Absence of the septum pellucidum or corpus callosum, caused by mutations in the HESX1 gene, is associated with septo-optic dysplasia. This may result in hypothalamic dysfunction and hypopituitarism, as well as problems of vision, coordination, and intelligence, as well as other unusual symptoms.
Ataxia can also be acquired. Conditions that can cause acquired ataxia include stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumors, alcoholism, peripheral neuropathy, metabolic disorders, and vitamin deficiencies.
Aphasia is a condition that is the result of damage to portions of the brain. It can be caused by stroke, head injury, brain tumor, or infection. There are two types of aphasia, fluent and non-fluent. Some patients may fully recover from aphasia over time, while others may not.
Encephalomyelitis can be caused by a variety of conditions that lead to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Among the common causes of encephalomyelitis are viruses which infect the nervous system.One type of encephalomyelitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, occurs most commonly after an acute viral infection such as measles (rubeola) and is due to be an autoimmune attack upon the nervous system.
A congenital abnormality (a birth defect) in which there is partial or complete absence (agenesis) of the corpus callosum, the area of the brain which connects the two cerebral hemispheres (the two halves of the brain).
Agenesis of the corpus callosum can occur as a severe syndrome in infancy or childhood, as a milder condition in young adults, or as an asymptomatic incidental finding.
A genetic disorder characterized by the partial or complete agenesis of the corpus callosum (the structure that links the 2 hemispheres of the brain), infantile spasms (a characteristic form of childhood seizures), mental retardation, and an ocular (eye) abnormality called chorioretinal lacunae in which there are lacunae (holes) in the retina of the eye.Aicardi syndrome may be associated with other brain defects such as microcephaly (small brain) or porencephalic cysts (cerebrospinal fluid-filled cavities or gaps in the brain). Features associated with Aicardi syndrome include cleft lip and/or palate, fatty tumors (lipomas) of the scalp, blood vessel malformations (cavernous hemangiomas), rib and vertebral defects and scoliosis (curved spine).
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a slowly progressive disease of the brain that is characterized by impairment of memory and eventually by disturbances in reasoning, planning, language, and perception. Many scientists believe that Alzheimer's disease results from an increase in the production or accumulation of a specific protein (beta-amyloid protein) in the brain that leads to nerve cell death.
The likelihood of having Alzheimer's disease increases substantially after the age of 70 and may affect around 50% of persons over the age of 85.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), sometimes called Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rapidly progressive, invariably fatal neurological disease that attacks the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling voluntary muscles. The disease belongs to a group of disorders known as motor neuron diseases, which are characterized by the gradual degeneration and death of motor neurons.Motor neurons are nerve cells located in the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord that serve as controlling units and vital communication links between the nervous system and the voluntary muscles of the body. Messages from motor neurons in the brain (called upper motor neurons) are transmitted to motor neurons in the spinal cord (called lower motor neurons) and from them to particular muscles. In ALS, both the upper motor neurons and the lower motor neurons degenerate or die, ceasing to send messages to muscles. Unable to function, the muscles gradually weaken, waste away (atrophy), and twitch (fasciculations). Eventually, the ability of the brain to start and control voluntary movement is lost.
Angina (angina pectoris - Latin for squeezing of the chest) is chest discomfort that occurs when there is a decreased blood oxygen supply to an area of the heart muscle. In most cases, the lack of blood supply is due to a narrowing of the coronary arteries as a result of arteriosclerosis.
Wobbliness. Incoordination and unsteadiness due to the brain's failure to regulate the body's posture and regulate the strength and direction of limb movements. Ataxia is usually a consequence of disease in the brain, specifically in the cerebellum which lies beneath the back part of the cerebrum.
A developmental disorder that is characterized by impaired development in communication, social interaction, and behavior. Autism is classified as a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), which is part of a broad spectrum of developmental disorders affecting young children and adults--the autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). The range of these disorders varies from severely impaired individuals with autism to other individuals who have abnormalities of social interaction but normal intelligence--Asperger's syndrome. The ways in which autism is exhibited can differ greatly. Additionally, autism can be found in association with other disorders such as mental retardation and certain medical conditions. The degree of autism can range from mild to severe. Mildly affected individuals may appear very close to normal. Severely afflicted individuals may have an extreme intellectual disability and unable to function in almost any setting.In the past, autism has been confused with childhood schizophrenia or childhood psychosis, and may have been misunderstood as schizotypal personality disorder in some adults. As additional research information about autism becomes available, the scope and definition of the condition continues to become more refined. Much of the past confusion about the disorder has been resolved.
An illness that occurs when the body tissues are attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex organization within the body that is designed normally to "seek and destroy" invaders of the body, including infectious agents. Patients with autoimmune diseases frequently have unusual antibodies circulating in their blood that target their own body tissues.Examples of autoimmune diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren syndrome, Hashimoto thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile (type 1) diabetes, polymyositis, scleroderma, Addison disease, vitiligo, pernicious anemia, glomerulonephritis, and pulmonary fibrosis.Autoimmune diseases are more frequent in women than in men. It is felt that the estrogen of females may influence the immune system to predispose some women to autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, the presence of one autoimmune disease increases the chance for developing another simultaneous autoimmune disease.
Batten disease is a fatal, inherited disorder of the nervous system that begins in childhood. Early symptoms of this disorder usually appear between the ages of 5 and 10, when parents or physicians may notice a previously normal child has begun to develop vision problems or seizures. In some cases the early signs are subtle, taking the form of personality and behavior changes, slow learning, clumsiness, or stumbling. Over time, affected children suffer mental impairment, worsening seizures, and progressive loss of sight and motor skills. Eventually, children with Batten disease become blind, bedridden, and demented. Batten disease is often fatal by the late teens or twenties.
Batten disease is named after the British pediatrician who first described it in 1903. Also known as Spielmeyer-Vogt-Sjogren-Batten disease, it is the most common form of a group of disorders called neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (or NCLs). Although Batten disease is usually regarded as the juvenile form of NCL, some physicians use the term Batten disease to describe all forms of NCL.
Paralysis of the facial nerve, the nerve that supplies the facial muscles on one side of the face.
The cause of paralysis of the facial nerve (the 7th cranial nerve) is often not known, but is thought to be due to a virus.
The disease typically starts suddenly and causes paralysis of the muscles of the side of the face on which the facial nerve is affected.
Loss of useful sight. Blindness can be temporary or permanent. Damage to any portion of the eye, the optic nerve, or the area of the brain responsible for vision can lead to blindness. There are numerous (actually, innumerable) causes of blindness. The current politically correct terms for blindness include visually handicapped and visually challenged.
A network of spinal nerves that originates in the back of the neck, extends through the axilla (armpit), and gives rise to nerves to the upper limb. The brachial plexus is formed by the union of portions of the fifth through eighth cervical nerves and the first thoracic nerve, all of which come from the spinal cord.
Injuries to the brachial plexus affect the nerves supplying the shoulder, upper arm, forearm and hand, causing numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, limited movement, or even paralysis of the upper limb. Although injuries can occur at any time, many brachial plexus injuries happen during birth. The baby's shoulders may become impacted during the birth process, causing the brachial plexus nerves to stretch or tear.
Most Common Diseases and Disorders of the Brain: please contact us with specific details about your condition.
Alcoholism, a chronic illness involving the excessive ingestion of alcohol. Alcoholism is thought to come from a combination of a wide range of physiological, psychological, social, and genetic factors. It is characterized by an emotional and often physical dependence on alcohol, and it frequently leads to brain damage or early death.Altitude Sickness or Mountain Sickness, condition caused by reduced oxygen pressure at high altitudes, sometimes occurring in hikers due to rapid ascent to high altitudes.The common symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, shortness of breath, sleep disturbances, and sometimes nausea.Alzheimer’s Disease, is a progressive disease of the brain characterized by confusion, loss of memory, disorientation, restlessness, speech disturbances, inability to carry out normal movements, and hallucinations. It usually starts after age 65, but there is a rare and very aggressive form of the disease, known as early-onset Alzheimer's disease, that can affect people as young as age thirty. The doctors ability to diagnose Alzheimer's disease has improved over the years, but final diagnosis can be confirmed only at autopsy.Amnesia, loss of memory. It may be caused by brain injury or cerebral arteriosclerosis, or by functional nervous disorders, such as hysteria. Amnesia may be total, with complete loss of recall; or partial, occurring only immediately before or after a traumatic event; or systematic, relating to a particular type or group of experiences. Amnesia is a symptom rather than a disease, and treatment attempts to determine and remove the basic cause.Autism , is a disorder that impairs development of a person’s ability to communicate, interact with other people, and maintain normal every- day activities. Symptoms of autism usually begin during infancy. Autistic infants may stiffen up or go limp when picked up by parents rather than clinging or cuddling up to them. Autistic infants often show little or no interest in other people and have trouble with social behaviors. Autistic children also have difficulties with language. Autism results from biological abnormalities in brain structure and function. Studies have found that autistic people have abnormally low blood flow to certain parts of the brain and reduced numbers of certain brain cells.Concussion of the Brain, injury to the brain from a fall or a blow to the head, usually with loss of consciousness. When you have a concssion you do not want to take asprin for the pain. The doctors recommened that you do not let the person fall asleep. Pressure on the brain stem slows down your breathing and your pulse rate goes down. More symptoms include pallor, sweating, and a drop in blood pressure. Dizziness, nausea, and a dull, restless feeling often follow a return to consciousness. Aftereffects such as headaches, dizziness, and nervousness may continue for several days, weeks, or even years after the initial injury. A concussion may temporarily or permanently damage the nerve tissue, causing amnesia, irritability, and fatigue. Memory is sometimes affected. Recovery from a concussion is usually complete.Epilepsy, called seizure disorder. It is a brain disorder that briefly interrupts the normal electrical activity of the brain. It causes seizures, by a variety of symptoms including uncontrolled movements of the body, disorientation or confusion, sudden fear, or loss of consciousness. Epilepsy can also result from a head injury, stroke, brain tumor, lead poisoning, genetic conditions, or severe infections like meningitis or encephalitis.Fainting, dizziness or weakness accompanied by brief loss of consciousness, associated with insufficient oxygen in the brain. The cause is usually a disturbance in blood circulation due to fatigue, pain, shock, abnormal blood pressure, arterial blockage, or heart failure. The person fainting should be placed in a position that will quickly bring blood to the brain.Headache, pain in any part of the head.The majority of headaches belong to one of three main groups: migraine, a recurrent, severe headache. Some headaches can be accompanied by nausea and sometimes loss or impaired vision. Most tension headaches can be treated with mild analgesics such as aspirin and acetaminophen.Mental Retardation, disorder in which a person’s overall intellectual functioning is well below average, with an intelligence of around 70 or less. People with mental retardation also have trouble with everyday situations. The impairment may interfere with learning, communication, self-care, independent living, social interaction, play, work, and safety. Mental retardation appears in childhood, before age 18.Stroke, is damage to the brain from blockage in blood flow and loss of blood from blood vessels in the brain. Without oxygen and nutrients from blood in the circulatory system, sections of brain tissue quickly deteriorate or die, resulting in paralysis of limbs or organs controlled by the affected brain area. Rehabilitation from stroke requires help from neurologists, physical therapists, speech therapists, and other medical persons.
