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...
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a nervous system disorder that results in severe muscle weakness, paralysis and eventually death. ALS attacks motor neurons, or nerve cells, in the brain and the spinal cord,...
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known as both ALS and Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurological disease that is serious and for which there is no cure. While it was categorized in the 1870s by Jean-Marie Charcot, the "father of neurology," it became...
The two carotid arteries carry oxygen and nutrients in the form of blood from the heart to the brain. If you experience a blockage within one or both of your carotid arteries, you can experience a transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke) or stroke....
Phencyclidine, also known as PCP or angel dust, is an illicit drug once used in the 1950s as an intravenous anesthetic medication, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. PCP is available as a powder, tablet or capsule. You can snort,...
Learn how acute cerebellar ataxia manifests itself physically so you can identify it in you or your child. Acute cerebellar ataxia is a sudden onset of uncoordinated muscle movement. It usually has the most effect on your trunk area (from your...
Strokes affect people differently. The impairments following a stroke depend on how severe the stroke damage is, as well as where in the brain the stroke took place. Impairments following a stroke may change over time, as the brain heals after its...
The safety of aspartame, also known as Nutrasweet or Equal, has been called into question by many health care advocates as well as the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) after giving the manufacturer of the sweetener a green light to introduce it...
Botox is the brand name in the United States of a form of bacterial poison called botulinum toxin type A. This substance causes botulism, a poisoning typically found in infected food. As Botox, however, the concentration is both low and purified....
Many people take drastic measures to preserve the appearance of youth. But when creams and lotions aren't enough, some turn to Botox injections. Botox is injected into wrinkles and lines (particularly on the forehead, around the eyes and mouth)...
Aspartame is a noncaloric, artificial sweetener used in diet drinks and other commercially prepared foods. Aspartame has been on the market since the 1980s under several names, including Nutrasweet, Equal and Canderel. However, questions have...
If you are diagnosed with an arrhythmia or a rapid heart rate, your doctor might prescribe Sotalol. Sotalol is a prescription medication that's in the class of drugs known as beta-blockers. They help slow the heart rate by controlling the nerve...
There are a few precious minutes to recognize the signs of a massive stroke and get emergency medical assistance before the cells of the brain begin to die. According to doctors at the Mayo Clinic, a stroke results when the brain is deprived of...
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called ALS, is a neurological condition that results in muscle weakness and eventual death. This disease commonly starts as muscle weakness and twitching in an arm or leg. It may also begin with slurring of your...
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of deaths from cancer in the United States. Its smoke contains a harmful and powerful ingredient known as nicotine that makes you physically and psychologically addicted to cigarettes. Smoking becomes a habit...
A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that supplies some part of the brain either gets blocked by a clot (called an ischemic stroke) or ruptures (called a hemorrhagic stroke). Both events can cause blood and necessary oxygen delivery to be disrupted...
Both glyburide and metformin are the generic names of two types of medications used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, or diabetes mellitus. The two are combined in a brand name drug called Glucovance. Metformin, often the first medication...
Feldene is an oral, prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that you take for the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, says Drugs.com. You will notice the therapeutic benefits of Feldene soon after you begin taking it,...
Cirrhosis of the liver is a condition in which the tissue of the liver slowly deteriorates. As a result of chronic damage, non-functional scar tissue replaces functional liver tissue. The progression of cirrhosis is described in four distinct...
A small stroke, or mini stroke, is also known as a transient ischemic attack, or TIA. According to MayoClinic.com, a small stroke can serve as a warning: about a third of all people who have a TIA go on to have a full stroke, often within a year...
Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot, or thrombus, forms in one of the blood vessels that feed a portion of the brain. This blood clot can diminish or even stop blood flow to some portion of the brain and cause the cells at that location to...
The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord. Sometimes, an infection can infiltrate the brain and wreak havoc on the entire body. In some cases, chemicals in the brain can change and lead to movement problems. Also, tissues...
Bipolar disorder is marked by periods of extreme low mood and extreme high mood that may last weeks or months each before swinging to the opposite. There are a number of classifications of drugs used to treat bipolar disorder, including mood...
Quinine is a medication given mainly for malaria treatment. It can be given alone or along with other medications. Malaria is spread through mosquito bites and seen mostly in tropical climates. Quinine can also be used in the treatment of the...
Activella, a medication used to treat the symptoms of menopause, is a combination of two hormones--estradiol, a form of estrogen, and norethindrone, a form of progesterone. When combined into one medication, these hormones help relieve hot flashes...
Taking omega-3 supplements is generally safe, but high doses of the supplements may cause negative side effects. Omega-3 supplements include fish, krill, cod and flaxseed oil and are often used for heart and cardiovascular benefits. Though you do...
Parkinson's disease is a condition affecting your nerve cells that control the movement of muscles in the body. Parkinson's can be debilitating because it can severely affect your balance and coordination as well. Symptoms of Parkinson's mat...
Lou Gehrig's disease, medically known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, refers to a severe and potentially life-threatening neurological disorder associated with such symptoms as trouble swallowing, slurring of the speech, weakness of the feet or...
Drinking alcoholic beverages is a staple in many cultures, including the United States. Drinking is common in many social settings, but the line between what is acceptable alcohol consumption and what is alcohol abuse is sometimes thin. Alcohol...
Smoking can cause blood clots, which over time can induce a stroke. Learn some tips for preventing and treating strokes in this medical video.
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.
