While anesthesia can be risky, it is a common practice used during a vast majority of surgical procedures. Anesthesia is a mix of pain relief and sensation administered before a surgery under the direction of an anesthesiologist. Anesthesia can be...
The term stroke refers to a sudden decrease in blood flow to an area of the brain. Strokes can be either hemorrhagic, caused by bleeding from one of the blood vessels, or ischemic, caused by blockage of a blood vessel supplying the brain....
Migraine headaches affect about 11 percent of the population, women more often than men, according to Medline Plus. These headaches cause severe pain and illness, often disrupting work and daily activities. Basilar artery migraines are those...
The food poisoning you get from canned food is called botulism. It is most common in home-canned goods, but it is also possible to pick it up from processed canned foods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), botulism...
Lithium is a soft alkali metal similar in nature to sodium and potassium. It occurs naturally in some local water supplies. Lithium is used to treat manic depression, but may also be useful in treating migraine cluster headaches, low white blood...
Found in the neck, the carotid arteries supply oxygen rich blood to the brain. The arteries lie on each side of the jaw and run down the side of the neck. Some individuals experience a narrowing of these arteries because of plaque buildup. Also, a...
Addiction is a physical and psychological dependence on certain substances or prescription medication. An individual who struggles with addiction has a difficult time controlling the amount of the substance he uses even if the addiction effects...
Multiple sclerosis typically appears from the ages of 20 to 40. Women experience multiple sclerosis more than men. This disease involves malfunction of the central nervous system. The communication system between the brain and various areas of the...
Dilantin (phenytoin) is an anti-epileptic (anticonvulsant) medication available as an extended or immediate release capsule, chewable tablet or oral suspension. Dilantin is available by prescription only and works by inhibiting seizures in brain...
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies blood to the brain becomes clogged or begins to leak, according to Cedar-Sinai Medical Center. Without sufficient blood supply, nerve cells in the brain become damaged and unable to carry out body...
Diclofenac sodium is a type of prescription medication classified as a NSAID or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It is indicated to relieve pain and inflammation in a variety of conditions and diseases, such as arthritis, by inhibiting the...
In early stages, the progressive muscle disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, causes weakness, slurred speech, muscle cramps and twitching. As the disease progresses and muscles waste away, movement,...
People commonly confuse the terms amyl nitrate and amyl nitrite, as both substances are used as street drugs for recreational purposes. Amyl nitrate is a chemical often used as a fuel additive, while amyl nitrite is a prescription medication...
Blood sugar levels above or below the normal range can be potentially dangerous if not recognized and treated. According to the book "Current Diagnosis & Treatment Emergency Medicine," blood glucose less than 50 mg/dL is considered low blood...
Painful tingling throughout our body can leave you debilitated, in chronic pain and dependent on others. This tingling is a symptom of many conditions, and discovering the source is imperative for proper treatment. Consult with your health care...
Psychosis refers to a variety of mental illnesses that make a person feel disconnected from reality. Those suffering with psychosis may also have very distorted views of what reality is. The most well known forms of psychosis include bipolar...
Depressants are a class of drugs that are often prescribed to reduce the symptoms of conditions such as anxiety. However, they have side effects, are addictive and can be abused.
Migraines are debilitating, recurring headaches. They are often triggered by sensitivity to light or noise and strong smells and could be accompanied by nausea, vomiting or slurred speech. Keeping a detailed log of when and where all migraines...
Drug addiction often starts as an experimentation with the use of a substance. If the feeling experienced satisfies the person, he may try it again. After a few times using a particular substance, the person begins to become addicted...
The two main types of stroke are ischemic, which is caused by an interruption in the brain's blood flow, and hemorrhagic, which is caused by blood leaking into the brain. The way a stroke affects someone depends largely on where in the brain the...
The nerves of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system are responsible for providing sensation and movement to specific areas of the body. Any damage to the nerves, either caused by trauma or an underlying condition, can result in...
The University of Maryland Medical Center defines tingling and numbness as abnormal sensations that can occur in any part of the body, but most frequently occur in the limbs and extremities. Tingling and numbness have a variety of causes, most of...
Head injuries include trauma to the scalp, skull and brain. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur annually in the United States, causing 52,000 deaths. Of greatest...
A closed head injury is a blow to the head that does not cause the skull to fracture. The blow shakes the brain or slams it against the skull. This causes a concussion, bruising or bleeding in the brain. Closed head injury symptoms can occur...
Both heart attacks and stroke are emergency situations that if not treated can have serious complications and poor outcomes for patients. Recognizing the signs and symptoms could save your life as well as someone else's life. Whenever anyone is...
Concussions are a type of brain injury that commonly occurs after a blow to the head. Concussions interfere with typical brain functioning, causing mild symptoms such as headache to severe symptoms such as loss of consciousness or memory. These...
Tendinitis is the inflammation of the fibrous cord that attaches muscle to bone caused by overuse or injury. Tendinitis can affect any tendon, but those at the elbow, heel, shoulder and wrist are more commonly affected. If you have tendinitis, you...
Football players are vulnerable candidates for experiencing concussions throughout their athletic career due to hard impacts and strong blows to the head. Common signs and symptoms of an athlete who has sustained a concussion can involve cognitive...
Botulism is a rare but very serious condition. It's caused by toxin produced by bacteria called clostridium botulinum. The toxins that this bacterium produces are among the most poisonous substances. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and...
A concussion is the most common type of brain injury, often occurring in bike and car accidents or during sports. Learn tips on handling concussion in this video.
Headaches can be part of living a busy, hectic lifestyle. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of headaches in this video.
Smoking can cause blood clots, which over time can induce a stroke. Learn some tips for preventing and treating strokes in this medical video.
