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Schizophrenia is the most chronic and disabling of the severe mental disorders, associated with abnormalities of brain structure and function, disorganized speech and behavior, delusions, and hallucinations. It is sometimes called a psychotic diso...
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Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it difficult to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences, to think logically, to have normal emotional responses, and to behave normally in social situations.Schizophrenia is a complex i...
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Detailed information on schizophrenia, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
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The symptoms of schizophrenia are severe and ongoing. They can disrupt lives and cause great suffering. But treatment may help relieve many of these symptoms. Most often, treatment includes both medication and counseling (psychotherapy). It also may involve help with social and life skills.
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Detailed information on schizophrenia, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
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Schizophrenia is a severe and puzzling disorder of the brain. It dramatically alters the way a person thinks, acts, and feels. It can disrupt each life it touches. And it can cause great emotional pain. If a loved one has schizophrenia, don't lose hope. Right now, there is no cure. But treatment may help ease symptoms. Also, many support services exist for people with schizophrenia and their families.
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Detailed information on schizophrenia, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
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A look at schizophrenia's roots.Scientists are tracing its roots in the genome and the brain.
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Hearing voices is a common symptom of schizophrenia. While some patients find relief with antipsychotic drugs, other techinques under investigation include electrical stimulation, cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, and meditation.
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While the positive symptoms of schizophrenia are more obvious, negative symptoms are more troubling to those with the disease, and limit their ability to function normally in the world.
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People with schizophrenia are at greater risk of dying from heart disease. This may be caused by insufficient attention to a patient's physical health, but some antipsychotic medications worsen the risk for diabetes and heart disease.
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Schizophrenics, especially women, have a much higher incidence of the metabolic syndrome. This may be due to their medications, which cause weight gain, but a tendency to obesity predates the use of antipsychotic drugs.
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Treatment of patients with schizophrenia often falters because patients are unwilling or unable to maintain doctor's appointments and medication schedules. Transitional services such as assertive community treatment can improve the chances of success.
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Schizophrenia, often misunderstood as split personality, is a chronic mental illness characterized by psychosis, or loss of reality testing. It is a heterogeneous disease in its presentation, course, effect on functioning, response to treatment, a...
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Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder(or group of disorders) marked by severely impaired thinking, emotions, and behaviors. The term schizophrenia comes from two Greek words that mean"split mind."
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Between 1 and 2% of Americans are thought to be afflicted with schizophrenia—at least 2.5 million at any given time, with an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 new cases every year. Although the name"schizophrenia," coined in 1911 by Swiss psychol...
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Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder(or a group of disorders) marked by severely impaired thinking, emotions, and behaviors. Schizophrenic patients are typically unable to filter sensory stimuli and may have enhanced perceptions of sounds, colors...
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Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by disordered thinking, delusions, hallucinations, emotional disturbance, and withdrawal from reality.Some experts view schizophrenia as a group of related illnesses with similar characteristics. Alt...
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Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder(or a group of disorders) marked by severely impaired thinking, emotions, and behaviors. Schizophrenic patients are typically unable to filter sensory stimuli and may have enhanced perceptions of sounds, colors...
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Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder(or a group of disorders) marked by severely impaired thinking, emotions, and behaviors. Schizophrenic patients are typically unable to filter sensory stimuli and may have enhanced perceptions of sounds, colors...
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Schizophrenia is a collection of related psychiatric disorders of unknown etiology that follow a specific pattern of behavior. Typical behavior seen in schizophrenia includes psychotic episodes in which there is a severe mental disturbance and per...
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Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder(or a group of disorders) marked by severely impaired thinking, emotions, and behaviors. Schizophrenic persons are typically unable to filter sensory stimuli and may have enhanced perceptions of sounds, colors,...
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A British study found that rates of schizophrenia were higher among ethnic minorities and in urban areas, but the findings do not shed any light on the causes of psychosis.
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Discusses new schizophrenia treatments and their side effect, and how they compare to old treatments.
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My husband has been struggling with schizophrenia and anxiety for the last two years. We would like to have children someday, and are a bit concerned about the risks of passing on mental illness to our children. Are there genetic tests available to test for mental illnesses? If not, what would be the risk that our child would develop mental illness?
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Schizophrenics tend to have a higher incidence of medical problems, possibly because their mental illness prevents them from properly assessing their own health, or their mental health providers are not monitoring their physical condition.
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A Harvard Medical School physician answers your question about early care and treatment of schizophrenia.
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Bipolar, or manic-depressive, disorder is a mood disorder that causes radical emotional changes and mood swings, from manic highs to depressive lows. The majority of bipolar individuals experience alternating episodes of mania(an elevated or eupho...
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Bipolar disorder involves periods of excitability(mania) alternating with periods of depression. The"mood swings" between mania and depression can be very abrupt.Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally.
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Detailed information on manic depression, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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The average age at onset of bipolar disorder is from adolescence through the early twenties. However, because of the complexity of the disorder, a correct diagnosis can be delayed for several years or more.
