Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, is characterized by significant memory impairment. The effects of Alzheimer's are not reversible. The disease becomes progressively worse with age and is fatal. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual...
The use of marijuana, or cannabis, is widespread in the United States. At least 40 percent of Americans have tried it. Marijuana use among adolescents and teens is high, with 20 percent of all 12th graders describing themselves as current users,...
In an instant, a stroke can wipe away a lifetime of memories, abilities and comprehension of the world. Also known as brain attack, a stroke occurs when the brain is robbed of the flow of blood, either through blockage or a bursting blood vessel...
Marijuana, derived from the hemp, Cannabis sativa, is the most frequently used illegal substance in the United States, where it continues to be a controversial topic of legal debate. Marijuana has many slang names, such as pot, weed and grass....
Even though your child is sleeping less than when he was as a baby, and might have even outgrown naps, sleep is still an important part of his development. According to the website KidsHealth, children who are short on sleep may exhibit extreme...
Xanax is the trademarked name of alprazolam, which belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines that are commonly prescribed to treat panic attacks. While Xanax use is sometimes associated with several immediate side effects, long-term use...
According to Children's Hospital Boston, brain tumors are the most common solid tumors found in children, with approximately 2,200 children and teenagers diagnosed each year in the United States. Symptoms of brain tumors vary depending on the...
Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are both considered medical anomalies in the sense that each causes debilitating symptoms for reasons unknown. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, estimates that up to 4 million...
Alzheimer's disease is a neuro-degenerative disorder characterized by progressive impairment of memory and cognitive functions. Impairment of short-term memory is usually the first symptom of the disease, while the retrieval of distant memories...
Short term memory loss, also referred to as cognitive decline, can be the result of an underlying disease. The causes of short-term memory loss include anxiety, depression, early Alzheimer's disease, stroke, head trauma, substance abuse, hormone...
Caffeine is widely known as a mild stimulant. People drink coffee or tea for a quick pick-me-up, or use an energy drink or over-the-counter caffeine pill to help them stay awake. Studies show that consuming caffeine may help your mental focus in...
ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects an estimated 5.4 million children ages 4 to 17, according to the Centers for Disease Control statistics from 2007. Children with ADHD have trouble focusing and often act without thinking,...
According to the American Council for Drug Education, there are nearly 15 million alcoholics in America. In addition, alcohol contributes to nearly 100,000 deaths annually. Various drugs produce different effects on the body. Some stimulants or...
Memory is a type of ability that allows you to store information you have encountered in the form of memories. Memories are the result of a complex process involving the brain. The cerebral cortex and the hippocampus in the brain help process...
Cigarette smokers may feel that their tobacco addiction is far less harmful than smoking an illegal drug such as marijuana. Marijuana smokers who abstain from tobacco sometimes boast that their drug of choice is safer than cigarettes. The truth is...
If you are living with a condition called chronic fatigue syndrome or just feeling unusually tired all of the time, there are ways to manage your symptoms. Chronic fatigue syndrome is also called chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome....
Marijuana is a drug that comes from the cannabis plant and contains high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that creates a euphoric high. While marijuana is not physically addicting, the brain becomes accustomed to the dopamine release provided...
Alcoholism develops when a person has a strong craving to drink, a loss of control that makes it difficult to stop drinking, a tolerance to alcohol that requires larger amounts of alcohol when drinking and a physical dependence on alcohol. The...
Vitamin B12, or cobalamin, is a large, complex molecule and one of eight compounds classified as a B vitamin. B-12 is required primarily for higher brain functions and red blood cell production, although its functions overlap with those of folic...
The symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease include memory loss, challenges in problem solving, difficulty performing tasks, confusion with time or place, change in personality, and many other indications. Studies show that the use of single Chinese herbs...
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a large, complex molecule primarily associated with higher brain functions, red blood cell production and cellular metabolism. Those with dementia symptoms or blood anemia sometimes supplement with B12,...
According to the 2008 national survey on drug use, reported by the Office of Applied Studies, an estimated 20 million Americans over the age of 12 engage in illicit drug use such as marijuana, cocaine and non-prescribed pharmaceuticals, in any...
Alcoholism doesn't just affect a person socially and occupationally. It can also have long-lasting affects on health. People who drink heavily and regularly can damage their brain, liver, pancreas and heart. If someone you know drinks often and...
Liver problems associated with alcohol use and abuse involve the irritation, inflammation and scarring of the liver. It typically develops after years of excessive drinking, explains the National Institutes of Health. This can eventually damage...
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of senile dementia. According to the Alzheimer's Association, about 5.3 million Americans suffer from the disease. Alzheimer's affects the brain, causing it to shrink, and is associated with the growth...
Depressants are a type of drug that diminish activity in the central nervous system. They include alcohol and prescription drugs such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines. The Partnership for a Drug-Free American points out that marijuana and...
Senile dementia is a growing problem in the United States, with more people displaying symptoms at younger ages. Short-term memory loss, impaired cognition, confusion and inappropriate behavior are common symptoms of dementia. The most common form...
Leg paralysis is a total loss of movement in one or both of the lower extremities because of injury or disease. The damage that is present is applied to the specific nerves that supply power to the leg muscles. Specifically, nerve damage resulting...
A concussion is any injury to the brain that causes temporary loss of function, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Most people with concussion never lose consciousness but they may experience short term memory loss;...