Beginning around 1970, CT scans, or computer axial tomagraphy scans, became a popular imaging tool. They were particularly helpful when imaging areas of the body such as the brain that were otherwise inaccessible. With this new capability,...
Stroke occurs when a clot interrupts the blood flow in the brain or when a blood vessel bursts and damages surrounding brain tissue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, strokes kill an estimated 137,000 Americans...
A cerebral angiogram, which is sometimes called an arteriogram, is a diagnostic procedure that can show doctors how blood flows through the brain, according to MedlinePlus. The test is used to identify problems with blood vessels in the brain that...
Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Stroke Association. Strokes occur when blood stops flowing to one part of the brain, according to Medline Plus. They are life-threatening conditions that...
A stroke occurs when a blood clot or burst blood vessel interrupts blood flow to the brain. Because symptoms of stroke come on suddenly, a patient who is unfamiliar with the signs of stroke may postpone treatment if the symptoms are not severe....
A mini stroke is the common term of a transient ischemic attack, or a TIA. A TIA causes symptoms that mimic a stroke; however, these symptoms often completely resolve after a short time with no lasting effects. The MayoClinic.com refers to a mini...
If you eat a lot of fatty foods, the results may show up as unhealthy cholesterol in your bloodstream. This increases your risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke. If you reduce the type and amount of fat in your diet, you can protect...
Following a heart attack, stroke or diagnosis of a heart condition, it's important for you to follow your doctor's orders regarding lifestyle and diet changes as well as potentially increasing exercise. Exercise can make your heart stronger and...
ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Lou Gehrig was a star baseball player for the New York Yankees in the 1920s and 30s. After he set a major league "iron man" record for starting in the most...
The elderly population is growing, and many people need assistance and care in a healthy and safe environment. The elderly face a broad range of medical and physical needs that require assistance and supervision on a temporary or full-time basis,...
Doctors call a broken blood vessel in the brain a hemorrhagic stroke. This differs from an ischemic stroke, in which a blood vessel in the brain is blocked, but does not rupture. Hemorrhagic stroke can be a life-threatening condition, and prompt...
Early detection of a stroke provides the best chance for recovery. There are several easy tests for determining if someone is experiencing a stroke. A brief neurological assessment can be performed on the spot at the first sign of symptoms. Once...
Brain lesion is a general term for an unusual area of brain tissue, and is typically linked to a brain disorder or injury. Appetite suppressants can sometimes cause side effects related to your brain and nervous system, but brain lesions have not...
Stroke, the third leading cause of death in America as reported by the National Stroke Association, occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. A lack of blood and oxygen causes brain cells to die, which interferes with various abilities...
Cerebral palsy is the result of an injury to the parts of the brain that control muscle tone. It occurs at or before birth or before the age of 2. Depending on where the injury occurs in the brain, and how big it is, muscles can be too tight, too...
Meralgia paresthetica is the term given to symptoms of a burning pain in the thigh. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NNDS, meralgia paresthetica is characterized by a numbness, burning, or tingling in the...
Two out of every three diabetics die from either heart disease or a stroke, according to the American Diabetes Association. When you have diabetes, your risk for high cholesterol, among other negative health effects and diseases, increases. High...
Heart disease is usually a result of high cholesterol, according to Massachusetts General Hospital. Because more Americans die each year from heart disease than any other cause, high cholesterol needs to be treated to limit the risk of developing...
CVT is a rare form of stroke that doctors have discovered to be more common than previously thought. Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) typically affects young people and, most often, women who are pregnant or taking oral contraceptives. Symptoms...
Heart palpitations are best described as racing or pounding heartbeats. This unusual sensation, however, can manifest in other ways as well, including what often feels like your heart is skipping a beat --- also known as an ectopic heartbeat. A...
Alzheimer's disease progressively kills brain cells, deleting memories, muddling analytical thinking, altering personality and ultimately limiting mobility. As the most common form of dementia in people over the age of 65, according to the...
Brain atrophy and cerebral atrophy are terms used when there is a loss of tissue in the brain. This means there is a loss of brain cells and, in some cases, a loss of nerve conduction between cells. Atrophy can affect the entire brain or be...
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...
Your brain controls all functions of your body, from walking and speaking, to eating and drinking. When a stroke occurs, blood flow to the brain stops. Without blood flow, brain cells begin to die, damaging the part of the brain where the stroke...
The symptoms of a stroke in the elderly are the same as the symptoms of stroke in younger people. The problem with diagnosing a stroke in an older person is that many of these symptoms, which are alarming in a younger person, are easily mistaken...
According to a 2007 survey in the "Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research," the prevalence of nocturnal leg cramps has increased. It grew from 2.6 % in 1987 to 5.8 % in 1995. Such cramps can exist in isolation, or they can indicate...
Cerebral palsy is a condition that affects young children. It causes limitations in motor neuron coordination, meaning movement is affected. Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition, so it can lead to other brain conditions such as stroke....
In 1961, when scientists working on the Framingham Heart Project sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute first identified cholesterol as a risk factor for heart disease, they probably had little notion how important that...
Warm weather dries out your favorite roads and trails and lets you take your running routine outside. While the warm season may seem like the best time to get out and train, be aware of the risks that come with the sun. Heat illnesses can quickly...
