What Is a Lesionectomy? A lesionectomy is an operation to remove a lesion — a damaged or abnormally functioning area — in the brain. Brain lesions include tumors, scars from a head injury or infection, abnormal blood vessels, and hematomas (a swollen area filled with blood). A lesion causes seizures — also called the seizure...
Multiple sclerosis (MS) and pregnancy definitions and facts Share Your Story Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition that results in a disruption of information signals between the body and the brain that can cause neurological symptoms. MS is more prevalent in women of childbearing age than in any other group. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis...
What should I know about myasthenia gravis?* *This myasthenia gravis section written by Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD What is the medical definition of myasthenia gravis? Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. The thymus may give incorrect instructions to...
What is epilepsy surgery? Epilepsy surgery is a neurosurgical procedure to prevent or reduce the occurrence of epileptic seizures. Epilepsy surgery involves removal or surgical alteration of the part of the brain from which epileptic seizures originate. Epileptic seizures are caused by sudden abnormal bursts of electrical activity in some brain cells, which may then...
How long does it take to get lead poisoning? Lead poisoning usually happens due to prolonged exposure at home, work or daycare. Lead poisoning usually takes months or years of exposure to a small amount of lead at home, work or daycare. When exposed to large amounts of lead, it can quickly lead to lead...
What is a hematoma? A hematoma is not a bruise. Depending on the cause, it can take anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks for a hematoma to go away. A hematoma is not a bruise. It is a pooling of blood outside of the blood vessels deeper in the skin than a bruise occurs. Trauma...
A lumbar puncture (LP) or spinal tap involves inserting a hollow needle near the spinal cord to collect a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and diagnose meningitis, hemorrhage, multiple sclerosis, and tumors. A lumbar puncture (LP) is also called a spinal tap. It involves the insertion of a hollow needle into the space (called...
What is muscular dystrophy? All forms of muscular dystrophy grow worse with age, typically as the person’s muscles get weaker. Muscular dystrophy life expectancy can range depending on the condition. Muscular dystrophy, also known as MD, is made up of more than 30 inherited diseases that damage and weaken the muscles. Over time, this can...
What is an ulnar nerve block? An ulnar nerve block is an injection of anesthesia to numb parts of the hand for surgery. An ulnar nerve block is a procedure to numb the side of the hand with the little finger. An anesthetic solution is injected adjacent to the ulnar nerve in the wrist or...
What is Parkinson’s disease? How you get Parkinson's disease is not known, though scientists believe it's a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that affects a person’s physical and mental abilities. As the disease slowly progresses, people begin to develop difficulties walking and talking. They will also experience behavioral...