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Bipolar, or manic-depressive disorder, is a mood disorder that causes radical emotional changes and mood swings, from manic highs to depressive lows. The majority of bipolar individuals experience alternating episodes of mania and depression.
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Bipolar disorder, or manic depression, is a serious and potentially disabling mental illness. People with the condition can experience dramatic mood swings that take them from euphoria to depression, from recklessness to listlessness, often in short periods of time.
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Bipolar disorder results in extreme mood swings that can greatly disrupt your life. These symptoms may cause you distress. But with treatment, you can lead a more normal life.
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Detailed information on manic depression, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Bipolar disorder is characterized by severe and unusual changes in energy level, mood, and interactions with others. The mood swings associated with bipolar disorder are unpredictable, and range from mania(elevated or irritable mood) to depression...
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Bipolar disorder is characterized by mood swings, which are unpredictable and range from mania(elevated and irritable mood) to depression(a mood characterized by loss of interest and sadness). The disorder causes significant difficulties or impair...
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Detailed information on manic depression, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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A person with bipolar disorder experiencing mania often has feelings of self-importance, elation, talkativeness, increased sociability, and a desire to embark on goal-oriented activities, coupled with the characteristics of irritability, impatienc...
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The average age of onset of bipolar disorder is from adolescence through the early twenties. However, because of the complexity of the disorder, a correct diagnosis can be delayed for several years or more.
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Detailed information on manic depression, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Bipolar disorders is the name given to a group of mental disorders characterized by extreme fluctuations in.mood. People diagnosed with bipolar disorders experience moods ranging from deepest depression to mania, often with periods of less extreme...
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A mixed episode is a discrete period during which a person experiences nearly daily fluctuations in mood that qualify for diagnoses of manic episode and major depressive episode. Over the course of at least one week, the mood of a person experienc...
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Bipolar disorder is often not recognized in children or is misdiagnosed as ADHD. Therapy along with a combination of medications can be effective, but there is often a lengthy dosage adjustment trial period, and there are numerous possible side effects.
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Children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) are at above-average risk for bipolar disorder: about one in four has or will develop it. Within a 10-year period, a person whose bipolar disorder is not treated with medication usually ...
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Bipolar disorder is difficult to diagnose because its cycles of mania and depression may be mistaken for other psychological conditions. Medications can treat the symptoms, but finding the proper combination for each patient can be a lengthy process.
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Lithium has been proven to be effective at reducing the risk of suicide in patients being treated for bipolar disorder, probably because of its mood-stabilizing properties.
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At one time, bipolar disorder was treatable only with lithium. Now several categries of drugs are used, frequently in combination, to treat symptoms and prevent them from reoccuring.
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The main treatments for bipolar disorder are medication and talk therapy. Frequently, the two are combined.
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Study of the gene that helps regulate humans' circadian rhythms has found that an irregularity in this gene may be related to the development of bipolar disorder.
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Diagnosis of bipolar disorder in children has risen dramatically in recent years. It is difficult to diagnose because symptoms often overlap with other disorders, particularly ADHD.
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Drug interactions are changes in the effect of one drug due to the effect of either another drug taken at the same time(drug-drug interactions) or food consumed while the drug is being taken(drug-food interactions).Some drugs are deliberately comb...
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Drug allergies are a group of symptoms caused by allergic reaction to a drug(medication).Adverse reactions to drugs are common, and almost any drug can cause an adverse reaction. Reactions range from irritating or mild side effects such as nausea ...
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Detailed information on different types of drug rashes, including acne, exfoliative dermatitis, fixed drug eruption, hives, morbiliform/maculopapular rash, purpuric eruptions, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
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A drug allergy is an adverse reaction to a medication, often an antibiotic, that is mediated by the body''s immune system. A drug sensitivity is an unusual reaction to a drug that does not involve the immune system.Adverse reactions to medication m...
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If you want to be fully informed, you should read the fine print connected with any drug that you intend to use.
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Drug metabolism is the process by which the body breaks down and converts medication into active chemical substances.Drugs can interact with other drugs, foods, and beverages. Interactions can lessen or magnify the desired therapeutic effect of a ...
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Detailed information on food-drug interactions A food-drug interaction can occur when the food you eat affects the ingredients in a medication you are taking, preventing the medicine from working the way it should.
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Chemotherapy and radiation treatments save lives. They also can bring a variety of temporary but unpleasant side effects.
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A guide to information available online and in print about the side effects of prescription drugs.
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Exploring the causes and treatment for loss of taste, which may result from years of taking high blood pressure medications.
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Can the high blood pressure drugs Vasotec and Toprol affect the libido?
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Major depression with psychotic features is a condition in which a person experiences depression along with reduced contact with reality(psychosis). This can take the form of false beliefs(delusions) or seeing or hearing something that isn''t reall...
