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Abnormal and unusual movements Head turning to shift eye positionFacial movements, including grimacesSlow, uncontrolled movementsQuick, sudden, jerking movements of arms, legs, face, and other body partsUnsteady gaitBehavior changes Antisocial...
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The symptoms of HD fall into three categories: motor or movement symptoms, personality and behavioral changes, and cognitive decline. The severity and rate of progression of each type of symptom can vary from person to person.
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Some neurological changes have been seen in HD. However, the connection of many of these changes to the disease's symptoms is still not understood.
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Huntington disease is caused by a defect in the gene(an inherited unit which contains a code for a protein) of unknown function called huntingtin. The nucleotide codes(building blocks of genes arranged in a specific code which chemically forms int...
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The symptoms of HD fall into three categories: motor or movement symptoms, personality and behavioral changes, and cognitive decline. The severity and rate of progression of each type of symptom can vary from person to person.
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A seizure is the physical findings or changes in behavior that occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.Secondary seizures; Reactive seizures; Seizure- secondary; Seizure- reactive.There are a wide variety of possible sy...
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A seizure is a sudden change in behavior characterized by changes in sensory perception(sense of feeling) or motor activity(movement) due to an abnormal firing of nerve cells in the brain. Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurrent seizure...
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Detailed information on epilepsy and seizures, including the different types of seizures, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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A seizure is a sudden change in behavior characterized by changes in sensory perception(sense of feeling) or motor activity(movement) due to an abnormal firing of nerve cells in the brain. Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurrent seizure...
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Detailed information on epilepsy and seizures, including the different types of seizures, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Detailed information on epilepsy and seizures, including the different types of seizures, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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The intense, involuntary muscular contractions that often accompany seizures are referred to as convulsions. Seizures normally last three to five minutes, with a period of unconsciousness that may last for up to 30 minutes.Seizures can result from...
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Detailed information on epilepsy and seizures, including the different types of seizures, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Children with epilepsy may have seizures only once in a while, or every day. Though seizures can be scary for parents and caregivers, they aren't painful and are usually brief.
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A seizure results from a sudden rush of abnormal electrical signals in the brain. Symptoms may range from a minor daze to uncontrollable muscle spasms (convulsion). In some cases, the victim may even lose consciousness. A seizure can be caused by a high fever, head injury, drug reaction, or condition such as epilepsy.
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Although not a psychiatric disorder, epilepsy has a psychiatric aspect. The link is manifested in similar, often overlapping, symptoms, so it is important that caregivers diagnose and treat their patients with care.
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People with certain mental conditions can experience seizures that appear to be epilepsy but are actually psychogenic seizures. Studies are finding ways to distinguish between the two types to facilitate proper treatment.
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How does estrogen use and menopause affect someone with a seizure disorder?
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Chorea refers to brief, repetitive, jerky, or dancelike uncontrolled movements caused by muscle contractions that occur as symptoms of several different disorders. The English word"chorea" itself comes from the Greek word choreia, which means"danc...
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Tremors are a type of involuntary shaking movement. Involuntary means you shake without trying to do so.Tremors are caused by problems with the nerves supplying certain muscles.
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Tremor is an unintentional(involuntary) rhythmical alternating movement that may affect the muscles of any part of the body. Tremor is caused by the rapid alternating contraction and relaxation of muscles and is a common symptom of diseases of the...
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Tremor is an unintentional(involuntary), rhythmical alternating movement that may affect the muscles of any part of the body. Tremor is caused by the rapid alternating contraction and relaxation of muscles and is a common symptom of diseases of th...
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Tremor is an unintentional(involuntary), rhythmical alternating movement that may affect the muscles of any part of the body. Tremor is caused by the rapid alternating contraction and relaxation of muscles and is a common symptom of diseases of th...
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Uncontrollable movements are slow, twisting, continuous, and involuntary movements of the arms, legs, face, neck, or other parts of the body.Uncontrolled movements; Involuntary body movements; Body movements- uncontrollable; Dyskinesia; Athetosis....
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Movement disorders are a group of diseases and syndromes affecting the ability to produce and control bodily movements.It seems simple and effortless, but normal movement requires an astonishingly complex system of control. Disruption of any porti...
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Mood disorders are mental disorders characterized by periods of depression, sometimes alternating with periods of elevated mood.While many people go through sad or elated moods from time to time, people with mood disorders suffer from severe or pr...