An ophthalmology (eye) problem. Brown syndrome is an abnormality that is present at birth (congenitally) and is characterized by an inability to elevate the eyeball when trying to move the eyeball to the outside. Brown syndrome can also occur because of other conditions which affect the normal function of the eye muscles.
Kennedy's disease (KD) or X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) or spinobulbar muscular atrophy[1] or X-Linked bulbo-spinal atrophy[2] is a neuromuscular disease associated with mutation of the androgen receptor (AR).[3][4] Because of its endocrine manifestations related to the impairment of the AR, it can be viewed as a variation of the disorders of the androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). It is also related to other neurodegenerative diseases caused by similar mutations, such as Huntington's disease and the spinocerebellar ataxias. Kennedy's disease is named after W. R. Kennedy, a neurologist who was among the first to describe this disease.
Cancer, also called malignancy, is characterized by an abnormal growth of cells. There are more than 100 types of cancer, including breast cancer, skin cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and lymphoma.Cancer symptoms vary widely based on the type of cancer.
Cardiomyopathy, or heart muscle disease, is a type of progressive heart disease in which the heart is abnormally enlarged, thickened, and/or stiffened. As a result, the heart muscle's ability to pump blood is weakened, often causing heart failure and the backup of blood into the lungs or rest of the body. The disease can also cause abnormal heart rhythms.Usually, cardiomyopathy begins in the heart's lower chambers (the ventricles), but in severe cases can affect the upper chambers or atria as well.
There are three main types of cardiomyopathy: * Dilated cardiomyopathy:
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition in which the heart's ability to pump blood is decreased because the heart's main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, is enlarged and weakened; this causes a decreased ejection fraction (the amount of blood pumped out with each heart beat). In some cases, it prevents the heart from relaxing and filling with blood as it should. Over time, it can affect the other heart chambers as well.
* Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is associated with thickening of the heart muscle, most commonly at the septum between the ventricles, below the aortic valve. This leads to stiffening of the walls of the heart and abnormal aortic and mitral heart valve function, both of which may impede normal blood flow out of the heart.
* Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Restrictive cardiomyopathy, the rarest form of cardiomyopathy, is a condition in which the walls of the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles) are abnormally rigid and lack the flexibility to expand as the ventricles fill with blood.The pumping or systolic function of the ventricle may be normal but the diastolic function (the ability of the heart to fill with blood) is abnormal. Therefore, it is harder for the ventricles to fill with blood, and with time, the heart loses the ability to pump blood properly, leading to heart failure.
When you think of heart disease, usually people think of coronary artery disease (narrowing of the arteries leading to the heart), but coronary artery disease is just one type of cardiovascular disease.Cardiovascular disease includes a number of conditions affecting the structures or function of the heart. They can include: * Coronary artery disease (including heart attack) * Abnormal heart rhythms or arrythmias * Heart failure * Heart valve disease * Congenital heart disease * Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy) * Pericardial disease * Aorta disease and Marfan syndrome * Vascular disease (blood vessel disease)Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. It is important to learn about your heart to help prevent heart disease. And, if you have cardiovascular disease, you can live a healthier, more active life by learning about your disease and treatments and by becoming an active participant in your care.
Carpal tunnel syndrome causes pain, tingling, and numbness in your hand from pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. Illnesses, pregnancy, and obesity can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
Central cord syndrome (CCS) is an acute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI).
Central pain syndrome is a neurological condition caused by dysfunction that specifically affects the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord.The disorder occurs in people who have -- or who have experienced -- strokes, multiple sclerosis, limb amputations, brain injuries, or spinal cord injuries and may develop months or years after injury or damage to the CNS.
Central pontine myelinolysis is a neurologic disease caused by severe damage of the myelin sheath of nerve cells in the brainstem, more precisely in the area termed the pons.It can also occur outside the pons. The term "osmotic demyelinization syndrome" is similar to "central pontine myelinolysis", but also includes areas outside the pons.
The term cerebellar ataxia is employed to indicate ataxia due to dysfunction of the cerebellum. This causes a variety of elementary neurological deficits, such as antagonist hypotonia, asynergy, dysmetria, dyschronometria, and dysdiadochokinesia. How and where these abnormalities manifest depend on which cerebellar structures are lesioned, and whether the lesion is bilateral or unilateral. * Dysfunction of the vestibulocerebellum impairs balance and control of eye movements. This presents with postural instability, in which the person tends to separate the feet on standing to gain a wider base and avoid oscillations (especially posterior-anterior ones); instability is therefore worsened when standing with the feet together (irrespective of whether the eyes are open or closed: this is a negative Romberg's test, or more accurately, denotes the inability to carry out the test as the individual is unstable even with open eyes). * Dysfunction of the spinocerebellum presents with a wide-based "drunken sailor" gait, characterised by uncertain start and stop, lateral deviations, and unequal steps. This part of the cerebellum regulates body and limb movements. * Dysfunction of the cerebrocerebellum presents with disturbances in carrying out voluntary, planned movements, including intention tremor (coarse trembling, accentuated over the execution of voluntary movements, possibly involving the head and eyes as well as the limbs and torso), peculiar writing abnormalities (large, unequal letters, irregular underlining), and a peculiar pattern of dysarthria (slurred speech, sometimes characterised by explosive variations in voice intensity despite a regular rhythm).
Cerebellar hypoplasia is a developmental disorder characterized by the incomplete or underdevelopment of the cerebellum. It may be genetic or occur sporadically. Cerebellar hypoplasia may be caused by thyroid abnormalities, environmental influences such as drugs and chemicals or viral infections or stroke. In infancy, symptoms may include developmental delay, hypotonia, ataxia, seizures, mental retardation and involuntary eye movements (nystagmus). At later ages, symptoms include headache, vertigo, imbalance, and hearing impairment. Cerebellar hypoplasia may be associated with other disorders including Dandy Walker syndrome, Werdnig-Hoffman syndrome and Walker-Warburg syndrome.
Cerebral atrophy is a common feature of many of the diseases that affect the brain. Atrophy of any tissue means loss of cells. In brain tissue, atrophy describes a loss of neurons and the connections between them. Atrophy can be generalized, which means that all of the brain has shrunk; or it can be focal, affecting only a limited area of the brain and resulting in a decrease of the functions that area of the brain controls. If the cerebral hemispheres (the two lobes of the brain that form the cerebrum) are affected, conscious thought and voluntary processes may be impaired.
Cerebral hypoxia refers to deprivation of oxygen supply to brain tissue. Mild or moderate cerebral hypoxia is sometimes known as diffuse cerebral hypoxia. It can cause confusion and fainting, but its effects are reversible. Total deprivation of oxygen to the brain is called cerebral anoxia. Extended periods of cerebral hypoxia can lead to brain death or permanent brain damage.Most cases of cerebral hypoxia are caused by a sudden change in brain oxygen levels. The body can normally respond to mild gradual changes in blood oxygen with little or no noticeable effect on brain function. The acclimatization process used by high altitude climbers is an example of such adjustment.The presence of cerebral hypoxia symptoms indicates that the brain has been overwhelmed by a change in its oxygen supply. Consequently, even mild symptoms of cerebral hypoxia require immediate medical attention.
Cerebral palsy (CP) (also cerebral pares) is an umbrella term encompassing a group of non-progressive, non-contagious motor conditions that cause physical disability in human development.Cerebral refers to the cerebrum, which is the affected area of the brain (although the disorder most likely involves connections between the cortex and other parts of the brain such as the cerebellum), and palsy refers to disorder of movement. CP is caused by damage to the motor control centers of the developing brain and can occur during pregnancy (about 75 percent), during childbirth (about 5 percent) or after birth (about 15 percent) up to about age three. Further research is needed on adults with CP as the current literature is highly focused on the pediatric patient.Cerebral palsy describes a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture, causing activity limitation, that are attributed to nonprogressive disturbances that occurred in the developing fetal or infant brain. The motor disorders of cerebral palsy are often accompanied by disturbances of sensation, perception, cognition, communication, and behaviour, by epilepsy, and by secondary musculoskeletal problems.