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Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases.Chronic brain syndrome; Lewy body dementia; DLB; Vascular dementia.The two major causes of non-reversible(degenerative) dementia are:.Alzheimer''s disease Loss of brain function...
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Many older adults are healthy, active, and alert. But sometimes older people become confused and forgetful. They can also seem anxious, depressed, or withdrawn. These changes may be the result of a primary dementia.
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Second-generation antipsychotic drugs are sometimes being used to treat dementia in the elderly, but the potential side effects and other risks outweight the benefits in many instances.
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As we age, we face an increased risk of diminished mental capacity. But a combination of continued mental stimulation, proper diet and attention to health matters, and physical activity can help ward off mental problems.
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Research suggests that people with more active brains are less susceptible to dementia. It may be that their brains perform mental tasks more efficiently, thus creating a reserve of brain capacity.
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Dementia is a condition characterized by a chronic decline in cognitive functions contrasted with a person''s usual state of functioning. It is seen most often in people sixty-five years and older, and the incidence increases with age.
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Dementia is a loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living, lasting more than six months, not present since birth, and not associated with a loss or alteration of consciousness.Dementia is a group of sym...
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Dementia is not a specific disorder or disease. It is a syndrome(group of symptoms) associated with a progressive loss of memory and other intellectual functions that is serious enough to interfere with the tasks of daily life.
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Dementia is not a specific disorder or disease. It is a syndrome(group of symptoms) associated with a progressive loss of memory and other intellectual functions that is serious enough to interfere with the tasks of daily life.
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Dementia is a loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living, lasting more than six months, not present since birth, and not associated with a loss or alteration of consciousness.Dementia is a group of sym...
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Dementia is not a specific disorder or disease. It is a syndrome(group of symptoms) associated with a progressive loss of memory and other intellectual functions that is serious enough to interfere with performing the tasks of daily life.
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The term dementia refers to symptoms, including changes in memory, personality, and behavior, that result from a change in the functioning of the brain. These declining changes are severe enough to impair the ability of a person to perform a funct...
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Dementia is a condition characterized by a progressive, irreversible decline in mental ability, accompanied by changes in behavior and personality. There is commonly a loss of memory and skills that are required to carry out activities of daily li...
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The following Clinical Topic Tour provides an overview of stroke and was adapted from materials published by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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A stroke is the sudden death of brain cells in a localized area due to inadequate blood flow.A stroke occurs when blood flow is interrupted to part of the brain. Without blood to supply oxygen and nutrients and to remove waste products, brain cell...
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A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain. A stroke is sometimes called a"brain attack.".Cerebrovascular disease; CVA; Cerebral infarction; Cerebral hemorrhage; Ischemic stroke; Stroke- ischemic.Approximately every 4...
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During a stroke, blood stops flowing to part of the brain. This can damage areas in the brain that control the rest of the body. Get help right away if any of these symptoms come on suddenly, even if the symptoms don't last.
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Stroke is an increasing public health concern throughout the world as the leading cause of long-term disability. There is estimated to be over 3.5 million survivors of stroke in the United States.
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A stroke is an interruption of blood circulation to the brain causing a neurologic deficit reflecting the area of the brain affected. Stroke can be ischemic or hemorrhagic. 1 Ischemic stroke is most prevalent.
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A stroke is the sudden death of brain cells in a localized area due to inadequate blood flow.A stroke occurs when blood flow is interrupted to part of the brain. Without blood to supply oxygen and nutrients and to remove waste products, brain cell...
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including history, statistics, symptoms, types, effects, diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation information
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This report provides current information about stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.
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Detailed information on a stroke's effects on different portions of the brain The effects of stroke vary from person to person based on the type, severity, and location of the stroke. The brain is extremely complex and each area of the brain is responsible for a special function or ability. When an area of the brain is damaged, which typically occurs with a stroke, an impairment may result. An impairment is the loss of normal function of part of the body. Sometimes, an impairment may result in a disability, or inability to perform an activity in a normal way.
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including how to respond in a stroke emergency
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including history, statistics, symptoms, types, effects, diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation information
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including how to respond in a stroke emergency
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including history, statistics, symptoms, types, effects, diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation information
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including history, statistics, symptoms, types, effects, diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation information
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There are various clinical and pathological subtypes of stroke, and identification of the subtype is necessary for correct management. Investigations Imaging Brain imaging should be performed within the first 48 hours of the onset of stroke (see below), to determine whether the stroke is haemorrhagic or ischaemic and to exclude other causes (e.g. tumour).
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Stroke, or cerebrovascular accident(CVA), is the third leading cause of death(after heart disease and cancer) in the United States and the industrialized countries of the world. The term"stroke," which comes from subjects being suddenly"struck dow...
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Detailed information on a stroke's effects on different portions of the brain The effects of stroke vary from person to person based on the type, severity, and location of the stroke. The brain is extremely complex and each area of the brain is responsible for a special function or ability. When an area of the brain is damaged, which typically occurs with a stroke, an impairment may result. An impairment is the loss of normal function of part of the body. Sometimes, an impairment may result in a disability, or inability to perform an activity in a normal way.