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Detailed information on the most common types of mood disorders, including major depression, manic depression (bipolar disorder), dysthymia, seasonal affective disorder, and suicide
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While many other factors influence the level of these chemicals, such as hormones, heredity, drugs, and alcohol, three neurotransmitters—dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin—have been studied in relation to food, and this research h...
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Most people have mood changes now and then. One day they may feel cranky and the next day, they feel great. But with an affective disorder, mood changes aren't so simple. These disorders can cause great emotional pain, and can greatly disrupt your life. Affective disorders can be treated. Talk to your health care provider or a mental health professional. He or she can help.
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Affective disorders are disorders of your mood. They include depression and bipolar disorder (also called manic-depression). These disorders are often treated with medications and therapy. Your health care provider can give you more information about the treatments that are appropriate for you.
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Colds and the flu can be passed from one person to another, but did you realize that emotions can be passed just as easily?
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For many women, the "baby blues" pass quickly. For others, the feelings of sadness don't ease and may become worse.
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Personality changes are alterations in the behavior, thinking and interactions of a person from their established character. These changes may be indicative of chemical dependencies, psychiatric illness, dementia, trauma, illness, altered body chemistry or temperature, or poisoning.
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Muscle twitches are fine movements of a small area of muscle.Muscle twitching is caused by minor muscle contractions in the area, or the uncontrollable twitching of a muscle group that is served by a single motor nerve fiber or filament.Muscle twi...
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Muscle rigidity is an alteration of muscle tone in which the muscles are in an involuntary state of continual tension. Muscle rigidity can be a manifestation of neurological damage (basal ganglia diseases) or a side effect of certain medications.
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Mental retardation is a condition diagnosed before age 18 that includes below-average general intellectual function, and a lack of the skills necessary for daily living.Mental retardation affects about 1- 3% of the population. There are many cause...
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(Also called sociocultural or cultural-familial retardation).Mild mental retardation attributed to environmental causes and generally involving some degree of psychosocial disadvantage.The majority of persons suffering from mental retardation fall...
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According to the definition in the American Psychiatric Association''s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual(DSM-IV), a mentally retarded person is significantly limited in at least two of the following areas: self-care, communication, home living, soc...
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Mental retardation is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as an intellectual functioning level(as measured by standard tests for intelligence quotient) that is well below average and signifi...
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Mental retardation is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as an intellectual functioning level(as measured by standard tests for intelligence quotient) that is well below average and signifi...
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Mental retardation(MR) is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as a level of intellectual functioning(as measured by standard intelligence tests) that is well below average and results in sig...
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Mental retardation(MR) is a developmental disability that first appears in children under the age of 18. It is defined as a level of intellectual functioning(as measured by standard intelligence tests) that is well below average and results in sig...
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Speech and language impairment may be any of several problems that make it difficult to communicate.Language impairment; Impairment of speech; Inability to speak; Aphasia; Dysarthria; Slurred speech; Dysphonia voice disorders.
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Speech disorders treated by speech-language pathologists include voice disorders(abnormalities in pitch, volume, vocal quality, or resonance or duration of sounds), articulation disorders(problems producing speech sounds), and fluency disorders(im...
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Detailed information on speech and voice disorders, including spasmodic dysphonia and stuttering
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Speech disorders are characterized by a difficulty in producing normal speech patterns.Children go through many stages of speech production while they are learning to communicate. What is normal in the speech of a child of one age may be a sign of...
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According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association(ASHA), a language disorder is an impairment in comprehension use of the spoken, written, or other symbol system.Speech disorders affect the language and mechanics, the content of speech...
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Speech-language pathology is the treatment for the improvement or cure of communication disorders, including speech, language, and swallowing disorders. The term used to describe professionals in this discipline is speech and language pathologist(...
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A speech disorder is a communication disorder characterized by an impaired ability to produce speech sounds or normal voice, or to speak fluently.Speech disorders belong to a broad category of disorders called communication disorders that also inc...
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The field of speech pathology, formerly known as speech therapy, is concerned with disorders of speech and language. A speech-language pathologist is a professional trained to diagnose and treat language and speech disorders.Speech pathology addre...
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The term"irritability" is used for infants and young children who, when ill, are especially fussy, whiny, and fretful, despite attempts at comforting and soothing them.Parents are usually very aware of their child''s normal behavior and may pick up...
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Children can become cranky, fussy or irritable for many reasons. Often it's because they're hungry or just tired. But sometimes irritability can be a sign of illness in children.