Arnold-Chiari malformation is a malformation of the brain. It consists of a downward displacement of the cerebellar vermis and the medulla[1] through the foramen magnum, sometimes causing hydrocephalus as a result of obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outflow. The cerebrospinal fluid outflow is caused by phase difference in outflow and influx of blood in the vasculature of the brain.
Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired immune-mediated inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system but often can have central nervous system involvement. The disorder is sometimes called chronic relapsing polyneuropathy. CIDP is closely related to Guillain-Barré syndrome and it is considered the chronic counterpart of that acute disease. Its symptoms are also similar to progressive inflammatory neuropathy.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to chronic bronchitis and emphysema, a pair of two commonly co-existing diseases of the lungs in which the airways become narrowed. This leads to a limitation of the flow of air to and from the lungs causing shortness of breath. In contrast to asthma, the limitation of airflow is poorly reversible and usually gets progressively worse over time.COPD is caused by noxious particles or gas, most commonly from tobacco smoking, which triggers an abnormal inflammatory response in the lung. The inflammatory response in the larger airways is known as chronic bronchitis, which is diagnosed clinically when people regularly cough up sputum. In the alveoli, the inflammatory response causes destruction of the tissues of the lung, a process known as emphysema. The natural course of COPD is characterized by occasional sudden worsenings of symptoms called acute exacerbations, most of which are caused by infections or air pollution.The diagnosis of COPD requires lung function tests. Important management strategies are smoking cessation, vaccinations, rehabilitation, and drug therapy (often using inhalers). Some patients go on to requiring long-term oxygen therapy or lung transplantation.Worldwide, COPD ranked sixth as the cause of death in 1990. It is projected to be the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2020 due to an increase in smoking rates and demographic changes in many countries. COPD is the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S., and the economic burden of COPD in the U.S. in 2007 was $42.6 billion in health care costs and lost productivity.
Congenital myopathy is a term for any muscle disorder present at birth. By this definition the congenital myopathies could include hundreds of distinct neuromuscular syndromes and disorders. Congenital myopathies do not show evidence for either a progressive dystrophic process (i.e., muscle death) or inflammation, but instead characteristic microscopic changes are seen in association with reduced contractile ability of the muscles. In general, congenital myopathies cause loss of muscle tone and muscle weakness in infancy and delayed motor milestones, such as walking, later in childhood.
Heart failure (HF) is a condition in which a problem with the structure or function of the heart impairs its ability to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the body's needs. The phrase is often wrongly used to describe other cardiac-related illnesses, such as myocardial infarction (heart attack) or cardiac arrest.Common causes of heart failure include myocardial infarction and other forms of ischemic heart disease, hypertension, valvular heart disease and cardiomyopathy. Heart failure can cause a large variety of symptoms such as shortness of breath (typically worse when lying flat, which is called orthopnea), coughing, ankle swelling and reduced exercise capacity. Heart failure is often undiagnosed due to a lack of a universally agreed definition and challenges in definitive diagnosis. Treatment commonly consists of lifestyle measures (such as decreased salt intake) and medications, and sometimes devices or even surgery.Heart failure is a common, costly, disabling and deadly condition. In developing countries, around 2% of adults suffer from heart failure, but in those over the age of 65, this increases to 6–10%. Mostly due to costs of hospitalization, it is associated with a high health expenditure; costs have been estimated to amount to 2% of the total budget of the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, and more than $35 billion in the United States. Heart failure is associated with significantly reduced physical and mental health, resulting in a markedly decreased quality of life. With the exception of heart failure caused by reversible conditions, the condition usually worsens with time. Although some patients survive many years, progressive disease is associated with an overall annual mortality rate of 10%.
Coronary artery disease (CAD)(or atherosclerotic heart disease) is the end result of the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the coronary arteries that supply the myocardium (the muscle of the heart) with oxygen and nutrients. It is sometimes also called coronary heart disease (CHD), but although CAD is the most common cause of CHD, it is not the only cause.CAD is the leading cause of death worldwide. While the symptoms and signs of coronary artery disease are noted in the advanced state of disease, most individuals with coronary artery disease show no evidence of disease for decades as the disease progresses before the first onset of symptoms, often a "sudden" heart attack, finally arises. After decades of progression, some of these atheromatous plaques may rupture and (along with the activation of the blood clotting system) start limiting blood flow to the heart muscle. The disease is the most common cause of sudden death, and is also the most common reason for death of men and women over 20 years of age. According to present trends in the United States, half of healthy 40-year-old males will develop CAD in the future, and one in three healthy 40-year-old women. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Northern Ireland is the country with the most occurrences of CAD. By contrast, the Maasai of Africa have almost no heart disease.As the degree of coronary artery disease progresses, there may be near-complete obstruction of the lumen of the coronary artery, severely restricting the flow of oxygen-carrying blood to the myocardium. Individuals with this degree of coronary artery disease typically have suffered from one or more myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), and may have signs and symptoms of chronic coronary ischemia, including symptoms of angina at rest and flash pulmonary edema.
* Damage To The Optic Nerve * Diabetes Type 1 * Diabetes Type 2 * Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
* Early Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy * Early Stage Ataxia Telangiectasia * Emphysema * Encephalopathy * Epilepsy * Erectile Dysfunction * Erythematosis
* Glucose Transfer Disorders * Glycogen Storage Disease * Guillain-Barr Syndrome
* Heart (Cardiovascular) Diseases * Hereditary Ataxias * Hodgkin's Disease/Lymphoma * Huntington's Disease * Hypertonia * Hypotonia
* Including Type C * Infantile Spasm * Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
* Kennedy's Disease * Kidney Disease
* Lack Of Cardiac Mobility * Landau-Kleffner Syndrome * Leukemia * Lissencephaly * Lupus * Lymphoma
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD)-also called spinocerebellar ataxia type 3-is a rare hereditary ataxia. (Ataxia is a general term meaning lack of muscle control.) The disease is characterized by clumsiness and weakness in the arms and legs, spasticity, a staggering lurching gait easily mistaken for drunkenness, difficulty with speech and swallowing, involuntary eye movements, double vision, and frequent urination. Some patients have dystonia (sustained muscle contractions that cause twisting of the body and limbs, repetitive movements, abnormal postures, and/or rigidity) or symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease. Others have twitching of the face or tongue, or peculiar bulging eyes. The severity of the disease is related to the age of onset, with earlier onset associated with a more severe form of the disease. Symptoms can begin any time between early adolescence and about 70 years of age. MJD is also a progressive disease, meaning that symptoms get worse with time. Life expectancy ranges from the mid-thirties for those with severe forms of MJD to a normal life expectancy for those with mild forms. For those who die early from the disease, the cause of death is often aspiration pneumonia. The name, Machado-Joseph, comes from two families of Portuguese/Azorean descent who were among the first families described with the unique symptoms of the disease in the 1970s. The prevalence of the disease is still highest among people of Portuguese/Azorean descent. For immigrants of Portuguese ancestry in New England, the prevalence is around one in 4,000. The highest prevalence in the world, about one in 140, occurs on the small Azorean island of Flores. Recently, researchers have identified MJD in several family groups not of obvious Portuguese descent, including an African-American family from North Carolina, an Italian-American family, and several Japanese families. On a worldwide basis, MJD is the most prevalent autosomal dominant inherited form of ataxia, based on DNA studies.
The diagnosis of macular degeneration is becoming increasingly more common due to patient awareness, physician access, groundbreaking improvements in treatment, and the relentless graying of the population exponentially increases the percentage of the population at risk for this condition. Thus, macular degeneration is a formidable challenge to patients, their doctors, and our society as the costs for delivering state-of-the-art care increase.Macular degeneration, also called age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD) or the now discarded term senile macular degeneration (SMD), describes a variety of pathologic but extremely common conditions that affect the macula (a portion of the retina of the eye) and, therefore, central vision. Central vision is what you see directly in front of you rather than what you see at the side (or periphery) of your vision.Macular degeneration is caused when part of the retina deteriorates. The retina is the interior layer of the eye consisting of the receptors and nerves that collect and transmit light signals from the eye into the optic nerve, then to the brain for interpretation as our sense of vision. The macula is the central portion of the retina and is responsible for detailed vision and color vision, the vision we use to read, thread a needle, sign a check, or recognize faces. The macula is a highly specialized part of the nervous system and the eye in which the photoreceptors that react to light stimulus and the neurons that interpret and transmit these signals are precisely organized and densely compacted. It is the macula that allows humans to see 20/20, or an eagle to spot a small rodent on the ground hundreds of feet below.Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of legal blindness in people older than 55 years in the United States. Age-related macular degeneration affects more than 1.75 million individuals in the United States. Owing to the rapid aging of the U.S. population, this number is expected to increase to almost 3 million by 2020. Because overall life expectancy continues to increase, age-related macular degeneration has become a major public-health concern.
What is meningitis?Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes (called meninges) that surround the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis may be caused by many different viruses and bacteria. It can also be caused by diseases that can trigger inflammation of tissues of the body without infection (such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Behcet's disease).What is encephalitis?Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. There are many types of encephalitis, most of which are caused by infections. Most often these infections are caused by viruses. Encephalitis can also be caused by diseases that cause inflammation of the brain.
Microcephaly is a medical condition in which the circumference of the head is smaller than normal because the brain has not developed properly or has stopped growing. Microcephaly can be present at birth or it may develop in the first few years of life.