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Getting your life back after having a stroke can be hard work and a slow process. But it's important to know that in most cases, you can do it.
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Women who are obese or who have gained more than 44 pounds since they were 18 years old are about two-and-a-half times more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke than lean women who have not gained a lot of weight.
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Cerebrovascular accident(CVA) is the medical term for what is commonly termed a stroke. It refers to the injury to the brain that occurs when flow of blood to brain tissue is interrupted by a clogged or ruptured artery, causing brain tissue to die...
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Detailed information on the history of stroke, also called brain attack Hippocrates, the father of medicine, first recognized stroke over 2,400 years ago. At this time stroke was called apoplexy, which means "struck down by violence" in Greek. This was due to the fact that a person developed sudden paralysis and change in well-being. Physicians had little knowledge of the anatomy and function of the brain, the cause of stroke, or how to treat it.
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A ministroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), is a brief episode of stroke symptoms caused by temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain. Most people suffer TIAs without realizing it.
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Stroke may cause physical and mental difficulties. But the good news is that you can recoup some or all of your previous abilities.
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More women than men are victims of stroke, and the consequences for survivors are more serious in women. Medication to dissolve blood clots is available, but must be administered within the first three hours after a stroke to be most effective.
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Detailed information on the history of stroke, also called brain attack Hippocrates, the father of medicine, first recognized stroke over 2,400 years ago. At this time stroke was called apoplexy, which means "struck down by violence" in Greek. This was due to the fact that a person developed sudden paralysis and change in well-being. Physicians had little knowledge of the anatomy and function of the brain, the cause of stroke, or how to treat it.
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A stroke, also called a cerebral infarction, is a life-threatening condition marked by a sudden disruption in the blood supply to the brain.A disruption in the blood supply to the brain starves the brain of oxygen-rich blood and causes the nerve c...
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including types of stroke
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Strokes often result in long-term health problems, and sometimes death. But there are steps you can take to help prevent them.
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A stroke is a medical emergency. That's why some doctors call strokes "brain attacks.”
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When your loved one returns home, you'll both need time to adjust. You and the patient will have to transfer the skills learned in rehab to a new location. Be patient with your loved one and with yourself. Planning ahead can help long-term recovery go more smoothly.
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The habits and behaviors of a healthy lifestyle can also reduce the risk of stroke: don't smoke, exercise, keep cholesterol and blood presure as low as possible, and eat a healthy diet.
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including types of stroke
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including stroke diagnosis
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A stroke, also called a cerebral vascular accident(CVA), is the sudden death of cells in a specific area of the brain due to inadequate blood flow.A stroke occurs when blood flow is interrupted to a part of the brain, either when an artery bursts ...
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including signs and symptoms of stroke emergency
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Medication to control high blood pressure only works if you take it.Medication to control high blood pressure only works if you take it. If you stop taking antihypertensive medication without discussing it with your doctor, you put yourself at risk for a stroke.
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The carotid arteries are large blood vessels that carry blood to the brain. When these arteries are healthy, the brain gets all the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function well. If the carotid arteries are damaged, however, it can greatly increase your chances of stroke. This is a sudden loss of brain function caused by a lack of blood flow.
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I have a deep muscle massage every month or so. After my sister had a stroke, I started worrying that my massages could loosen any plaque in my carotid arteries, which could make me have a stroke. Could this happen?
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including stroke diagnosis
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including stroke treatment
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including risk factors for stroke
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including signs and symptoms of stroke emergency
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including stroke treatment
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including risk factors for stroke
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Stroke is the common name for the injury to the brain that occurs when the flow of blood to brain tissue is interrupted by a clogged or burst artery. Arterial blood carries oxygen and nutrition to the cells of the body.
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including stroke rehabilitation
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Strokes occur when something interferes with the normal flow of blood to the central nervous system. Stroke is the third-leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease and cancer.
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Ultrasound carotid screening for stroke risk is being promoted as a simple detection tool, but the test does not always identify those at risk, and some doctors feel that treating the factors that contribute to risk is more beneficial to overall health.
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Detailed information on stroke, also called brain attack, including stroke rehabilitation
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A tiny wire curlicue that can snare blood clots may help more people get emergency treatment for a stroke.
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A new study suggests an aspirin before bed may lower blood pressure while protecting against heart attack and stroke.
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My father had a stroke that left him paralyzed on one side. He's aware of what's going on and can talk some, but he has severe spasticity in his left elbow, shoulder, and hand, along with muscle atrophy. Would Botox injections help his painful spasms?
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An explanation of the two-way relationship between depression and stroke. Depressed people are at higher risk for a stroke, but depression often precedes as well as follows a stroke.
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The complex relationship between cholesterol and the brain affects many areas, including possible connections to depression, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease.
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The Women's Health Study, released in March 2005, provides surprising new information about the health benefits of aspirin for women.
