and effectively treated with antibiotics or natural therapies. Other sinus infections can have serious consequences that can turn into life threatening conditions, according to the American Rhinologic...
The mumps, or epidemic parotitis, typically presents as severe swelling of the salivary glands. Learn more about the mumps including treatment options in this medical video.
Meningitis is an inflammation of meninges, membranes that protect the brain or spinal cord. Find facts on meningitis including treatment options in this video.
Meningitis is an inflammation of meninges, membranes that protect the brain or spinal cord. Find the facts on viral meningitis including treatment options in this video.
Living with back pain makes many everyday activities more painful. Learn common treatments to relieve back pain in this video.
Measles, also called rubeola, is primarily a respiratory infection caused by a highly contagious virus found all over the world. Measles can be serious, especially in small children. Learn about the different causes of, symptoms of, and...