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the upper and lower motor neurones. Degeneration of the motor neurones leads to weakness and wasting of muscles, causing increasing loss of mobility in the limbs, and difficulties with speech, swallowing and breathing.Different types of MND There are four main types of MND, each affecting people in different ways. There can be a great deal of overlap between all of these forms, so, while it is useful to separate the various types of the disease, in practise it is not always possible to be so specific.We talk here about life expectancy so you may not want to read any more at this stage Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) This is the most common form, with both upper and lower motor neurone involvement.This form of the disease is characterised by weakness and wasting in the limbs. Someone may notice they are tripping when walking or dropping things. Average life expectancy is from two to five years from onset of symptoms. Progressive bulbar palsy (PBP) Affects about a quarter of people diagnosed, and involves both the upper and lower motor neurones. Symptoms may include slurring of speech or difficulty swallowing. Life expectancy is between six months and three years from onset of symptoms. Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) Affects only a small proportion of people, mainly causing damage to the lower motor neurones. Early symptoms may be noticed as weakness or clumsiness of the hand. Most people live for more than five years. Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) A rare form of MND involving the upper motor neurones only, causing mainly weakness in the lower limbs, although some people may experience clumsiness in the hands or speech problems. Life span could essentially be normal, although it may be life-limiting, depending on whether it remains as pure PLS or develops into ALS.
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer. Cancer is a group of many related diseases. Myeloma is a cancer that starts in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. It's the most common type of plasma cell cancer. Normal Blood CellsMost blood cells develop from cells in the bone marrow called stem cells. Bone marrow is the soft material in the center of most bones.Stem cells mature into different types of blood cells. Each type has a special job:• White blood cells help fight infection. There are several types of white blood cells.• Red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues throughout the body. • Platelets help form blood clots that control bleeding.Plasma cells are white blood cells that make antibodies. Antibodies are part of the immune system. They work with other parts of the immune system to help protect the body from germs and other harmful substances. Each type of plasma cell makes a different antibody. Normal plasma cells help protect the body from germs and other harmful substances. Myeloma CellsMyeloma, like other cancers, begins in cells. In cancer, new cells form when the body doesn't need them, and old or damaged cells don't die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.Myeloma begins when a plasma cell becomes abnormal. The abnormal cell divides to make copies of itself. The new cells divide again and again, making more and more abnormal cells. These abnormal plasma cells are called myeloma cells. In time, myeloma cells collect in the bone marrow. They may damage the solid part of the bone. When myeloma cells collect in several of your bones, the disease is called "multiple myeloma." This disease may also harm other tissues and organs, such as the kidneys.Myeloma cells make antibodies called M proteins and other proteins. These proteins can collect in the blood, urine, and organs.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS. Patients with MS commonly present with an individual mix of neuropsychological dysfunction, which tends to progress over years to decades.The diagnosis of MS is based on a classic presentation (ie, optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, internuclear ophthalmoplegia, paresthesias) and on the identification of other neurologic abnormalities, which may be indicated by the patient history and exam. Typical findings on an MRI also help establish a diagnosis of MS. Classic MS symptomso Sensory loss (ie, paresthesias) usually is an early complaint.o Motor (eg, muscle cramping secondary to spasticity) and autonomic (eg, bladder, bowel, sexual dysfunction) spinal cord symptoms may be present.o Cerebellar symptoms (eg, Charcot triad of dysarthria, ataxia, tremor) may occur.o Constitutional symptoms, especially fatigue (which occurs in 70% of cases) and dizziness, may be present.o Subjective difficulties with attention span, concentration, memory, and judgment may be noted any time during the disease course.o About 50% of patients with MS have impairment, usually mild, in information processing on neuropsychological testing.o Depression is common, but euphoria is less common.o Over the course of the disease, 5-10% of patients develop an overt psychiatric disorder (eg, manic depression, paranoia, major depression) or dementia.o Eye symptoms, including diplopia on lateral gaze, occur in 33% of patients.o Trigeminal neuralgia may occur.• Optic neuritis (ON) (ie, inflammation or demyelination of optic nerve) is the initial presentation of 15% of patients with MS. Fifty percent of all patients who present with ON have MS. Isolated episodes of ON, even if they are recurrent, do not represent MS.o Acute onset (ie, occurring over minutes or hours, rarely days) of single eye visual blurring, decreased acuity (ie, usually scotoma), decreased color perception, and/or discomfort of the moving eye(s) are symptoms that are indicative of ON.o The 3 phenomena associated with ON or compressive/ischemic neuritis are as follows: Phosphenes, or flashes of light, usually are precipitated by eye movements. Uhthoff phenomenon or deterioration of vision is induced by exercise, a hot meal, or a hot bath. The Pulfrich effect occurs when latencies between the eyes are unequal, resulting in a sense of disorientation in moving traffic.• Acute transverse myelitiso Partial acute transverse myelitis, rather than total, usually is a manifestation of MS. Strongly consider mechanical compression in the differential diagnosis.o Acute partial loss of motor, sensory, autonomic, reflex, and sphincter function below the level of the lesion indicates acute transverse myelitis.• Devic syndrome is acute transverse myelitis accompanied by bilateral ON.• Acute disseminated encephalitis is pathophysiologically and radiographically identical to MS. It is characterized by acute onset of motor, sensory, cerebellar, and cranial nerve dysfunction with encephalopathy, progressing to coma and eventual death in 30% of such cases.• MS as a sole symptom is unusual, but MS may present with many other typical MS presentations, including the following:o Aphasia or dysphasiao Hemianopsiao Seizures (5% of patients with MS)o Significant motor complaints without sensory deficits or dysautonomia (eg, bladder)
MSA is defined as a sporadic, progressive, neurodegenerative disease of undetermined etiology, characterized clinically by extrapyramidal, pyramidal, cerebellar, and autonomic dysfunction in any combination (definition by the Consensus Committees representing the American Autonomic Society and the American Academy of Neurology in 1996 and 1998). MSA is characterized pathologically by cell loss, gliosis, and GCIs in several brain and spinal cord structures.MSA can be ascertained as possible, probable, or definite based on the features and criteria in the 3 clinical domains: (1) autonomic and/or urinary dysfunction, (2) parkinsonism, and (3) cerebellar dysfunction. The nomenclature is based on features, which define the disease characteristic, and criterion, which is the defining feature. Possible MSA can be diagnosed when 1 criterion and 2 features separate from other clinical domains are found. The diagnosis of probable MSA requires the criterion of autonomic and/or urinary dysfunction and the presence of poorly levodopa-responsive parkinsonism or cerebellar ataxia. Only pathologic findings, a high density of alpha-synuclein-positive GCIs degenerative changes in the nigrostriatal or olivopontocerebellar pathways, can confirm the diagnosis of MSA.When autonomic failure predominates, MSA is sometimes termed Shy-Drager syndrome. When extrapyramidal features predominate, the term striatonigral degeneration, parkinsonian variant, or MSA-P is sometimes used. When cerebellar features predominate, MSA is sometimes termed sporadic olivopontocerebellar atrophy or MSA-C.
Muscular dystrophy (MD) refers to a group of more than 30 inherited diseases that cause muscle weakness and muscle loss. Some forms of MD appear in infancy or childhood, while others may not appear until middle age or later. The different muscular dystrophies vary in who they affect and the symptoms. All forms of MD grow worse as the person's muscles get weaker. Most people with MD eventually lose the ability to walk. There is no cure for muscular dystrophy. Treatments include physical and speech therapy, orthopedic devices, surgery and medications. Some people with muscular dystrophy have mild cases that worsen slowly. Other cases are disabling and severe.
(Sometimes called neonatal myoclonic encephalopathy)Early myoclonic encephalopathy almost always starts in the newborn period or in very early infancy. It is a syndrome with several causes but it is thought that most of the infants have an underlying biochemical disorder even if this cannot be identified. Some infants definitely have a very rare condition called non-ketotic hyperglycinaemia. Affected infants have extremely poor development. SymptomsThe seizures can be myoclonic jerks, which affect small areas of the body from time to time, massive myoclonic movements (sudden flexion or extension), partial motor seizures or, rarely, tonic spasms (when stiffness occurs). The seizures are very frequent throughout the day. After several months seizures usually change to infantile spasms (West syndrome). The electroencephalogram (EEG), which records the electrical activity ongoing in the brain, shows evidence of abnormal discharge or spikes and waves interspersed with periods of flatness. The type of record is referred to as suppression-burst and is similar to that seen in Ohtahara’s syndrome. The infants are all neurologically very abnormal. Often they are extremely floppy and excessively sleepy. TreatmentThe seizures are often resistant to medication. If this syndrome is suspected it is probably unwise to use valproate (Epilim), since in this group of babies, an underlying biochemical disorder is quite likely. It is important to test the babies thoroughly for a possible chemical disorder, in case this in itself can be treated. The actual choice of medication is difficult and it may be safer to use some of the older anti-epileptic drugs such as Phenobarbital before others are tried. All babies should receive a trail of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) in case they have pyridoxine dependent seizures.
Myoclonus describes a symptom and generally is not a diagnosis of a disease. It refers to sudden, involuntary jerking of a muscle or group of muscles. Myoclonic twitches or jerks usually are caused by sudden muscle contractions, called positive myoclonus, or by muscle relaxation, called negative myoclonus. Myoclonic jerks may occur alone or in sequence, in a pattern or without pattern. They may occur infrequently or many times each minute. Myoclonus sometimes occurs in response to an external event or when a person attempts to make a movement. The twitching cannot be controlled by the person experiencing it. In its simplest form, myoclonus consists of a muscle twitch followed by relaxation. A hiccup is an example of this type of myoclonus. Other familiar examples of myoclonus are the jerks or "sleep starts" that some people experience while drifting off to sleep. These simple forms of myoclonus occur in normal, healthy persons and cause no difficulties. When more widespread, myoclonus may involve persistent, shock-like contractions in a group of muscles. In some cases, myoclonus begins in one region of the body and spreads to muscles in other areas. More severe cases of myoclonus can distort movement and severely limit a person's ability to eat, talk, or walk. These types of myoclonus may indicate an underlying disorder in the brain or nerves.
