What is meningitis? The three types of meningitis are viral meningitis, fungal meningitis, and bacterial meningitis. The meninges are membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis occurs when these membranes become inflamed, potentially causing serious complications for the nervous system. There are three basic kinds of meningitis: viral, bacterial, and fungal. Of these...
Huntington's disease (HD) is a complex disorder that affects a person's ability to feel, think, and move. Symptoms tend to worsen over time and the disease often runs in families. Huntington’s disease (HD) is a hereditary, progressive brain disorder characterized by uncontrolled movements, mental instability, and loss of thinking ability. There is no cure for...
Facts you should know about periodic paralysis syndrome Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story Periodic paralysis syndrome is a group of rare muscle diseases that are inherited (genetic) from a biological parent or from a spontaneous mutation in a person's genetic makeup. There are about seven to eight types of periodic paralysis syndromes, for example,...
What is trigeminal neuralgia surgery? Trigeminal neuralgia surgery is a procedure to decompress the trigeminal nerve that may cause pain and discomfort in the face. Trigeminal neuralgia surgery is a treatment for facial nerve pain (neuralgia) that is caused by irritation in the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve has three main branches on each side...
Introduction to Clinical Trials for Parkinson’s Disease You may have heard about clinical trials from your doctor, read or heard advertisements in the newspaper or on the radio, or found out about trials in your area through a support group or association. Before you decide to participate in a trial, you should be aware of...
Introduction to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Progressive supranuclear palsy, or PSP, is a rare neurodegenerative disease that is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease because it carries similar symptoms. Because of its rarity, PSP is mostly unknown by the general public. What Causes PSP? PSP develops because of the deterioration of brain cells in a few small,...
Introduction to eating right with Parkinson’s disease While there is no special diet required for people with Parkinson’s disease, eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet is extremely beneficial. With the proper diet, our bodies work more efficiently, we have more energy, and Parkinson’s disease medications will work properly. This article addresses the basics of good nutrition....
What is a stroke? Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story FAST is an acronym to help you quickly recognize the warning signs and symptoms of stroke. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to an area of the brain is cut off. The symptoms depend upon the region of the brain that is affected by...
What are the symptoms of sensory processing disorder? Sensory processing disorder (SPD) or sensory integration disorder is a collection of challenges that occur when sensations fail to respond properly to the outside world. The cause of sensory processing disorder is unknown, but genetics, congenital conditions and environmental factors may be to blame. People with sensory...
What is and what causes Parry-Romberg syndrome? Parry-Romberg syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by slowly progressive deterioration (atrophy) of the skin and soft tissues of half of the face (hemifacial atrophy), usually the left side. It is more common in females than in males. What are the signs and symptoms of Parry-Romberg syndrome? Readers...