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One of the best ways to respond to other people's emotions is to "reflect" their mood back to them.
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Forgetfulness; Amnesia; Impaired memory; Loss of memory; Mild cognitive impairment.The cause determines whether amnesia comes on slowly or suddenly, and whether it is temporary or permanent.Normal aging may lead to trouble learning new material or...
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A practical guide to the causes of memory loss and the steps you can take to improve your ability to learn and remember for a lifetime.
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Memory loss can be partial or total. Most memory loss occurs as part of the normal aging process.
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In older people, it's easy to mistake memory problems for the everyday forgetfulness that some people experience as they grow older.
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The health of your heart can affect your mind: Research shows risk factors for heart disease and stroke may also contribute to memory loss or Alzheimer's disease.
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This report is an important reference tool for patients and caregivers alike. Offers information on the symptoms, causes, and treatments for this debilitating condition, as well as caregiving tips.
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Amnesia refers to the loss of memory. Memory loss may result from two-sided(bilateral) damage to parts of.
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Unpredictable, frustrating and, at times, embarrassing memory lapses can be common. So if frequent bouts of forgetfulness are causing you stress and worry, take note: there is most likely a simple explanation.
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Confusion is the inability to think with your usual speed or clarity, including feeling disoriented and having difficulty paying attention, remembering, and making decisions.Disorientation; Thinking- unclear; Thoughts- cloudy.Confusion may come on...
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Bruxism is when you clench(tightly hold your top and bottom teeth together) or grind(slide your teeth back and forth over each other) your teeth.People can clench and grind without being aware of it during both the day and night, although sleep-re...
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Bruxism is the habit of clenching and grinding the teeth. It most often occurs at night during sleep, but it may also occur during the day.
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Detailed information on bruxism, including causes, diagnosis, and treatment Bruxism is the term that refers to an incessant grinding and clenching of the teeth, unintentionally, and at inappropriate times. Bruxers (persons with bruxism) are often unaware that they have developed this habit, and often do not know that treatment is available until damage to the mouth and teeth has been done. Damage caused by bruxism often includes the following symptoms. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
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Bruxism is a habitual grinding or clenching of the teeth. The behavior is usually unconscious, occurs most often during sleep, and is a reaction to periods of stress in the patient''s life.Bruxers often unknowingly grind their teeth.
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Bruxism is the habit of clenching and grinding the teeth. It most often occurs at night during sleep, but may also occur during the day.
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Many people with cancer experience memory changes—such as mild forgetfulness, an inability to concentrate on more than one task, or more severe memory loss—after undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments. In other cases, as in a ...
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Muscle stiffness is feeling of tension and contraction in the muscles, that may limit normal range of motion. Sometimes muscles feel stiff after periods of vigorous use, for example athletic activities, physical labor or weight lifting.
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Spasticity is stiff or rigid muscles with exaggerated, deep tendon reflexes(for example, a knee-jerk reflex). The condition can interfere with walking, movement, or speech.
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Spasticity is a form of muscle overactivity. A spastic muscle is one in which a muscle resists being stretched out, and the resistance to stretch is greater the faster the muscle is moved.
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Spasticity is an abnormal increase in muscle tone. It may be associated with involuntary muscle spasms, sustained muscle contractions(dystonia), and exaggerated deep tendon reflexes that make movement difficult or uncontrollable.
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Uncontrolled or slow movement is defined as a problem with muscle tone, usually in large muscle groups, that leads to slow involuntary contractions of the head, limbs, trunk, or neck.Dystonia; Involuntary slow and twisting movements; Choreoathetos...
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Dystonia is a group of complex neurological movement disorders. While the disorders vary in their symptoms, causes, progression, and treatment, dystonia is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and spasms that result in abnormal posture...
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Dystonia is a group of complex neurological movement disorders. While the disorders vary in their symptoms, causes, progression, and treatment, dystonia is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and spasms that result in abnormal posture...
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Dystonia is a disabling movement disorder characterized by sustained contraction of muscles leading to twisting distorted postures. Dystonia may affect various parts of the body and has multiple causes, making classification and diagnosis challeng...
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Chronic motor tic disorder involves quick, uncontrollable movements or vocal outbursts(but not both).Chronic vocal tic disorder; Tic- chronic motor tic disorder.About 1 to 2% of the population has chronic motor tic disorder. The condition is more ...
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