Neurology

                    Neurology diseases are defined as neural problems characterized by different types of pain,                                            movement disorder, stroke, seizures/epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and peripheral, Parkinson's...

                    1. A headache is defined as pain in the head from any cause. The main types of headaches are:                                           Tension headache; Episodic tension headache;  Chronic tension headache;  Vascular headache;                                          Cluster headache;  Migraine headache....          

                    A cluster headache is a rare type of headache that is more common in men than women. Cluster                                     headaches start suddenly. The pain is usually behind or around one eye and is very severe. The                                                 eye and nose on the same side as the pain may become red, swollen and runny. Cluster headaches                                           also cause restlessness. These headaches can be frightening to the sufferer and his or her family.        

                    Symptoms associated with cluster headache include:    Intense pain that is localized around one                                                 eye or sometimes near the temple. Pain is deep and explosive, usually builds to maximum intensity                                         within five minutes, and can spread to nearby areas of the cheek or jaw. A bloodshot or tearing                                                eye on the affected side; Smaller pupil or droopy eyelid in the affected eye; Runny nose or blocked                                        nostril on the affected side; Facial flushing; Nausea.

                    Many cluster sufferers feel better when they remain active during their headaches. This is in contrast                                            to those experiencing migraine headaches, who tend to seek out a quiet, dark room.        

                    2. Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is characterized by the death the motor centers of the brain and                                              of the spinal cord. These are a group of diseases that effect the "motor neurons", which are the                                             nerves that are responsible for instructing muscles to work. Examples of motor neuron diseases                       include: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease); Progressive                                      muscular atrophy; Progressive bulbar palsy; Primary lateral sclerosis. In all of these conditions,                                           patients typically experience weakness, as well as other symptoms, which depend upon the specific                                         type of motor neuron disease.    

                    3. Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder. Tremors,                                        rigidity, slow movement (called bradykinesia), poor balance, and difficulty walking (called                                            parkinsonian gait) are characteristic primary symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

                    Idiopathic Parkinson's disease is the most common form of parkinsonism, a group of movement                                       disorders that have similar features and symptoms. Parkinson's disease is called idiopathic                                             Parkinson's because the cause is unknown. In the other forms of parkinsonism, a cause is known                                                or suspected.

                    4.  The sudden onset of a focal neurological deficit resulting from either infarction or hemorrhage                                            within the brain. There are two types of stroke:        

                    a. Ischemic stroke:    

                    Cerebral thrombosis: occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms and blocks blood flow in an artery                                    leading to the brain -- arteries primarily affected by atherosclerosis are more susceptible to blood clots.

                    Cerebral embolism: occurs when a wandering clot (embolus) or some other particle forms in a blood                                     vessel away from the brain -- usually in the heart. The clot then travels and lodges in an artery leading                                          to the brain or in the brain.

                    Transient ischemic attack (TIA): a "mini-stroke". In a TIA, there is a short-term reduction in blood                                           flow to the brain. This causes temporary stroke symptoms (often just for a few minutes) such as                                       weakness or tingling in an arm or leg. TIAs don't cause brain damage, but they are important warning                                      signs that a person is at risk of having a stroke.   

                    b. Hemorrhagic stroke:        

                    Cerebral hemorrhage: occur when a defective artery in the brain bursts.

                    Subarachnoid hemorrhage: occur when a blood vessel on the surface of the brain ruptures and bleeds                                           into the space between the brain and the skull.        

                    Either type of stroke can cause brain cells to die. This brain damage may cause a person to lose                                          control of certain functions, such as speech, movement, and memory. Like a heart attack, a stroke is                                          an emergency and should be treated as quickly as possible.    

                    When a blood clot blocks one of the brain's small arteries lacunar strokes occurs.   

                    SYNONYMS:  Brain attack; Cerebrovascular accident (CVA); Reversible ischemic neurological                                     accident (RIND); Blood clot; Cerebral thrombosis; Cerebral embolism; Transient ischemic attack                                         (TIA); Mini-stroke; Cerebral hemorrhage; Subarachnoid hemorrhage.     

                    Carotid circulation (hemispheric): Hemiplegia, hemianesthesia, neglect, aphasia, visual field defects;                                           less often headache, seizures, amnesia, confusion

                    Vertebrobasilar (brainstem or cerebellar): Diplopia, vertigo, ataxia, facial paresis, Horner's                                       syndrome, dysphagia, dysarthria

                    Impaired level of consciousness

                    Cerebellar lesion in patients with headache, nausea, vomiting and ataxia        

                    c.  A lacunar stroke is a blockage of blood flow to a part of the brain supplied by one or more small                                  arteries. These arteries are 0.1 to 0.3 millimeters in diameter. They branch from larger arteries near                                     the underside of the brain, and carry blood to the brain's deeper regions, such as the thalamus, basal                                     ganglia and pons. In a lacunar stroke, a blood clot (thrombus) blocks blood flow. The blood clot                                              can form inside the small artery because the artery has been damaged. Alternatively, it can form in a                                        large artery in the neck or chest, break loose and travel (as an "embolus") in the bloodstream to lodge                                          in these small brain arteries. Clots typically form because an artery has become damaged by                                    atherosclerosis, a condition in which fatty deposits (plaques) build up along the walls of blood vessels.    

                    The small arteries that may cause a lacunar stroke are uniquely vulnerable. Unlike most arteries that                                  gradually taper to a smaller size, the arteries of a lacunar stroke branch directly off of a large, high                                     pressure, heavily muscled main artery. High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major contributor to                                     lacunar strokes because of the pounding pulse it causes. High blood pressure can cause direct damage                                        to these arteries. It also can dislodge small clumps or clots that can block blood flow   

                    When a blood clot blocks one of the brain's small arteries, brain cells in a relatively small local area                                             (3 millimeters to 2 centimeters) either are damaged or killed by lack of oxygen. These small areas of                                       brain destruction are called lacunes. Lacunar strokes account for about 20 percent of all strokes in the                                 United States.   

                    SYNONYMS:  Lacunar infarcts    

                    SYMPTOMS:  The symptoms of lacunar stroke vary depending on the part of the brain that is                                         deprived of its blood supply. Different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions, such                                            as sensation, movement, sight, speech, balance and coordination. Symptoms can include:

                    Weakness or paralysis of the face, arm, leg, foot or toes

                    Sudden numbness

                    Difficulty walking

                    Difficulty speaking

                    Clumsiness of a hand or arm

                    Weakness or paralysis of eye muscles

                    Other neurological symptoms     

                    In a person with prolonged, untreated high blood pressure, many lacunes can form in the brain,                                           causing additional symptoms, including emotional behavior and dementia.        

                    The sudden appearance of one or more of these symptoms is a warning sign that a stroke may be in                                 progress. Sometimes, the small clots that can cause a lacunar stroke interfere with blood flow only                                             for a few minutes. If the clot dissolves on its own before damage is done, then symptoms can begin                                             to improve within minutes and may go away completely. When symptoms go away without treatment                                         and full recovery occurs within 24 hours, the event is called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Never                                     decide to "wait and see" if you are having stroke symptoms. Get to an emergency room as quickly as                                 possible to get treatment.             

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