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After a stroke, the body can often recover some functions on its own if medical care is received promptly, but many people also need some form of rehabilatation program or physical, speech, or occupational therapy.
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A Harvard Medical School doctor answers your question about the appropriate doctor to see after suffering a stroke.
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Aspirin is safe for some healthy women over age 65 to take to prevent stroke and heart attack, but probably not for most younger women.
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People who are at risk for heart disease may be fine for some time, until a stressful event or situation acts as a trigger for a heart attack or stroke. Even in those with heart disease, some of these triggers can be minimized or avoided.
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This article discusses the drug Plavix: what it does; who needs it; and, the risks and benefits.
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HDL, the "good" cholesterol, helps prevent heart disease, but there is some evidence that suggests it may also help protect against strokes, and possibly dementia as well.
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People at risk for heart attack or stroke will likely benefit from taking low-dose daily aspirin, but for some there are greater risks (such as ulcers or gastrointestinal bleeding) that outweigh aspirin's help.
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The benefits of aspirin for those at risk for heart disease are clear, but for women under 65 who are not at risk, there is no benefit to a daily aspirin. There is evidence that taking aspirin regularly may reduce the risk of stroke, regardless of age.
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A stroke can cause problems with speech, vision, memory, balance or coordination. It can leave part of the body weakened or paralyzed, among other physical problems.
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The good news about a stroke is that it can be successfully treated. But there's a catch. For the best outcome, a stroke must be diagnosed and treated within about three hours after symptoms begin.
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About 80 percent of people who have a stroke can benefit from some form of rehabilitation.
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Although their symptoms and effects can be similar—and confusing—strokes and heart attacks are two different medical problems.
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Strokes don't have to be disabling or deadly. Knowing the warning signs of a stroke and acting quickly may help you or your loved one escape the damaging effects of a "brain attack."
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Find out how much you know about strokes and what causes them.
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Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), while seemingly insignificant, often lead to strokes within a short time span. If you experience a TIA or have symptoms that suggest one, take it seriously and seek treatment right away.
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Transient ischemic attacks???or mini-strokes???may be a harbinger of more serious problems and shouldn't be dismissed.
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A Harvard Medical School physician answers your question about proper treatment for a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
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Heart disease does not always manifest with a sudden, traumatic event. People who are already taking medication are more likely to experience a less severe attack, such as angina or a minor stroke.
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Stroke survivors often suffer pain afterward, and it often goes untreated. It may be necessary to ask for a referral to a pain specialist.
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A Harvard Medical School physician answers your question about the dangers of a small stroke affecting the eyes.
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Recognizing signs of stroke can speed treatment. Nonmedical personnel can use these guidelines as possible warning signs that a stroke has occurred.
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An expert shares his beliefs about how best to treat and avoid cancer, heart disease, and other chronic diseases.
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Is there any chance of recovery from right arm paralysis caused by a stroke after one year has passed?
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Statistics profiling the occurrence of stroke Consider the following statistics regarding strokes:
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Statistics profiling the occurrence of stroke Consider the following statistics regarding strokes:
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Detailed information on dehydration and heat stroke, including symptoms, treatment, and prevention
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Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurrent seizures that may include repetitive muscle jerking called convulsions. A seizure is a sudden disruption of the brain''s normal electrical activity accompanied by altered consciousness and/or other...
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Epilepsy is a brain disorder involving repeated, spontaneous seizures of any type. Seizures("fits," convulsions) are episodes of disturbed brain function that cause changes in attention or behavior.
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A seizure is a sudden disruption of the brain''s normal electrical activity accompanied by altered consciousness and/or other neurological and behavioral manifestations. Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain characterized by recurrent seizures that m...
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Epilepsy is a chronic(persistent) disorder of the nervous system. The primary symptoms of this disease are periodic or recurring seizures that are triggered by sudden episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
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Epilepsy is a chronic(persistent) disorder of the nervous system. The primary symptoms of this disease are periodic or recurring seizures that are triggered by sudden episodes of abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
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A seizure is a sudden disruption of the brain''s normal electrical activity accompanied by an alteration in consciousness or other neurological and behavioral manifestations. Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurrent seizures that may incl...
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Temporal lobe epilepsy(TLE) is a term that refers to a condition where seizures are generated in the portion of the brain called the temporal lobe. Either the right or the left temporal lobe can be involved, and in rare cases both temporal lobes c...
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A seizure is a sudden disruption of the brain''s normal electrical activity accompanied by altered consciousness and/or other neurological and behavioral manifestations. Epilepsy is a condition characterized by recurrent seizures that may include r...
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The outward signs of epilepsy may range from only a slight smacking of the lips or staring into space to a generalized convulsion. It is a condition that can affect anyone of any age, sex, or race.The number of people with epilepsy is not known.
