What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, especially in people over the age of 60, although it can occur at a younger age. A genetic factor has been associated with development of AD. It is a gradually progressive neurological disease for which there is no cure. The changes that occur in the brain are non-reversible. Problems with memory are usually the earliest symptoms, which are often mistaken as symptoms of normal aging. This may be associated with progressive deterioration in thinking, judgment, language, and decision-making ability, thus making it difficult to conduct day-to-day activities. As the disease progresses, it becomes difficult for the person to remember even basic things. Some patients may even have trouble remembering his own name or recognizing family members.

continue reading Alzheimer’s Disease Meaning, Types, Symptoms of Stages, Drugs

The myelin sheath covering the nerves fibers of the brain and spinal cord is composed of several layers of a fatty substance known as lipoprotein. In addition to acting as a protective covering for the nerves, the myelin sheath also allows rapid conduction of electrical impulses along the nerve fibers. When the myelin sheath is damaged, there may be a slow down of electrical impulses traveling along the nerves. The condition may be further exacerbated when the nerve fibers are also damaged.

Destruction of the myelin sheath is known as demyelination. Although the myelin sheath may be able to repair and regenerate itself in some cases, severe damage to it may cause the enclosed nerve to die. Since regeneration of nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord is rarely possible, the nerve damage is usually permanent. Some disorders may affect the nerves of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) while others may affect the nerves in other parts of the body.

continue reading Multiple Sclerosis (MS) – Demyelinating Nerve Disease

What is Spinal Stenosis?

Stenosis means narrowing of a hollow tube. Spinal stenosis is a condition where there is narrowing of the spinal canal causing compression of the spinal cord lying within it and/or narrowing of the spaces through which the spinal nerves leave the spinal column. Spinal stenosis usually occurs as part of the normal aging process. Compression of the nerves and blood vessels caused by stenosis leads to the typical features of pain. Depending on the nerves affected, there may be symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or pain in the neck, back, arms, or legs. However, not all patients with spinal stenosis develop symptoms.

Spinal stenosis is most common in the cervical (neck) and lumbar (back) regions. Almost 75% of cases of spinal stenosis occur in the lumbar region. Treatment may be conservative, such as rest, medication, physical therapy, and braces. Surgical decompression may be considered when other treatments fail to alleviate symptoms and mobility or quality of life is significantly impaired or in case of progressive muscle weakness with risk of permanent nerve damage.

continue reading Spinal Stenosis and Surgery for Narrow Spine Canal

What is a spinal cord injury?

A spinal cord injury is a medical emergency which requires immediate treatment. It may occur due to direct trauma to the spinal cord itself or indirectly as a result of damage of the bones and soft tissues surrounding it. In any serious accident, a spinal cord injury should be assumed to be present, especially when the patient is unconscious. It is possible that the injury may be present despite of the spinal cord being intact. If a spinal cord injury is suspected at the accident site, the patient should be moved with extreme caution. The patient may be “log-rolled” to a semi-prone recovery position in order to provide basic life support.

continue reading Spinal Cord Injuries Causes and Symptoms at Different Levels

Pain is a sensation of discomfort that can vary from being mild to moderate or severe. Apart from the suffering of the patient, pain is a warning signal that some part of the body is undergoing damage and appropriate action, where possible, needs to be taken. Therefore pain is a protective mechanism. Pain itself is a complex process but can be divided into nociceptive and non-nociceptive pain. Nociceptive pain is due to stimulation of nocicpetors (pain receptors) which are actually free nerve endings of a special type of nerve known as nociceptive neurons. These pain receptors can be stimulated by mechanical, thermal and chemical damage. Non-nociceptive pain does not arise specifically from these pain receptors and may be associated with some other injury, abnormality or dysfunction of  nerves.

continue reading Visceral Pain (Organ Pain) vs Parietal Pain, Somatic Pain, Causes