If your child is experiencing any type of drooling or slurred speech, it could be an indication he is suffering from an underlying medical condition or disease. Because children are still developing mentally and physically, it is important to find...
A stroke can cause many changes in your lifestyle because it can rearrange how your brain works and may force you to relearn things you knew. It also can cause partial paralysis, typically to one side of your body. When the flow of blood to your...
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,...
Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide. Prompt medical attention can mean the difference between recovery or significant disability, even death. It's important to recognize the symptoms of stroke and seek...
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,...
Parkinson's Disease starts very slowly, and at first the symptoms are barely noticeable. Over time, as more symptoms pile up, the signs often point to Parkinson's. The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) breaks the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease...
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...
A stroke is when blood being routed to part of the brain is stopped, restricted, or disrupted. This can be caused by a blood clot, a heart irregularity, high blood pressure, an aneurysm, or an inherited condition. There are some signs of a stroke...
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....
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...
Mild strokes and TIA's (transient ischemic attacks) are caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. They may be warning signs that a more severe stroke or heart attack is in the near future. The signs and symptoms of a mild stroke are similar to...
An angiogram is an X-ray of the arteries and vessels that supply blood to the heart or brain. A catheter is inserted into a blood vessel from the arm or groin. Once in position, a dye is released into the artery, which makes the vessels visible...
Acebutolol, sold with the brand name Sectral, is a prescription-level medication administered by itself or with other drugs in the treatment of hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. It also may be prescribed for ventricular arrhythmia,...
Janumet is a drug used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. It is a combination of sitagliptin and metformin, two medications also used separately to treat diabetes. Metformin, in fact, often is the first medication prescribed for Type 2 diabetes,...
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...
Injuring your head may cause a concussion, which is a brain injury. This could be from a fall, from running into something or by someone hitting you. The Mayo Clinic reports that whatever the severity of the concussion, the result is interference...
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, with an estimated 700,000 occurrences per year, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is...
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...
Effective communication skills are important at your office and in your personal life. The strength of your communication skills can determine how much you advance in your career. These skills can also determine how well you make friends or...
Alprazolam is the generic name for a benzodiazapine, which is a depressant of your central nervous system. It is used in the treatment of anxiety whether it is separate from or associated with depression, and it may be prescribed for panic...
Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is progressive and fatal. The disease affects the nerve cells that control the voluntary muscles. Because this disease affects some of the most important functions of the body, it...
A host of bothersome symptoms accompanies migraines, chronic headaches that cause significant pain for hours or days, afflicting approximately 30 million Americans, according to the Neurology Channel. These symptoms can indicate the onset of a...
Dilantin is used to combat seizures in people who have epilepsy. It is used most often against grand mal seizures. These attacks cause the victim to lose consciousness, then convulse. There are both short-term and long-term side effects from the...
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...
Heparin is an intravenous-administered drug to help prevent blood clots from forming in the bloodstream. It is called an anticoagulant. According to the Mayo Clinic, it won't get rid of existing clots, but can be used to keep such problems from...
Morphine was the first modern opium-derived medication designed to help reduce pain. It was isolated first in 1803 by Friedrich Serturner, a German pharmacist who dubbed his discovery "morphium" as a play on the Greek god Morpheus whose...
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...
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.
