Neurology Diagnostics

Posts Tagged ‘Neurological diseases’

A doctor specializing in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the nervous system, which affects the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles.

Diseases is a neurologist
The most common neurological diseases are migraine and other headaches, memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, sleep disorders, Parkinson’s disease and tremor, gait disorders, epilepsy and unconscious, the pains and neuralgia, muscle weakness and neurological impact of general diseases, stress and depression.

Diagnostic tools which employs
The most important diagnostic tool is the history, during which the patient exhibits symptoms, allowing deduction of injured nervous system. The fundus examination of the cranial nerves, gait and station, reflections, sensitivities and cerebellum to confirm the injury. Finally, if necessary, use additional powerful diagnostic tools to confirm the clinical impression, such as brain MRI, Angio-Reosnancia the brain, and EEG mapping studies, electromyographic studies and conduction velocity, genetic studies , etc.

Treatments that are used
Neurological treatments are usually pharmacological, ie with drugs. On special occasions it is necessary to resort to physical therapy and other physical therapy or psychotherapy that is administered by psychologists and physiotherapists. Generally, medications are prescribed for three to six months and after this time is often convenient to make a review to monitor the effects of treatments. Read the rest of this entry »

Neurological diseases are disorders of the brain, spinal cord and nerves throughout the body. Taken together, these organs control all body functions. When something goes wrong somewhere in the nervous system, you may have difficulty moving, speaking, swallowing, breathing or learning. There may also be problems with memory, senses or mood.

There are more than 600 neurological disorders. The most recognized include:

* Diseases caused by defective genes, such as Huntington’s disease and muscular dystrophy

* Problems with nervous system development, such as spina bifida

* Degenerative disease in which nerve cells are damaged or die, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease

* Diseases of the blood vessels supplying the brain, such as stroke

* Injuries to the spinal cord and brain

* Seizure disorders such as epilepsy

* Cancer, such as brain tumors

* Infections such as meningitis

Meralgia paresthetica (MP) or femoral nerve sensory neuropathy (NFC) is a relatively common disease, especially in pregnant women or men who have gained weight.

The MP is manifested by burning or tingling sensation unpleasant side or the outer thigh, never below the knee. This discomfort can be permanent and may worsen at night or when you are calmer, and although not disabling, can become very annoying.

The NFC is born of the union of several roots arising from the lumbar spine (L2L3) and running through the abdomen and pelvis from the most dorsal up to the groin, where does the NFC and its branches is given to the sensitivities of the lateral or outer thigh.

The NFC may be compressed by the uterus during pregnancy, especially in more advanced stages of pregnancy. Sometimes, in people who have risen sharply in weight, the NFC is compressed in its output in the groin, l which can also cause the symptoms of MP. Read the rest of this entry »

Statins (Lipitor, Pravachol, Zocor, Crestor, etc.) Should be initiated early after a first stroke (AC) or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

These drugs not only decrease the risk of a new cerebrovascular event, but also reduce the risk of coronary events, even in patients without history of cardiovascular disease.

This follows from the SPARCL study (Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels) presented at the 15th European Stroke Conference in mid last year.

Statins have been used traditionally to normalize cholesterol levels in patients with dyslipidemia.

However, the evidence of this scientific work shows that the statin (Lipitor) has benefits beyond just reducing LDL “bad” or LDL, but even in patients with normal total cholesterol, this drug prevents the possibility of a new stroke or coronary event. Read the rest of this entry »

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia that is associated with stroke (AC) by emboli from the heart.

This arrhythmia causes turbulence in the atrium or left atrium, which helps the formation of thrombi or clots that travel through the aorta to the brain, causing blockage of a cerebral artery and finally AC.

To prevent AC in patients with AF, can handle a blood thinner such as warfarin or acenocoumarol, or simply aspirin.

In under 75 years it is clear that thinner is better than aspirin in preventing AC in patients with AF. But over 75 years, the benefit is lower, increasing the risk of bleeding from anticoagulant, sometimes fatal.

The study BAFTA (Birmingham Atrial Fibrillation Treatment of the Aged) compared Warfarin versus aspirin in patients over 75 years with AF and showed that warfarin is superior to aspirin in the Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation, as long as they keep a good control of anticoagulation, which should be indicated by blood tests regularly calls the prescribing physician.

