Spinal strokes occur when major arteries leading to the spinal cord thicken or close. According to the National Stroke Association, during a spinal stroke, blocked blood flow causes brain cells to die. Complications of such a stroke depend on how...
A spinal cord stroke, medically known as a spinal infarction, occurs when the blood supply to the spinal cord closes or thickens. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, the spinal cord depends on blood to...
A spinal cord stroke is the block of one of the blood vessels in the spinal cord or of one of the arteries that supply blood to the spinal cord. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (NINDS) states that a spinal cord stroke...
The physical limitations on work activities after a spinal cord injury can vary widely, depending on the location and severity of the injury. While some people can retain full functionality after healing from a spinal cord injury, others...
The Lokomat is a robotic treadmill used for treating patients suffering from spinal cord or brain injuries, stroke, cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. It first appeared in hospitals and treatment centers, but can increasingly be found in health...
Muscle relaxants are widely utilized in the treatment of both acute, self-limited conditions and chronic diseases in order to help alleviate pain from muscle spasms and help return a patient to his previous level of activity. They are prescribed...
Robotic treadmill training is an effective way to treat patients that have suffered from traumatic spinal cord or brain injuries, stroke, cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Studies indicate this type of training increases activity in parts of...
Muscle reflex tests are used to indicate the health of the brain and nervous system and to help diagnose neuromuscular disease or nerve injury. A reflex is a nerve circuit between a muscle and the brain or spinal cord in the central nervous...
Paraplegia is a major medical condition characterized by partial or complete paralysis of the lower extremities. This type of paralysis occurs as a result of damage to certain areas of the spinal cord, which runs from your neck to your lower back....
When the spinal cord is damaged, sensation and movement are often impaired or lost below the level of injury. While there is no cure for spinal cord injuries, research into spinal cord regeneration is ongoing. One of the possible treatments under...
The spinal column is a complex web of nerves and bones that runs vertically along the back of the human body. The nerves within the spinal cord allow messages to be sent back and forth between the brain and various parts of the body, such as the...
Muscle twitches, also known as fasciculations, occur commonly in healthy people. Often these twitches have no known cause. Sometimes caffeine or stress can make them worse, as MedlinePlus explains. Twitches can come and go, and usually don't last...
Spinal cord tumors are abnormal growths that occur in the spinal column. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, these growths often occur in the cells that surround and protect nerve cells. Symptoms of spinal...
Impotence also goes by the name "erectile dysfunction (ED)." According to the Mayo Clinic, this occurs when a man is unable to maintain a firm erection long enough to have sex. Having this problem for a long period of time can become stressful and...
Skeletal muscles most commonly spasm in response to an acute injury or as a consequence of misuse or overuse. They can also occur as a side effect of prescribed medications and as a result of chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral...
Urine, excess liquid and waste, filtered out of the blood by the kidneys, empties into the bladder. If the bladder doesn't empty completely, urine left in the bladder may start to crystallize, which can form bladder stones, according to...
If you suffer from back, neck or sciatic pain, the inversion table will interest you. The inversion table allows you to lie on a bed-type surface, strap yourself in for safety and gradually lower your body so that your feet point up and your head...
Spinal cord injuries are fairly common, and can result in a range of disabilities from mild pain and weakness to complete paralysis. According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), between 10,000 and 12,000 new...
Rehabilitation after injury is one of the best ways to return to full function. Rehab may consist of certain medications, the application of ultrasound or microcurrent therapy, ice massage, bed rest and exercise. It may even involve re-learning to...
A spinal cord injury can happen to just about anyone, though most occur in young men. According to the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), approximately 25 percent of Americans are currently living with some form of...
The spinal cord is an essential element of the nervous system that runs the length of the back and is encased within the vertebrae for protection. The spinal vertebrae are numbered according to their corresponding sections of the spinal cord,...
Spinal cord injury occurs when the vertebrae are fractured by excessive force during an automobile accident, sports-related blow or fall. The fractured vertebrae cause mobility problems and in more severe cases where the spinal cord is actually...
Fecal incontinence, also known as bowel incontinence, is a condition that causes an inability to control bowel movements. This can lead to stool leaking out of the rectum unexpectedly. This condition can range from a small leakage of stool while...
A spinal cord injury can result in partial or total paralysis and your exercise program can vary widely depending on your condition. With a spinal cord injury, the goal is to help restore as much movement and strength to your affected body parts...
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke points out that most spinal cord injuries cause the vertebrae to fracture or compress and do not completely sever the spinal cord tissue. The signs of a spinal cord injury can vary,...
Body supported treadmill training, also known as bodyweight-supported treadmill therapy, is a method of rehabilitating an injured gait by using an overhead suspension system to support the upper body, minimizing the amount of weight that the lower...
People that must use a wheelchair --- even a power wheelchair --- to get around need some mobility in the hand and fingers to operate the joystick for direction and speed. While some powered wheelchairs may be used with a mouthpiece that operates...
Each part of the human brain is responsible for functions in the body. The brain is made up of three major sections: the cerebrum, the cerebellum and the brain stem. The cerebrum is divided into two parts, the left hemisphere and the right...
The bladder is a hollow organ that is part of the body's excretory, or urinary, system. The bladder is located in the lower abdomen and is responsible for storing urine until it is eliminated from the body. Bladder disorders most commonly result...
