Chiari malformation is a condition in which the lower part of the brain pushes down into the spinal canal. It is a relatively rare disorder of the brain and spinal canal that can sometimes cause serious complications. Chiari malformation is a condition in which the lower part of the brain pushes down into the spinal...
What is Ramsay Hunt syndrome? What causes it? Ramsay Hunt syndrome (also termed Hunt's Syndrome and herpes zoster oticus) is a herpes zoster virus infection of the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve. It is caused by reactivation of herpes zoster virus that has previously caused chickenpox in the patient. Ramsay Hunt syndrome results in...
What is IQ? An IQ score of 120 is a good score since it means superior or above-average intelligence. IQ or intelligence quotient is a number that expresses the relative intelligence of a person. It is one of several tests to know how intelligent a person is. An IQ score of 120 is a good...
Inclusion body myositis (IBM) facts* Share Your Story *Inclusion body myositis (IBM) facts medical author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR Inclusion body myositis is a muscle disease that gradually worsens. Inclusion body myositis affects adults typically with onset after 50 years of age. Symptoms of inclusion body myositis include progressive weakness and atrophy...
Dizziness facts Picture of the symptoms of a balance disorder Dizziness is a symptom that often applies to a variety of sensations including lightheadedness and vertigo. Vertigo is the sensation of spinning, while lightheadedness is typically described as near fainting, and weakness. Some of the conditions that may cause lightheadedness in a patient include low...
Extratemporal Cortical Resection Introduction The largest part of the brain, the cerebrum, is divided into four paired sections, called lobes — the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes. Each lobe controls a specific group of activities. With temporal lobe epilepsy, which is the most common type of epilepsy in teens and adults, the area where...
What is a brain aneurysm? An aneurysm is a weak area in the wall of an artery which leads to a balloon or pouch formation. The wall of the pouch is thinner than the rest of the artery wall and is at risk of breaking. This type of aneurysm is known as a berry aneurysm,...
Mitochondrial myopathies facts* *Mitochondiral myopathies facts medical author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD Mitochondrial disease includes a group of neuromuscular diseases caused by damage to intracellular structures that produce energy, the mitochondria; disease symptoms usually involve muscle contractions that are weak or spontaneous. There is no specific treatment for mitochondrial diseases (myopathies). The prognosis varies...
First aid for seizures facts Readers Comments 4 Share Your Story Generalized seizure symptoms include unconsciousness, muscle contractions, and convulsions (which may appear as very dramatic jerking movements), tongue or lip biting, incontinence, and clouded awareness. Epilepsy is a medical condition that produces chronic seizures. Causes of epilepsy include brain diseases, illness, genetic disorders, or...
What is anoxia vs. hypoxia? Anoxia and hypoxia are both severe, life-threatening conditions in which a person is experiencing oxygen deprivation. The terms anoxia and hypoxia are often used interchangeably, but there are differences between the two terms. Though they both describe conditions in which organs tissues, including the brain, are receiving insufficient oxygen, knowing...