The results were published in the journal Lancet on August 11, 2007 and had previously been released in Glasgow, at the 16th European Stroke Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where I was fortunate to attend.

The PFP is more than two thirds of cases of viral origin, and therefore has been suggested that the early use of prednisone (steroid) and acyclovir (antiviral) would have some utility in the treatment of early-stage, marked by facial nerve inflammation.

On October 18, 2007 was published in the New England Journal of Medicine a double-blind study compared the effects of prednisone and acyclovir in Bell’s palsy or facial nerve palsy (PFP).

The study was conducted in Scotland led by Dr. Frank M. Sullivan, of the Scottish School of Primary Care at the University of Dundee, Scotland.

A 94.4% of patients receiving prednisone within 72 hours of the start of the PFP, had an excellent performance in following up to 9 months. 85.4% of those who received acyclovir had an excellent performance. Read the rest of this entry »

A study by Dr. Martha Clare Morris of Rush University Medical Center, Chicago and published in the journal Neurology, showed that frequent consumption of vegetables reduces the risk of cognitive decline by up to 40%.

The study included 3718 patients over 65 years between 1993 and 2002 and the beneficial effects of vegetables, especially green vegetables, would be given by the high concentration of vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, provided by them.

On the other hand, did not show the same beneficial effect of fruit consumption. It follows that neither vitamin C nor beta-carotene allow a protective effect on cognition.

This study raises again the need for a healthy diet in everybody, not only because it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease among others, but it reduces the risk of cognitive impairment that usually develops with age.

Intensify fight against diabetes, to reduce risk of dementia

The fight against depression and diabetes may help prevent or delay dementia praecox, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal, which estimates that risk factors such as obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol levels are the dark environment conducive for these patients. Read the rest of this entry »

A major effort has made several research groups to synthesize a vaccine available to prevent Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

In simple terms, the idea is to create in a laboratory, a protein that is very similar to proteins that normally are deposited in the brain of the sick patient and eventually cause the symptoms of dementia.

By exposing a healthy individual and any risk factors, such as a history of having close relatives with the EA, it creates antibodies created in the lab and also with proteins that are characteristic of AD.

This would prevent therefore, protein synthesis and deposition years later that will cause the first symptoms of dementia.

Already there have been many scientific studies and is expected to close in the future hopefully be approved this vaccine, which will undoubtedly be a great addition to the treatment of AD.

Galantamine: Another Alternative for the Treatment of Alzheimer

Soon more will be available in the Chilean market the drug Galantamine (Razadyne ER in the U.S.) and is part of the therapeutic alternatives for Alzheimer’s disease with early or intermediate. Read the rest of this entry »

Arthritis drug yields impressive results in the treatment of Alzheimer’s

Impressive are the findings derived from a study on Alzheimer’s by a team of U.S. scientists from the Universities of California at Los Angeles and Southern California: the application of a drug for arthritis managed to turn “in ten minutes” some signs of disease in a patient of 81 years.

The trade publication Journal of neuroinflammation (Journal of Neuroinflammation) reports that physicians applied to the spine of the patient an injection of Etanercept, a drug used to relieve pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

The professionals said the patient, who was just beginning to exhibit the symptoms of the disease, could remember the name of your doctor along with the date and place where he was, but ten minutes before had been unable to do so.

However, Dr. Anthony Alvarez, the Biomedical Research Centre in Spain, called for caution with the subject.

“We must be cautious whenever we speak of the experience of a single patient,” he told the BBC the professional currently working on a vaccine against Alzheimer’s disease.

Notes also that it is necessary to show that the drug is safe and runs on a significant number of patients.

Although neurologists for the miokimia or eyelid twitching or MP (episodic involuntary contraction of the lower eyelid) does usually more serious, is a frequent cause of consultation.

Patients usually suffer from panic to see in the mirror and keeps your eyelid contract without being able to control is sometimes close to a patient that you mentioned this annoying condition.

The patient will automatically think the worst diagnosis: brain tumors, epilepsy, the onset of facial paralysis, etc., But fortunately is very wrong.

For peace of patients by far the most common cause of PD is anxiety or stress. Most patients are tired, has not slept well for several days or had problems at work or home.

Then the treatment is first of all try to relax, try to disconnect (it is that you can) the problems, sports, etc. If the MP is very upset or ashamed to have her patient, anxiety may be indicated to lower your anxiety level. Read the rest of this entry »