Myopathies are diseases that affect muscles connected to bones (called skeletal muscles), such as the biceps in the upper arm and the quadriceps in the thigh. Myopathies can be caused by inherited genetic defects (e.g., muscular dystrophies), or by endocrine, inflammatory (e.g., polymyositis), and metabolic disorders. Nearly all types of myopathy produce weakening and atrophy of skeletal muscles, especially those muscles closest to the center of the body (called the proximal muscles), such as the thigh and shoulder muscles. Muscles further from the center of the body (called the distal muscles), such as those in the hands and feet, are generally affected less often. Some myopathies, such as the muscular dystrophies, usually develop at an early age, and others develop later in life. Some conditions worsen over time and do not respond well to treatment and others are treatable and othe remain stable. When few treatments are available that address the root cause of the disease, the myopathy is labeled "nonspecific muscle myopathy." Incidence and Prevalence Worldwide incidence of inheritable myopathies is about 14%. Of all inheritable myopathyies, central core disease accounts for 16% of cases; nemaline rod myopathy accounts for 20%; centronuclear myopathy accounts for 14%; and multicore myopathy accounts for 10%.
Neurotoxicity occurs when the exposure to natural or manmade toxic substances (neurotoxicants) alters the normal activity of the nervous system. This can eventually disrupt or even kill neurons, key cells that transmit and process signals in the brain and other parts of the nervous system. Neurotoxicity can result from exposure to substances used in chemotherapy, radiation treatment, drug therapies, and organ transplants, as well as exposure to heavy metals such as lead and mercury, certain foods and food additives, pesticides, industrial and/or cleaning solvents, cosmetics, and some naturally occurring substances. Symptoms may appear immediately after exposure or be delayed. They may include limb weakness or numbness; loss of memory, vision, and/or intellect; headache; cognitive and behavioral problems; and sexual dysfunction. Individuals with certain disorders may be especially vulnerable to neurotoxicants.
A stroke, the third leading cause of death in the U.S., is always serious. In 2003, 167,366 Americans died of stroke. The mortality rates are declining, however. Over 75% of patients survive a first stroke during the first year and over half survive beyond 5 years.The Severity of an Ischemic Versus Hemorrhagic Stroke:People who suffer ischemic strokes have a much better chance for survival than those who experience hemorrhagic strokes. Among the ischemic stroke categories, the greatest dangers are posed by embolic strokes, followed by thrombotic and lacunar strokes. Hemorrhagic stroke not only destroys brain cells but also poses other complications, including increased pressure on the brain or spasms in the blood vessels, both of which can be very dangerous. Studies suggest, however, that survivors of hemorrhagic stroke have a greater chance for recovering function than those who suffer ischemic stroke.
Lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system—the body's blood-filtering tissues that help to fight infection and disease. Like other cancers, lymphomas, occur when cells divide too much and too fast. Growth control is lost, and the lymphatic cells may overcrowd, invade, and destroy lymphoid tissues and metastasize (spread) to other organs.There are two general types of lymphomas: Hodgkin's disease (named after Dr. Thomas Hodgkin, who first recognized it in 1832) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The lymphatic tissue in Hodgkin's disease contains specific cells (called Reed-Sternberg cells) that are not found in any other cancerous lymphomas or cancers. These cells distinguish Hodgkin's disease (HD) from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).
Ohtahara syndrome is a neurological disorder characterized by seizures. The disorder affects newborns, usually within the first three months of life (most often within the first 10 days) in the form of epileptic seizures. Infants have primarily tonic seizures, but may also experience partial seizures, and rarely, myoclonic seizures. Ohtahara syndrome is most commonly caused by metabolic disorders or structural damage in the brain, although the cause or causes for many cases can’t be determined. Most infants with the disorder show significant underdevelopment of part or all of the cerebral hemispheres. The EEGs of infants with Ohtahara syndrome reveal a characteristic pattern of high voltage spike wave discharge followed by little activity. This pattern is known as “burst suppression.” Doctors have observed that boys are more often affected than girls.
Olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) is a neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by prominent cerebellar and extrapyramidal signs, dysarthria, and dysphagia. Those who study OPCA quickly learn that it is not a single entity, and that its nosology can be confusing. The umbrella term of OPCA includes common sporadic forms and uncommon genetic forms. In the genetic subgroup, all 3 major inheritance patterns (autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and X-linked) have been described. The classification scheme for autosomal dominant OPCA overlaps with that of autosomal dominant spinocerebellar atrophies (SCAs) and autosomal dominant cerebellar atrophies (ADCAs). In the sporadic type of OPCA, at least some of the cases are a subset of multiple system atrophy (MSA).
Optic atrophy is a condition that affects the optic nerve, which carries impulses from the eye to the brain. (Atrophy means to waste away or deteriorate.) Optic atrophy is not a disease, but rather a sign of a potentially more serious condition. Optic atrophy results from damage to the optic nerve from many different kinds of pathologies. The condition can cause problems with vision, including blindness. What causes optic atrophy? The optic nerve is composed of nerve fibers that transmit impulses to the brain. In the case of optic atrophy, something is interfering with the optic nerve’s ability to transmit these impulses. The interference can be caused by numerous factors, including: • Glaucoma • Stroke of the optic nerve, known as anterior ischemic optic neuropathy • A tumor that is pressing on the optic nerve • Optic neuritis, an inflammation (swelling) of the optic nerve secondary to multiple sclerosis • A hereditary condition in which the person experiences loss of vision first in one eye, and then in the other (known as Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy) • Improper formation of the optic nerve, which is a congenital problem (the person is born with it) What are the symptoms of optic atrophy? The symptoms of optic atrophy relate to a change in vision, specifically: • Blurred vision • Difficulties with peripheral (side) vision • Difficulties with color vision • A reduction in sharpness of vision
Conditions which produce injury or dysfunction of the second cranial or optic nerve, which is generally considered a component of the central nervous system. Damage to optic nerve fibers may occur at or near their origin in the retina, at the optic disk, or in the nerve, optic chiasm, optic tract, or lateral geniculate nuclei. Clinical manifestations may include decreased visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, impaired color vision, and an afferent pupillary defect.
Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH) refers to the underdevelopment of the optic nerve during pregnancy. The dying back of optic nerve fibers as the child develops in utero is a natural process, and ONH may be an exaggeration of that process. ONH may occur infrequently in one eye (unilateral) but more commonly in both eyes (bilateral). ONH is not progressive, is not inherited, and cannot be cured. ONH is one of the three most common causes of visual impairment in children.Characteristics• ONH may occur by itself or along with neurological or hormonal abnormalities. Hormonal problems not apparent in early life may appear later.• Children with ONH demonstrate a wide spectrum of visual function ranging from normal visual acuity to no light perception. The effect on the visual field may range from generalized loss of detailed vision in both central and peripheral fields (depressed visual fields) to subtle peripheral field loss.• A high percentage of children with ONH have associated involuntary rhythmic movements of the eye (nystagmus). In most cases, the nystagmus is associated with significant bilateral reduced visual acuity.• ONH is a stable condition. Visual function does not deteriorate with time. A mild improvement in visual function may occur as the result of maturation processes of the brain. In some cases, reduced nystagmus may also occur.• Depth perception may be more severe if vision loss is great.• Mild light sensitivity (photophobia) may occur
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a "cushion" between the bones of the joints. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis. Among the over 100 different types of arthritis conditions, osteoarthritis is the most common, affecting over 20 million people in the United States. Osteoarthritis occurs more frequently as we age. Before age 45, osteoarthritis occurs more frequently in males. After age 55 years, it occurs more frequently in females. In the United States, all races appear equally affected. A higher incidence of osteoarthritis exists in the Japanese population, while South African blacks, East Indians, and Southern Chinese have lower rates.Osteoarthritis commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. Most cases of osteoarthritis have no known cause and are referred to as primary osteoarthritis. When the cause of the osteoarthritis is known, the condition is referred to as secondary osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is sometimes abbreviated OA. Learn more about stem cell therapy for Osteoarthritis, click here.
Also called: Paralysis agitans, Shaking palsy Parkinson's disease is a disorder that affects nerve cells, or neurons, in a part of the brain that controls muscle movement. In Parkinson's, neurons that make a chemical called dopamine die or do not work properly. Dopamine normally sends signals that help coordinate your movements. No one knows what damages these cells. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease may include• Trembling of hands, arms, legs, jaw and face • Stiffness of the arms, legs and trunk • Slowness of movement • Poor balance and coordination As symptoms get worse, people with the disease may have trouble walking, talking or doing simple tasks. They may also have problems such as depression, sleep problems or trouble chewing, swallowing or speaking. Parkinson's usually begins around age 60, but it can start earlier. It is more common in men than in women. There is no cure for Parkinson's disease. A variety of medicines sometimes help symptoms dramatically.
Peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.) occurs when plaque (plak) builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, organs, and limbs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood.When plaque builds up in arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis (ATH-er-o-skler-O-sis). Over time, plaque can harden and narrow the arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body.P.A.D. usually affects the legs, but also can affect the arteries that carry blood from your heart to your head, arms, kidneys, and stomach. This article focuses on P.A.D. that affects blood flow to the legs.Blocked blood flow to your legs can cause pain and numbness. It also can raise your risk of getting an infection in the affected limbs. It may be hard for your body to fight the infection.If severe enough, blocked blood flow can cause tissue death (gangrene). In very serious cases, this can lead to leg amputation.If you have leg pain when you walk or climb stairs, talk to your doctor. Sometimes older people think that leg pain is just a symptom of aging. However, the cause for the pain could be P.A.D. Tell your doctor if you're feeling pain in your legs and discuss whether you should be tested for P.A.D.Smoking is the main risk factor for P.A.D. If you smoke or have a history of smoking, your risk for P.A.D. increases four times. Other factors, such as age and having certain diseases or conditions, also increase your risk.Outlook If you have P.A.D., your risk for coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, and transient ischemic attack (“mini-stroke”) is six to seven times greater than the risk for people who don’t have P.A.D. If you have heart disease, you have a 1 in 3 chance of having blocked leg arteries. Although P.A.D. is serious, it’s treatable. If you have the disease, it’s important to see your doctor regularly and treat the underlying atherosclerosis.P.A.D. treatment may slow or stop disease progress and reduce the risk of complications. Treatments include lifestyle changes, medicines, and surgery or procedures. Researchers continue to explore new therapies for P.A.D.
Peripheral nerves are the extensive network of nerves that link the brain and spinal cord to all other parts of the body. Peripheral nerves are fragile and easily damaged. A nerve injury can interfere with the communication between the brain and the muscles controlled by the nerve, affecting a person's ability to move certain muscles or feel normal sensations.Nerve injuries can occur anywhere in the body. Injuries to the sciatic and radial nerves, as well as brachial plexus injuries, are common.
What is peripheral vascular disease?This refers to diseases of blood vessels outside the heart and brain. It's often a narrowing of vessels that carry blood to the legs, arms, stomach or kidneys. There are two types of these circulation disorders:• Functional peripheral vascular diseases don't have an organic cause. They don't involve defects in blood vessels' structure. They're usually short-term effects related to "spasm" that may come and go. Raynaud's disease is an example. It can be triggered by cold temperatures, emotional stress, working with vibrating machinery or smoking.• Organic peripheral vascular diseases are caused by structural changes in the blood vessels, such as inflammation and tissue damage. Peripheral artery disease is an example. It's caused by fatty buildups in arteries that block normal blood flow.What is peripheral artery disease?Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition similar to coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease. In PAD, fatty deposits build up in the inner linings of the artery walls. These blockages restrict blood circulation, mainly in arteries leading to the kidneys, stomach, arms, legs and feet. In its early stages a common symptom is cramping or fatigue in the legs and buttocks during activity. Such cramping subsides when the person stands still. This is called "intermittent claudication." People with PAD often have fatty buildup in the arteries of the heart and brain. Because of this association, most people with PAD have a higher risk of death from heart attack and stroke.
Congenital Bilateral Perisylvian Syndrome (CBPS) is an extremely rare neurological disorder that may be apparent at birth (congenital), infancy, or later during childhood. It is characterized by partial paralysis of muscles on both sides (diplegia) of the face, tongue, jaws, and throat (pseudobulbar palsy); difficulties in speaking (dysarthria), chewing (mastication), and swallowing (dysphagia); and/or sudden episodes of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain (epilepsy). In most cases, mild to severe mental retardation is also present. Associated symptoms and findings are thought to be due to improper development of the outer surface of the brain (cerebral cortex) during embryonic growth (neuronal dysmigration). In most cases, the disorder appears to occur randomly for unknown reasons (sporadically).
Polymicrogyria is a condition characterized by abnormal development of the brain before birth. The surface of the brain normally has many ridges or folds, called gyri. In people with polymicrogyria, the brain develops too many folds, and the folds are unusually small. The name of this condition literally means too many (poly-) small (micro-) folds (-gyria) in the surface of the brain.Polymicrogyria can affect part of the brain or the whole brain. When the condition affects one side of the brain, researchers describe it as unilateral. When it affects both sides of the brain, it is described as bilateral. The signs and symptoms associated with polymicrogyria depend on how much of the brain, and which particular brain regions, are affected.Researchers have identified multiple forms of polymicrogyria. The mildest form is known as unilateral focal polymicrogyria. This form of the condition affects a relatively small area on one side of the brain. It may cause minor neurological problems, such as mild seizures that can be easily controlled with medication. Some people with unilateral focal polymicrogyria do not have any problems associated with the condition.Bilateral forms of polymicrogyria tend to cause more severe neurological problems. Signs and symptoms of these conditions can include recurrent seizures (epilepsy), delayed development, crossed eyes, problems with speech and swallowing, and muscle weakness or paralysis. The most severe form of the disorder, bilateral generalized polymicrogyria, affects the entire brain. This condition causes severe intellectual disability, problems with movement, and seizures that are difficult or impossible to control with medication.Polymicrogyria most often occurs as an isolated feature, although it can occur with other brain abnormalities. It is also a feature of several genetic syndromes characterized by intellectual disability and multiple birth defects. These include 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, Adams-Oliver syndrome, Aicardi syndrome, Galloway-Mowat syndrome, Joubert syndrome, and Zellweger syndrome.
Pompe disease is an inherited disorder caused by the buildup of a complex sugar called glycogen in the body's cells. The accumulation of glycogen in certain tissues, especially muscles, impairs their ability to function normally.One type of Pompe disease, known as infantile onset, begins within a few months of birth. Infants with this disorder typically exhibit symptoms such as muscle weakness (myopathy), poor muscle tone (hypotonia), an enlarged liver and heart, and heart failure. Affected infants may also have poor feeding, failure to gain weight and grow at the expected rate (failure to thrive), and breathing problems. Most infants with Pompe disease cannot hold up their heads or move normally. As the disease progresses, swallowing may become difficult and the tongue may become abnormally enlarged (macroglossia). Most children with this form of Pompe disease do not survive beyond the age of 2.Other forms of Pompe disease are known as late onset and may not show signs and symptoms until childhood, adolescence, or adulthood. Late-onset Pompe disease is usually milder than the infantile-onset form of this disorder. Most individuals experience progressive muscle weakness, especially in the legs and the trunk, including the muscles that control breathing.
Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliomyelitis virus. PPS is mainly characterized by new weakening in muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection and in muscles that seemingly were unaffected. Symptoms include slowly progressive muscle weakness, unaccustomed fatigue (both generalized and muscular), and, at times, muscle atrophy. Pain from joint degeneration and increasing skeletal deformities such as scoliosis are common. Some patients experience only minor symptoms. While less common, others may develop visible muscle atrophy, or wasting.PPS is rarely life-threatening. However, untreated respiratory muscle weakness can result in underventilation, and weakness in swallowing muscles can result in aspiration pneumonia. The severity of residual weakness and disability after acute poliomyelitis tends to predict the development of PPS. Patients who had minimal symptoms from the original illness will most likely experience only mild PPS symptoms. People originally hit hard by the poliovirus and who attained a greater recovery may develop a more severe case of PPS with a greater loss of muscle function and more severe fatigue. It should be noted that many polio survivors were too young to remember the severity of their original illness and that accurate memory fades over time. According to estimates by the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 440,000 polio survivors in the United States may be at risk for PPS. Researchers are unable to establish a firm prevalence rate, but they estimate that the condition affects 25 percent to 50 percent of these survivors, or possibly as many as 60 percent, depending on how the disorder is defined and which study is quoted. Patients diagnosed with PPS sometimes are concerned that they are having polio again and are contagious to others. Studies have shown that this does not happen.
Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a rare neuromuscular disease with slowly progressive weakness in voluntary muscle movement. PLS belongs to a group of disorders known as motor neuron diseases. In motor neuron diseases, the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement degenerate and die. In PLS, the corticospinal motor neurons (often called "upper motor neurons") in the brain are affected. There is no evidence of degeneration of lower motor neurons in the spinal cord or brainstem and there is little muscle wasting (what doctors call "amyotrophy"). Symptoms include weakness, muscle stiffness and spasms (spasticity), clumsiness, slowing of movement, and problems with balance. Onset of PLS usually occurs after age 40. The symptoms often begin with problems in the legs, but may also start with hand clumsiness or changes in speech. PLS progresses gradually over a number of years, or even decades. Scientists do not believe PLS has a simple hereditary cause. There are similar, but rare, hereditary childhood disorders termed "juvenile PLS." The diagnosis of PLS requires extensive testing to exclude other diseases. When symptoms begin, PLS may be mistaken for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and the diagnosis of PLS can be delayed for several years.
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the skin (psoriasis) and joints (arthritis). Psoriasis is a common skin condition affecting 2% of the Caucasian population in the United States. It features patchy, raised, red areas of skin inflammation with scaling. Psoriasis often affects the tips of the elbows and knees, the scalp, the navel, and around the genital areas or anus. Approximately 10% of patients who have psoriasis also develop an associated inflammation of their joints. Patients who have inflammatory arthritis and psoriasis are diagnosed as having psoriatic arthritis.The onset of psoriatic arthritis generally occurs in the fourth and fifth decades of life. Males and females are affected equally. The skin disease (psoriasis) and the joint disease (arthritis) often appear separately. In fact, the skin disease precedes the arthritis in nearly 80% of patients. The arthritis may precede the psoriasis in up to 15% of patients. In some patients, the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis can be difficult if the arthritis precedes psoriasis by many years. In fact, some patients have had arthritis for over 20 years before psoriasis eventually appears! Conversely, patients can have psoriasis for over 20 years prior to development of arthritis, leading to the ultimate diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.Psoriatic arthritis is a systemic rheumatic disease that can also cause inflammation in body tissues away from the joints other than the skin, such as in the eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. Psoriatic arthritis shares many features with several other arthritic conditions, such as ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis (formerly Reiter's syndrome), and arthritis associated with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. All of these conditions can cause inflammation in the spine and other joints, and the eyes, skin, mouth, and various organs. In view of their similarities and tendency to cause inflammation of the spine, these conditions are collectively referred to as "spondyloarthropathies."
