Category: Uncategorized

There are many symptoms of a concussion, which can happen after either hitting the head or having a “whiplash” injury where the head moves quickly backward and forward. They include headache, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, difficulty with balance, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, memory problems, fatigue and other neurological symptoms. If you are having any of these symptoms after an injury you should call your doctor.

Fibromyalgia is a condition of unknown cause marked by widespread pain, fatigue and cognitive problems. While it is considered a disease that primarily affects adults, it can be diagnosed in children. Some estimates suggest it affects up to 6% of persons under age 18; in this age group, the average age at diagnosis is around 15 years old. As with adults, fibromyalgia appears to be more common among females than males in younger populations.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that typically causes inflammation in multiple joints as well as systemic (bodywide) inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis may affect many other parts of the body besides the joints.

Examples include:

• skin – nodules or ulcers

• lung – scarring or nodule formation within the lung or inflammation of the lung’s lining (pleuritis) leading to fluid around the lung (pleural effusion)

• heart – inflammation of the heart lining (pericarditis)

• eyes – dryness, conjunctivitis, scleritis (inflammation within the white part of the eye)

• nerves – carpal tunnel syndrome may develop if swelling and inflammation affect the wrist joints; spinal cord injury in the neck is possible if rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints of the upper spine

• bones (reduced bone mass, called osteopenia or, if more severe, osteoporosis)

• bone marrow – anemia or low white blood cell count

Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes repeated episodes of sudden, brief changes in the brain’s electrical activity. Epileptic episodes are called seizures or convulsions. Primary generalized seizures include tonic-clonic seizures and absence seizures. Other types of seizure include simple partial seizures where the person is actually still awake and aware and complex partial seizures during which the person may be somewhat aware but not responding as expected.

Encephalitis refers to inflammation of the brain. The most common cause is a viral infection, such as herpes simplex virus and West Nile virus. Encephalitis can also occur in people with inflammatory disorders from an autoimmune disease like lupus. Bacterial and fungal infections can also lead to encephalitis. While the germs that cause encephalitis can be passed from one person to the next, encephalitis itself is not contagious.

Hemochromatosis can lead to excessive iron deposition in the liver and other body organs. If the hemochromatosis is not treated, the liver may develop permanent scarring known as cirrhosis. People with liver cirrhosis from any cause are prone to a buildup of toxins in the brain that are usually cleared by a normal liver. These excessive toxins in the brain can cause encephalopathy, resulting in confusion, decreased mental alertness and sometimes progress to a coma.

Endometriosis can be treated in a variety of ways. Mild symptoms can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Another option is oral contraceptives or birth control pills which can help regulate a woman’s hormones during her menstrual cycle. In more severe cases, surgery may be offered to remove areas of endometrial tissue which can help reduce pain and improve a woman’s chances of conceiving.

Stages of decline in cognitive function can be divided into three main categories:

• Subjective cognitive decline is when individuals are concerned about their thinking and memory, but both cognition and function are normal.

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is when there is cognitive impairment, but function is normal.

• Dementia is when cognitive impairment leads to impaired function.

Peritonitis refers to inflammation of the membrane (peritoneum) that lines the inside of the abdomen and surrounds the abdominal organs. Peritonitis can be caused by a bacterial infection when there is a leak or hole (perforation) in the stomach or intestines. Sometimes the bacterial infection happens without an identified leak or hole. Rarely, there can be inflammation of the peritoneum without an actual infection.

Dyslexia and other learning disabilities are usually detected as children are taught to read and write, usually around age 4 to 7. In mild cases, they may not be detected until later.