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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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Detailed information on epilepsy and seizures, including how pregnancy affects epilepsy
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The words"epilepsy" and"epileptic" are of Greek origin and have the same root as the verb"epilambanein," which means"to seize" or"to attack." Therefore, epilepsy means seizure, while epileptic means seized.
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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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Alcoholism is the layman''s term for alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association and commonly called the DSM-IV, the essential featu...
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Alcoholism is drinking alcoholic beverages at a level that interferes with physical health, mental health, and social, family, or job responsibilities.Alcoholism is a type of drug addiction. There is both physical and mental dependence on alcohol....
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Like cancer or heart disease, alcoholism is a primary chronic disease with its own symptoms and causes. The disease is progressive and often fatal if not treated.
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Many older adults enjoy a glass of wine with dinner or a beer while watching the game on TV. In fact, half of Americans ages 65 and older drink alcohol. Having a drink now and then is fine—as long as you don't overdo it.
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The most important thing that friends and family can do for an alcoholic is to stop enabling the addictive behavior.
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This report includes information on recognizing the symptoms of problem drinking, treatment techniques, coping with a loved one's drinking, and overcoming denial.
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Alcoholism is an addictive disease in which the victim becomes dependent on a drug—alcohol. The disease affects the alcoholic physically, psychologically, and behaviorally. Alcoholism is not a character weakness or moral shortcoming; it is an unrelenting, progressive disease that leads to death or brain damage. But recovery is possible by stopping drinking.
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Term encompassing alcohol use, alcohol consumption, alcohol problems, problem drinking, and alcohol dependence.The concept of alcoholism, in its most general sense, refers to a disease, or disorder, typically characterized by:(a) a prolonged perio...
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The leading substance-abuse threat to children may be as close as your refrigerator. About 10 million adolescents drink alcohol. In fact, minors drink 19 percent of the alcohol consumed in the United States.
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Alcoholism is a chronic physical, psychological, and behavioral disorder characterized by excessive use of alcoholic beverages; emotional and physical dependence on them; increased tolerance over time of the effects of alcohol; and withdrawal symp...
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Alcoholism is a chronic physical, psychological, and behavioral disorder characterized by excessive use of alcoholic beverages; emotional and physical dependence on them; increased tolerance over time of the effects of alcohol; and withdrawal symp...
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Alcohol may have some health benefits, including lowering the risk for heart disease, but it may also lead to abusive drinking and other diseases.
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Physiological and metabolic differences between women and men mean that some women are more likely to develop a drinking problem, particularly as they get older.
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The essential feature of alcohol abuse is the maladaptive use of alcohol with recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to its repeated use. Alcoholism is the popular term for two disorders, alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence.
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Do you want to have more fun, to fit in, to cope better with your problems? It's as easy as taking a drink—if you believe what you see on television. But if you think that alcohol will improve your life, you're fooling yourself. The more you regularly rely on alcohol to relax you or get you "up,” the closer you move toward addiction. If you decide you are on the path to addiction, you can take action to keep it under control or find caring people to help you.
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Alcohol is considered a drug because it depresses the central nervous system and can disrupt mental and motor skills, as well as damage internal organs when used excessively.
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Alcoholism, or alcohol dependence, is described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-IV) as"A maladaptive pattern of alcohol use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.".That maladaptive pattern is ma...
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You don't have to wait for someone to hit rock bottom to act. Here are steps to help an alcoholic get treatment.
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Alcoholism is the popular term for alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. The hallmarks of both of these disorders involve repeated life problems that can be directly tied to a person''s abuse of alcohol.
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Illegal drugs such as cocaine Legal drugs such as cigarettes, alcohol, and prescription medications
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A study found that a medication called topiramate helped heavy drinkers reduce their dependence on alcohol.
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Effective treatment for alcohol dependency is available, but treatment rates among alcohol abusers are low because of lack of awareness and embarrassment.
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A study of several methods of treatment for alcoholism has found that a combination of medical management and an inexpensive medication offers a better chance for continued sobriety.
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Informal evidence shows that alcoholics who choose to attend AA meetings do better than those who do not, and the longer they are involved in attending meetings, the better their chances of remaining abstinent.
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A review of ongoing research into drugs to treat alcoholism, including a description of existing drugs and treatments on the horizon.
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A study suggests that people with a family history of alcoholism are capable of producing higher levels of a dopamine receptor in the brain that may offer them protection against the disease.
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Alzheimer''s disease(AD) is the most common form of dementia, a neurologic disease characterized by loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living, lasting at least six months, and not present from birth. A...
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Alzheimer''s disease(AD), one form of dementia, is a progressive, degenerative brain disease. It affects memory, thinking, and behavior.Memory impairment is a necessary feature for the diagnosis of this or any type of dementia.
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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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Detailed information on Alzheimer's disease, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation
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Alzheimer''s disease(AD) is the most common form of dementia, a neurologic disease characterized by a progressive loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living, lasting at least six months, and not present...