Pulmonary fibrosis is a condition in which tissue deep in your lungs becomes thick and stiff, or scarred, over time. The development of the scarred tissue is called fibrosis.As the lung tissue becomes thicker, your lungs lose their ability to move oxygen into your bloodstream. As a result, your brain and other organs don't get the oxygen they need. In some cases, doctors can find out what's causing the fibrosis. But in most cases, they can't find a cause. They call these cases idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).IPF is a serious condition. About 200,000 Americans have it. About 50,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. IPF mostly affects people who are 50 to 75 years of age.IPF varies from person to person. In some people, the lung tissue quickly becomes thick and stiff. In others, the process is much slower. In some people, the condition stays the same for years.IPF has no cure yet. Many people live only about 3 to 5 years after diagnosis. The most common cause of death related to IPF is respiratory failure. Other causes include:• Pulmonary hypertension • Heart failure • Pulmonary embolism • Pneumonia • Lung cancer Some people may be more likely to develop IPF because of their genes (the basic units of heredity). If more than one member of your family has IPF, the condition is called familial idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.Today, scientists are beginning to understand more about what causes IPF, and they can diagnose it more quickly. They also are studying several medicines that may slow the progress of the disease. These efforts should improve the lifespan and quality of life for people who have IPF.
The right ventricle pumps blood returning from the body into the pulmonary arteries to the lungs to receive oxygen. The pressures in the lung arteries (pulmonary arteries) are normally significantly lower than the pressures in the systemic circulation. When pressure in the pulmonary circulation becomes abnormally elevated, it is referred to as pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary artery hypertension, or PAH.Pulmonary hypertension generally results from constriction, or stiffening, of the pulmonary arteries that supply blood to the lungs. Consequently, it becomes more difficult for the heart to pump blood forward through the lungs. This stress on the heart leads to enlargement of the right heart and eventually fluid can build up in the liver and other tissues, such as the in the legs.
Diseases and conditions affecting the kidney In the US, kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death; diabetes and hypertension are the most common causes of chronic kidney failure. If you have diabetes or hypertension, you have a greater risk of developing kidney disease. Any diseases that affect the blood vessels, including diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, can impair the kidneys' ability to filter blood and regulate fluids in the body. Disease and infection in other parts of the body can also trigger a kidney disorder. Because kidney impairment can be life-threatening, disorders and diseases that may affect the kidney deserve prompt attention. Kidney disease often causes no symptoms until late in its course and can lead to end-stage kidney failure, which is fatal unless a dialysis machine is used or a kidney transplant is performed. There are more than 100 disorders, diseases, and conditions that can lead to progressive destruction of the kidneys.
Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmenal disorder that affects girls almost exclusively. It is characterized by normal early growth and development followed by a slowing of development, loss of purposeful use of the hands, distinctive hand movements, slowed brain and head growth, problems with walking, seizures, and intellectual disability. The disorder was identified by Dr. Andreas Rett, an Austrian physician who first described it in a journal article in 1966. It was not until after a second article about the disorder, published in 1983 by Swedish researcher Dr. Bengt Hagberg, that the disorder was generally recognized. The course of Rett syndrome, including the age of onset and the severity of symptoms, varies from child to child. Before the symptoms begin, however, the child generally appears to grow and develop normally, although there are often subtle abnormalities even in early infancy, such as loss of muscle tone (hypotonia), difficulty feeding, and jerkiness in limb movements. Then, gradually, mental and physical symptoms appear. As the syndrome progresses, the child loses purposeful use of her hands and the ability to speak. Other early symptoms may include problems crawling or walking and diminished eye contact. The loss of functional use of the hands is followed by compulsive hand movements such as wringing and washing. The onset of this period of regression is sometimes sudden. Apraxia — the inability to perform motor functions — is perhaps the most severely disabling feature of Rett syndrome, interfering with every body movement, including eye gaze and speech. Children with Rett syndrome often exhibit autistic-like behaviors in the early stages. Other symptoms may include walking on the toes, sleep problems, a wide-based gait, teeth grinding and difficulty chewing, slowed growth, seizures, cognitive disabilities, and breathing difficulties while awake such as hyperventilation, apnea (breath holding), and air swallowing.
Retinopathy is a general term that refers to some form of non-inflammatory damage to the retina of the eye. Frequently, retinopathy is an ocular manifestation of systemic diseaseCauses of retinopathy are varied:• diabetes - diabetic retinopathy• arterial hypertension - hypertensive retinopathy• prematurity of the newborn - retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)• sickle cell anemia• genetic retinopathy• ciliopathy• direct sunlight exposure - solar retinopathy• medicinal products - drug-related retinopathy• retinal vein or artery occlusionMany types of retinopathy are progressive and may result in blindness or severe vision loss or impairment, particularly if the macula becomes affected.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as in other organs in the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body's tissues are mistakenly attacked by their own immune system. The immune system is a complex organization of cells and antibodies designed normally to "seek and destroy" invaders of the body, particularly infections. Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood that target their own body tissues, where they can be associated with inflammation. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.While rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness, meaning it can last for years, patients may experience long periods without symptoms. However, rheumatoid arthritis is typically a progressive illness that has the potential to cause joint destruction and functional disability.
Schizencephaly is an extremely rare developmental birth defect characterized by abnormal slits, or clefts, in the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. Babies with clefts in both hemispheres (called bilateral clefts) commonly have developmental delays, delays in speech and language skills, and problems with brain-spinal cord communication. Individuals with clefts in only one hemisphere (called unilateral clefts) are often paralyzed on one side of the body, but may have average to near-average intelligence. Individuals with schizencephaly may also have an abnormally small head, mental retardation, partial or complete paralysis, or poor muscle tone. Most will experience seizures. Some individuals may have an excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain called hydrocephalus.
Septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is a rare disorder characterized by abnormal development of the optic disk, pituitary deficiencies, and often agenesis (absence) of the septum pellucidum (the part of the brain that separates the anterior horns or the lateral ventricles of the brain). Symptoms may include blindness in one or both eyes, pupil dilation in response to light, nystagmus (a rapid, involuntary to-and-fro movement of the eyes), inward and outward deviation of the eyes, hypotonia (low muscle tone), and hormonal problems. Seizures may also occur. In a few cases, jaundice (prolonged yellow skin discoloration) may occur at birth. Intellectual problems vary in severity among individuals. While some children with SOD have normal intelligence, others have learning disabilities and mental retardation. Most, however, are developmentally delayed due to vision impairment or neurological problems.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that contain mostly hemoglobin* S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin. Sometimes these red blood cells become sickle-shaped (crescent shaped) and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels. When sickle-shaped cells block small blood vessels, less blood can reach that part of the body. Tissue that does not receive a normal blood flow eventually becomes damaged. This is what causes the complications of sickle cell disease. There is currently no universal cure for sickle cell disease. Hemoglobin – is the main substance of the red blood cell. It helps red blood cells carry oxygen from the air in our lungs to all parts of the body. Normal red blood cells contain hemoglobin A. Hemoglobin S and hemoglobin C are abnormal types of hemoglobin. Normal red blood cells are soft and round and can squeeze through tiny blood tubes (vessels). Normally, red blood cells live for about 120 days before new ones replace them. People with sickle cell conditions make a different form of hemoglobin A called hemoglobin S (S stands for sickle). Red blood cells containing mostly hemoglobin S do not live as long as normal red blood cells (normally about 16 days). They also become stiff, distorted in shape and have difficulty passing through the body’s small blood vessels. When sickle-shaped cells block small blood vessels, less blood can reach that part of the body. Tissue that does not receive a normal blood flow eventually becomes damaged. This is what causes the complications of sickle cell disease.
Types of Sickle Cell Disease There are several types of sickle cell disease. The most common are: Sickle Cell Anemia (SS), Sickle-Hemoglobin C Disease (SC)Sickle Beta-Plus Thalassemia and Sickle Beta-Zero Thalassemia.
Mild or moderate loss of motor function accompanied by spasticity in the lower extremities. This condition is a manifestation of Central Nervous System diseases that cause injury to the motor cortex or descending motor pathways.
Spina bifida is a birth defect that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings. The term spina bifida comes from Latin and literally means "split" or "open" spine.Spina bifida occurs at the end of the first month of pregnancy when the two sides of the embryo's spine fail to join together, leaving an open area. In some cases, the spinal cord or other membranes may push through this opening in the back. The condition usually is detected before a baby is born and treated right away.Types of Spina BifidaThe causes of spina bifida are largely unknown. Some evidence suggests that genes may play a role, but in most cases there is no familial connection. A high fever during pregnancy may increase a woman's chances of having a baby with spina bifida. Women with epilepsy who have taken the drug valproic acid to control seizures may have an increased risk of having a baby with spina bifida.The two forms of spina bifida are spina bifida occulta and spina bifida manifesta.Spina bifida occulta is the mildest form of spina bifida (occulta means hidden). Most children with this type of defect never have any health problems, and the spinal cord is often unaffected.Spina bifida manifesta includes two types of spina bifida:1. Meningocele involves the meninges, the membranes responsible for covering and protecting the brain and spinal cord. If the meninges push through the hole in the vertebrae (the small, ring-like bones that make up the spinal column), the sac is called a meningocele.2. Myelomeningocele is the most severe form of spina bifida. It occurs when the meninges push through the hole in the back, and the spinal cord also pushes though. Most babies who are born with this type of spina bifida also have hydrocephalus, an accumulation of fluid in and around the brain.Because of the abnormal development of and damage to the spinal cord, a child with myelomeningocele typically has some paralysis. The degree of paralysis largely depends on where the opening occurs in the spine. The higher the opening is on the back, the more severe the paralysis tends to be.Children with spina bifida often have problems with bowel and bladder control, and some may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other learning difficulties, such as hand-eye coordination problems.
