Archive for the ‘Caregiving’ Category
Witnessing a seizure can be scary and it is important that you know what to do in case of the event. First, a seizure is normally caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain or by fainting (decrease in blood flow to the brain). The symptoms vary depending on the part of the brain involved, but often include unusual sensations, uncontrollable muscle spasms and Read more…
Popularity: 18% [?]
Jaundice
The liver is an extraordinary organ in the human body. It is vital to our survival and performs several functions. The liver is located in the upper right hand side of the abdomen and it processes the body’s nutrients. In addition, this powerhouse organ manufactures bile to help digest fats, synthesizing many important proteins. Further, the liver breaks down potentially toxic substances into ones that the body can use or excrete. Finally, it is responsible Read more…
Popularity: 4% [?]
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body. Its diameter is about the size of a human finger. Sciatica actually refers to pain resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve. Typically the pain is felt from the low back to behind the thigh and radiating down below the knee. Further, sciatica usually affects one side Read more…
Popularity: 4% [?]
A couple of months ago I wrote about hospital-acquired infections – who is susceptible, what causes them, how they are spread, the most common types and steps to prevent the infections. Today, HAI (Hospital-Acquired Infection or Healthcare-Associated Infection) continues to soar in hospitals all over the world! This is a global crisis affecting patients, their visitors and healthcare personnel. I had an email from Barbara Dunn the other day and she has been instrumental in setting up a wonderful website, through Kimberly-Clark Healthcare, entitled “Not on My Watch” at http://www.haiwatch.com/ This site is joining in an effort to educate patients, healthcare professionals and the general public on the dangers of these preventable infections and to protect people from getting sick in Read more…
Popularity: 5% [?]
Tourette syndrome (TS), or Tourette disorder, is more common
Origins of Tourette Syndrome
than doctors once thought. It affects at least 1 in 1,000 to 2,000 people and maybe more. It is believed that about 100,000 Americans have the disorder. Many more may have other tic disorders that are less severe. Tourette syndrome is more common in Read more…
Popularity: 5% [?]
Knee injuries often occur among active teens, especially athletes, and a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) – a ligament that helps give the knee its stability – is a common knee injury. Teens who play contact sports (like football and basketball) or so-called “cutting” sports (like soccer and baseball that feature swift, abrupt Read more…
Popularity: 7% [?]
Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is a serious disorder that occurs when
the body’s defense (immune) system mistakenly attacks part of the nervous system. This leads to nerve inflammation that causes muscle weakness. It is the most frequent acquired (as opposed to inherited) neuropathy. Nobody knows why or how GBS infects certain individuals and not others. Its cause is unknown, but it is triggered by a viral or bacterial infection in most patients that somehow causes an autoimmune reaction, i.e. your own Read more…
Popularity: 7% [?]
Raynaud’s syndrome (RS), also called Raynaud’s phenomenon, is a disorder of small blood vessels that respond excessively to stimuli which causes poor blood flow, usually in the fingers. It can also occur in the toes, ears and nose. When this condition occurs by itself, it is called Raynaud’s syndrome or Raynaud’s disease, or primary Raynaud’s phenomenon. When it occurs along with other diseases, such as Read more…
Popularity: 7% [?]
I have a friend, and reader of my site, that contacted me on Facebook
to tell me about a skin disorder that he has and also one that his mother had when she was living. I love when people give me suggestions to write about something, particularly when I have never heard of the disorder! In fact, I wish I had more comments, suggestions and subscribers to my site so that they could receive updates and daily posts that I share via email. The site is meant to be helpful to friends, colleagues, students, moms, patients AND the general public, so please let me know things that you Read more…
Popularity: 6% [?]
Bell’s palsy is a weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. It occurs when the seventh facial nerve is damaged, resulting in a droopy appearance to one side of the face. The majority of cases of Bell’s palsy are temporary, and the symptoms may resolve as early as 2 weeks. Some 40,000 Americans are affected by it each year; 80% recover within 3 months. The condition is most often connected with a viral infection such as herpes (the virus that causes cold sores), Epstein-Barr (the virus that causes mono) or influenza. It’s also associated with the infectious agent that causes Lyme disease. Of course, this doesn’t mean that everyone who has a viral infection or Lyme disease will Read more…
Popularity: 33% [?]