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Alzheimer disease is a neurological disorder characterized by slow, progressive memory loss due to a gradual loss of brain cells. Alzheimer disease significantly affects cognitive(thought) capabilities and, eventually, affected individuals become ...
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Alzheimer''s disease(AD) is the most common form of dementia, a neurologic disease characterized by loss of mental ability severe enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living, lasting at least six months, and not present from birth. A...
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Alzheimer''s disease, or AD, is a progressive, incurable disease of the brain caused by the degeneration and eventual death of neurons(nerve cells) in several areas of the brain.Patients with AD first lose such mental functions as short-term memory...
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The emotional aspects of Alzheimer's disease are as important as the cognitive difficulties experienced by sufferers.
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Alzheimer disease is a form of dementia caused by the destruction of brain cells. Dementia is the loss, usually progressive, of cognitive and intellectual functions.
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Alzheimer disease is a form of dementia caused by the destruction of brain cells. Dementia is the loss, usually progressive, of cognitive and intellectual functions.
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We expect people to act in certain ways. When their behavior is difficult, we expect them to change in response to care or attention. But people with Alzheimer's can't change.
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A guide to existing and emerging methods for earlier detection of Alzheimer's disease.
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Alzheimer''s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of memory along with other cognitive changes, including aphasia(language impairment), apraxia(difficulty carrying out motor activities despite intact motor function), and ag...
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For those already feeling the effects of AD, the primary need is for treatments to control their symptoms, including cognitive loss and problem behaviors.
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Many people believe that Alzheimer's disease can't be treated. The truth is that medications are available that may help slow the progression of symptoms.
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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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Medications under study may be able to treat Alzheimer's disease, by targeting the abnormalities that develop in the brain long before the disease manifests.
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Is it possible for paranoid schizophrenia to appear late in life? A 70-year-old male diagnosed with Alzheimer?s disease at age 64 is now experiencing severe psychotic symptoms, which are now being considered more psychiatric than physical. Is it common for Alzheimer?s disease to cause a person to exhibit such severe psychosis or is it more likely that his problem is of a psychiatric nature and the Alzheimer?s disease is a misdiagnosis?
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My father was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. I have heard of a "gene test" that people can take to see if they will contract this disease. Is this available? What do you suggest that I do? This disease also "runs" on my mother's side of the family.
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An experimental blood test found that a pattern of proteins was present in people with Alzheimer's disease and in those with mild cognitive impairment, considered a precursor condition to Alzheimer's.
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If someone you love has Alzheimer's disease, learning all you can about the disease can help you find the best treatments and care. To find out how much you know already, take this true-false quiz.
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Delirium is sudden severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function that occur with physical or mental illness.Delirium is most often caused by physical or mental illness and is usually temporary and reversible. Many disorders cause delirium, ...
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This patient summary on delirium is adapted from a summary written for health professionals by cancer experts. This and other credible information about cancer treatment, screening, prevention, supportive care, and ongoing clinical trials, is available from the National Cancer Institute. Delirium and similar disorders occur in about 15% to 20% of hospitalized cancer patients and in over 75% of terminally ill cancer patients. This brief summary describes delirium experienced by cancer patients, its causes and treatment.
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Delirium is usually temporary, but older people who experience delirium may suffer permanent damage. It is believed that delirium is linked to dementia, but more research must be done before any conclusions can be made.
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Delirium is a state of mental confusion that develops quickly and usually fluctuates in intensity.Delirium is a syndrome, or group of symptoms, caused by a disturbance in the normal functioning of the brain. The delirious patient has a reduced awa...
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Delirium is a medical condition characterized by a vascillating general disorientation, which is accompanied by cognitive impairment, mood shift, self-awareness, and inability to attend(the inability to focus and maintain attention). The change oc...
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Delirium is a transient, abrupt, usually reversible syndrome characterized by a disturbance that impairs consciousness, cognition(ability to think), and perception.The word delirium is derived from the Latin delirare which literally translates"to ...
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A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue in the brain. Unlike other tumors, brain tumors spread by local extension and rarely metastasize(spread) outside the brain.
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This article focuses on primary brain tumors in adults.Primary brain tumors include any tumor that starts in the brain. Tumors may be confined to a small area, invasive(spread to nearby areas), benign(not cancerous), or malignant(cancerous).Tumors...
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Detailed information on brain tumors, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, types, and treatment
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A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of tissue, either malignant(cancerous) or benign(noncancerous), in the brain. Each year, more than 17,000 brain tumors are diagnosed in the United States.A benign brain tumor is composed of slow-growing noncance...
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There are many types of brain tumors, including primary and secondary brain tumors. Primary brain tumors are named by the type of brain tissue in which they are found. The most common primary brain tumors are gliomas, which begin in the glial, or supportive, tissue of the brain.
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Before your doctor can recommend a treatment plan, he or she needs to know the grade of the cancer. The grade tells these things about the tumor.
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The brain is a complex organ made up of many different cells and parts. Many types of cancer can form in the brain. The type of brain tumor a person has depends on where it began and the cells it is made of. Doctors call cancer that begins in the brain a primary brain tumor.