A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is damage or trauma to the spinal cord that results in a loss or impaired function causing reduced mobility or feeling. Common causes of damage are trauma (car accident, gunshot, falls, sports injuries, etc.) or disease (Transverse Myelitis, Polio, Spina Bifida, Friedreich's Ataxia, etc.). The spinal cord does not have to be severed in order for a loss of functioning to occur. In most people with SCI, the spinal cord is intact, but the cellular damage to it results in loss of functioning. SCI is very different from back injuries such as ruptured disks, spinal stenosis or pinched nerves.It is possible for a person to "break their back or neck" yet not sustain a spinal cord injury as long as only the bones (the vertebrae) around the spinal cord are damaged, but the spinal cord is not affected. In these cases, the person may not experience paralysis after the vertebrae are stabilized. Learn more about stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury, click here.
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease that attacks nerve cells, called motor neurons, in your spinal cord. These neurons communicate with your voluntary muscles - the ones you can control, like in your arms and legs. As you lose the neurons, your muscles weaken. This can affect walking, crawling, breathing, swallowing and head and neck control.SMA runs in families. Parents usually have no symptoms, but still carry the gene. Genetic counseling is important if the disease runs in your family.There are many types of SMA, and some of them are fatal. Life expectancy depends on the type you have and how it affects your breathing.
Cerebellar degeneration is a disease associated with the brain. When neurons in the cerebellum of the brain ‘degenerate,’ or deteriorate and die, cerebellar degeneration occurs. The cerebellum controls muscle coordination and balance, so that its malfunction causes the affected individual to walk wide-legged and in an unsteady, lurching manner. Such a characteristic is often accompanied by tremor evident in the trunk of the body, jerky movement of the arms or legs, slurred speech, and the rapid movement of the eyes. This medical condition is caused by mutations in the individual’s genes, inherited from the parents. Such a gene mutation affects the expected and normal production of certain proteins that are essential to the sustenance and survival of neurons. At present, there is known cure for this condition, but several in-depth studies are being made in the field of science and medicine to find the proper treatment and drug to counter the effects of cerebellar degeneration. Some other diseases are associated with this condition; some of them include diseases that concern the brain or other parts of the body that somehow causes neurons to deteriorate in the cerebellum. Some of these include acute and hemorrhagic stroke, which occurs when there is lack of oxygen in the cerebellum; cerebellar cortical atrophy, multisystem atrophy and olivopontocerebellar degeneration, which are progressive degenerative disorders; Friedreich’s ataxia, a disease caused by inherited genetic mutations that progressively targets neurons for deterioration in the cerebellum, brain stem, and spinal cord; and “Mad Cow Disease,” where the presence of abnormal proteins causes the brain to degenerate.
Types of Stroke:Ischemic StrokeAn ischemic stroke occurs when an artery that supplies blood and oxygen to the brain becomes blocked. Most strokes are of this type. Blood clots are the most common cause of artery blockage. Ischemic strokes can also be caused by a narrowing of the arteries (called stenosis). The most common condition that causes stenosis is atherosclerosis. In atherosclerosis, plaque (a mixture of fatty substances including cholesterol and other lipids) and blood clots build up inside the artery walls, causing thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity. These lead to decreased blood flow.Hemorrhagic StrokeA hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery in the brain bursts. Hemorrhage can occur in several ways. One cause is an aneurysm, a weak or thin spot on an artery wall that can expand like a balloon. The thin walls of the stretched artery can rupture or break. Hemorrhage also occurs when arterial walls lose their elasticity and become brittle and thin. They can then crack and bleed. This can happen with atherosclerosis. High blood pressure increases the risk of a hemorrhagic stroke.There are two main types of hemorrhagic stroke. An intracerebral hemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks blood into the brain itself. A subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding under the outer membranes of the brain and into the thin fluid–filled space that surrounds the brain.Transient Ischemic AttacksA transient ischemic attack (TIA) is sometimes called a mini–stroke. It starts just like a stroke but then clears up within 24 hours, leaving no apparent symptoms or deficits. A TIA is a warning that the person is at risk for a more serious stroke. Having other risk factors increases a person's chances of a recurrent stroke if they have had a TIA. For most TIAs the symptoms go away within an hour. However, there is no way to tell whether symptoms will be a TIA or a more serious stroke that can lead to death or disability. The sudden onset of the symptoms of a stroke should signal an emergency. Patients and witnesses should not wait to see if the symptoms go away.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multiorgan system autoimmune disease with numerous immunological and clinical manifestations. It is characterized by an autoantibody response to nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens. The disease mainly involves the skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, and nervous system.
Transverse myelitis is a neurological disorder caused by inflammation across both sides of one level, or segment, of the spinal cord. The term myelitis refers to inflammation of the spinal cord; transverse simply describes the position of the inflammation, that is, across the width of the spinal cord. Attacks of inflammation can damage or destroy myelin, the fatty insulating substance that covers nerve cell fibers. This damage causes nervous system scars that interrupt communications between the nerves in the spinal cord and the rest of the body. Symptoms of transverse myelitis include a loss of spinal cord function over several hours to several weeks. What usually begins as a sudden onset of lower back pain, muscle weakness, or abnormal sensations in the toes and feet can rapidly progress to more severe symptoms, including paralysis, urinary retention, and loss of bowel control. Although some patients recover from transverse myelitis with minor or no residual problems, others suffer permanent impairments that affect their ability to perform ordinary tasks of daily living. Most patients will have only one episode of transverse myelitis; a small percentage may have a recurrence.
The vascular system is the body's network of blood vessels. It includes the arteries, veins and capillaries that carry blood to and from the heart. Problems of the vascular system are common and can be serious. Arteries can become thick and stiff, a problem called arteriosclerosis. Blood clots can clog vessels and block blood flow to the heart or brain. Weakened blood vessels can burst, causing bleeding inside the body.Vascular DiseasesWhat is a vascular disease?Vascular disease is mainly caused by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) due to a thickening of the artery lining from fatty deposits or plaques (atheroma).The arteries are blood vessels that supply blood, oxygen and nutrients to the body from the heart. Narrow, hardened arteries make it more difficult for blood to flow through and reach the tissue in question. Those parts of the body most affected by this disease suffer the consequences of an inadequate blood supply: poor function, tissue damage and, in worst cases, death.There are different symptoms, depending on where the vascular disease is. It most commonly affects the arteries of the heart, brain and legs.The heart - cardiovascular diseaseA mild degree of atherosclerosis does not cause any symptoms. More severe cases of coronary atherosclerosis may be associated with chest pain on exertion that settles within a few minutes of rest (angina).If any of the arteries supplying the heart (coronary arteries) get completely blocked (coronary thrombosis), the part of the heart muscle that's deprived of blood dies, causing a heart attack (myocardial infarction). If you have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, be aware of heavy or tight chest pain, sometimes also experienced in the throat or left arm. Pain of this nature, not settling within 20 minutes, should be assessed urgently by a doctor or paramedic.The brain - cerebrovascular diseaseNarrowed arteries in the brain can become blocked by clots (cerebral thrombosis). Clots can form in the main carotid arteries in the neck that supply blood to brain or in smaller cerebral arteries. Alternatively, smaller diseased arteries may rupture and bleed into the brain (cerebral haemorrhage).Both of these events damage the brain and are collectively referred to as strokes (cerebrovascular accidents or CVAs). A stroke normally produces sudden symptoms. Depending on the artery affected, these can include numbness or paralysis on one side, speech difficulties, difficulty swallowing and problems with vision, balance and coordination.The legs - peripheral vascular diseaseAtherosclerosis can cause cramping pain in the leg muscles on exertion that settles after a few minutes' rest (intermittent claudication). In the early stages of the condition, the pain usually occurs in the calves with a particular walking distance or effort, but settles again after 5 to 10 minutes' rest. The pain is a result of the leg muscles not getting enough blood to cater for the physical effort needed.More advanced atherosclerosis may cause constant pain at rest, ulceration of the lower leg and even gangrene in the toes and feet.
Also called: WNV West Nile virus (WNV) is an infectious disease that first appeared in the United States in 1999. Infected mosquitoes spread the virus that causes it. People who contract WNV usually have no symptoms or mild symptoms. Those with symptoms may have a fever, headache, body aches, skin rash or swollen lymph glands. If West Nile virus enters the brain, however, it can be deadly. It may cause inflammation of the brain, called encephalitis, or inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, called menigistis.
West syndrome is composed of the triad of infantile spasms, an interictal EEG pattern termed hypsarrhythmia, and mental retardation, although the diagnosis can be made even if one of the 3 elements is missing (according to the international classification). This severe epilepsy syndrome is an age-dependent expression of a damaged brain. The term "infantile spasms" has been used to describe the seizure type, the epilepsy syndrome, or both. In this article, the term "infantile spasms" is synonymous with West syndrome.Infantile spasm constitutes 2% of childhood epilepsies but 25% of epilepsy with onset in the first year of life. The rate of infantile spasm is estimated between 2.5 to 6.0 per 10,000 live births. Its prevalence rate is 1.5-2.0 per 10,000 children aged 10 years or younger.
Kennedy disease is an X-linked recessive form of spinal muscular atrophy. It occurs only in men. Age at onset is usually in the third to fifth decade of life, but earlier involvement has been reported. The disorder is characterized by slowly progressive limb and bulbar muscle weakness with fasciculations, muscle atrophy, and gynecomastia. The disorder is clinically similar to, but genetically distinct from, classic forms of autosomal spinal muscular atrophy.