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If you have symptoms of a brain tumor, your doctor will first ask questions about these symptoms. Next, the doctor will get your complete medical history and give you a physical exam. In addition to checking your overall health, the doctor will do a neurological exam to observe the way you walk, talk, and move.
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Screening tests check for signs of cancer in people who don't have any symptoms. Unfortunately, no screening or blood tests exist that can detect a brain tumor early. The tumor is usually found after symptoms appear. Because brain tumors are rare, screening the majority of the population is neither possible nor justifiable. If you ever experience new symptoms, such as headaches or weakness, see a doctor.
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Adjusting to your diagnosis and treatment can be hard for both you and your loved ones. It will take time. But there are things you can do to make the process easier.
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A brain tumor is a type of cancer. And there are very few things scarier than being told you have cancer. You may feel like you are in shock. You may not even want to believe what the doctor has told you. And there are probably so many questions you want to ask but think you can't because you don't know where to start.
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Elaine learned she had a tumor deep within her brain. After recovering from brain surgery, Elaine started getting lost on short trips to the grocery store--the same store she'd been driving to for years. Then she began having trouble with numbers, such as balancing her checkbook. After returning to work, she had trouble focusing on complex tasks. Often she could not remember conversations with coworkers. These problems continued after Elaine switched to an easier position. She eventually quit working altogether.
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The members of your health care team will work with you during the course of your treatment. They help guide you through your treatment choices, address your questions and concerns, and give you support. Following are some of the people who make up your health care team, and some of the words you may hear:
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The brain controls the body. Each part of the brain has a role. When you have a tumor, the part of the brain surrounding it may be damaged. Then the brain can't do its job properly.
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Brain tumors often cause symptoms. Also, your treatment is likely to produce some side effects. To help you feel better, your doctor may prescribe medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible interaction with other medications.
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Surgery is usually the first step in treating a brain tumor. For this treatment, you see a doctor who specializes in surgery on the brain or nerves, called a neurosurgeon. To remove a brain tumor, a neurosurgeon will cut a hole in your skull. It is like making a small window in the skull. This surgery is called a craniotomy.
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When you are being treated for a brain tumor, it is likely that you will have side effects. Depending on how advanced your cancer is, you may also have symptoms of the disease. For instance, cancer that has spread can cause symptoms such as pressure or pain, or it may interfere with the function of an organ.
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Treating your cancer to get the best results is important. But your quality of life also matters. Let your doctor and nurse know if you are experiencing any side effects or discomfort. Make sure you tell your doctor or nurse how these problems affect your day-to-day life. Your healthcare team is there to help you manage your symptoms as well as to treat your cancer.
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Certain factors can make one person more likely to get a brain tumor than another person. These are called risk factors. Although such risk factors do exist, a person who has one or more risk factors will not always get a brain tumor. In fact, you can have all the risk factors and still not get a brain tumor, or you can have no known risk factors and still get the disease.
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Because no one knows what causes brain tumors, it is hard to say what will prevent them. You can do certain things to reduce your risk of getting a brain tumor. One thing is to avoid exposure to radiation. If radiation is prescribed to treat another kind of cancer, the benefits it brings in treating that cancer usually outweigh these risks.
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Brain tumors can affect your ability to think, remember, reason, and concentrate. Follow these tips to improve your quality of life and reduce frustration.
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Some people use statistical reports to try to figure out their chance of getting cancer or of being cured. Remember that statistics show what happens with large groups of people. Because no two people are alike, statistics can't be used to know or predict what will happen to you.
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Brain tumor symptoms depend on the size and location of the tumor. These symptoms are caused by the damage the tumor does to specific parts of the brain.
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Different types of brain tumor treatments have different goals. Here is a list of treatments and their goals.
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Researchers are finding new treatments for brain tumors. People with brain tumors now have more hope for living longer than ever before.
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Chemotherapy uses anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs are made to attack and kill cells that divide rapidly. Cancer cells divide rapidly, as do some normal cells. Chemotherapy can affect those rapidly dividing normal cells in the body. Normal cells may be affected based on these factors.
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Survival rates show the percentage of people with a certain type and stage of cancer who survive it for a certain period of time after they are diagnosed. A 5-year survival rate is the percentage of people who are alive 5 years after they are diagnosed. These are the people it includes.
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Here are some frequently asked questions about brain tumors. Q: What is the brain, and how does it work?
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Side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type and amount of drugs you take and the length of your treatment. Because chemotherapy drugs kill rapidly dividing cells, the drugs can damage healthy cells that divide quickly, such as blood cells or cells of the intestinal tract, as well. This can result in low white blood cell numbers, which may increase your risk of infection.
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Expert-reviewed information summary about the treatment of various childhood brain tumors.
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Detailed information on brain tumors, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, types, and treatment
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Detailed information on brain tumors, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, types, and treatment
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