Medical App & Medical Advice with Hello Doctor

How do you treat Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord. It’s a lifelong condition that can cause problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance. Eventually, some nerves are destroyed while others are left damaged.

Symptoms and their severity depend on the amount of nerve damage that has occurred and which nerves have been affected.

Common symptoms include:

  • Struggling with coordination and balance, causing difficultly in walking.
  • When nerves are damaged, communication from the brain slows. This can cause slurred speech.
  • Vision problems and eye pain.

Treatment will depend on the specific symptoms and difficulties you have, which include:

  • Short courses of steroid medicine
  • Specific treatments for individual MS symptoms.
  • Treatment to reduce the number of relapses using medicines called disease-modifying therapies.

Disease-modifying drugs

Disease-modifying medications can reduce the frequency and severity of MS episodes, or relapses.

They also control the extent of damage to nerve fibres and reduce disease symptoms.

The main benefits are

  • Fewer relapses
  • Less severe relapses
  • Reduced build-up of disability which develops when you can’t recover completely from relapses.

There are currently several drugs to treat MS. These come in the form of injectables, infusions, and oral treatments.

Treatment for relapses

Ending a relapse as quickly as possible benefits both body and mind. Relapse treatment includes:

Corticosteroids: Often used to ease inflammation and reduce the severity of MS attacks.

Corticosteroids used to treat MS include methylprednisolone (intravenous) and prednisone (oral).

Inflammation is a key feature of MS relapses, which leads to other symptoms of MS, like fatigue, weakness and pain.

If corticosteroids don’t provide relief for relapses, or if intravenous treatments can’t be used, there are other treatments, which include :

ACTH (H.P. Acthar Gel): ACTH is an injection into your muscle or under your skin. It works by prompting the adrenal cortex glands (located on top of each kidney) to secrete the hormones cortisol, corticosterone, and aldosterone. These hormones reduce the level of inflammation in your body.

Plasmapheresis: Is a process that involves removing whole blood from your body and filtering it to remove antibodies that may be attacking your nervous system. The “cleansed” blood is then given back to you as a transfusion.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG): This treatment is an injection that helps to boost your immune system.

Many therapies aiming to treat progressive MS are currently being researched.

Controlling the symptoms

Your doctor may recommend treatments for and/or medication for muscle stiffness and spasms, depression and bladder problems. You will also be taught exercises that will help you stay active.

Make lifestyle changes

  • Keep a regular sleep schedule and make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and screen-free.
  • Staying active builds bones and strengthens muscles. It keeps depression at bay and helps you sleep better.
  • Reduce your stress. Stress worsens your symptoms. Find something you enjoy that helps control the ups and downs, whether it’s through meditation, reading, journaling, or catching up with friends and family.
  • Stay cool in a well ventilated room. Wear loose, breathable clothes outside. A rise in body temperature can make your symptoms worse.

References

Early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Age is the largest risk factor for the development of the condition as most people who develop it are older than 60 years.

Symptoms start gradually, sometimes with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness or slowing of movement.

In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, your face may show little or no expression, your arms may not swing when you walk, or your speech may become soft or slurred. Symptoms worsen as your condition progresses.

Risk factors

  • Family history of the disorder
  • Head trauma
  • Illness
  • Exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides and herbicides.

Cause

A substance called dopamine acts as a messenger between two brain areas: the substantia nigra and the corpus striatum. In a healthy brain, this communication produces smooth, controlled movements.

Most of the movement-related symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are caused by a lack of dopamine, caused by damage or loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra.

When the amount of dopamine is too low, communication between the substantia nigra and corpus striatum becomes ineffective, and movement becomes impaired. The greater the loss of dopamine, the worse the movement-related symptoms.

Other cells in the brain also degenerate to some degree as the disease progresses and may also contribute to non-movement related symptoms.

While it’s understood that the lack of dopamine causes the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, it’s not clear why the dopamine-producing brain cells deteriorate.

Genetic and pathological studies have revealed that various dysfunctional cellular processes, inflammation, and stress can all contribute to cell damage.

Symptoms generally develop slowly over years and progression of symptoms varies from one person to another.

Primary symptoms include:

  • Tremor, especially in finger, hand or foot
  • Stiffness
  • Slowness
  • Impaired balance
  • Cramped handwriting
  • Uncontrollable movements during sleep
  • Limb stiffness or slow movement
  • Voice changes
  • Rigid facial expression or masking
  • Stooped posture

Experiencing any of these early stage symptoms is a sign to see a doctor to slow disease progression.

Secondary symptoms include:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Dementia

There are typical patterns of progression in Parkinson’s disease that are defined in stages.

Stage 1. Symptoms are mild and don’t interfere with the quality of life.

Stage 2. Symptoms worsen, daily activities become more difficult and take longer to complete.

Stage 3. Patients experience a loss of balance, slow movements and falls. Symptoms impair daily activities like dressing, eating, and brushing teeth.

Stage 4. Symptoms become severe and patients need assistance with walking and performing daily activities.

Stage 5. This is the most advanced stage of Parkinson’s disease. The individual is unable to walk and will need full time assistance.

Although Parkinson’s disease can’t be cured, medications can significantly improve symptoms.

Occasionally, your doctor may suggest surgery to regulate certain regions of your brain and improve your symptoms. With treatment, most individuals with Parkinson’s disease can live long, productive lives.

What can you do if you have Parkinson’s disease?

Work with your doctor to create a plan to stay healthy. You doctor may suggest:

  • A referral to a neurologist, a doctor who specialises in the brain.
  • Care from an occupational therapist, physical therapist or speech therapist.
  • Meeting with a medical social worker to talk about how Parkinson’s will affect your life.
  • A regular exercise program to delay further symptoms.
  • You talk with and involve family and friends who can provide you with the support you need.

References:

Could you have undiagnosed Asperger’s syndrome?

Asperger’s syndrome is a developmental disorder where you struggle with communication and behavioural problems. Asperger’s falls on the autism spectrum. People diagnosed with this condition usually have high intelligence and no speech delays. However, they tend to act, speak and play differently from other people. They may also struggle to understand and process language.

Common signs of Asperger’s include:

  • Missing social cues. For example, during a conversation.
  • Craving routine and repetition.
  • Not making eye contact.
  • Not understanding abstract thinking. For example, they may struggle to see the world from another person’s view.
  • Obsessing over one interest.

How is Asperger’s diagnosed?

Some people don’t think it’s necessary to get a formal diagnosis because of the label, but a proper diagnosis is helpful. A diagnosis is important because it helps you (and your loved ones) better understand your condition. So, you’ll be able to manage it more easily. It also allows you to access sources of support.

Children as young as 18 months old can be diagnosed. As Asperger’s syndrome varies from person to person though, this makes diagnosis difficult. Diagnosis often includes the help of a psychiatrist or psychologist, a speech and language therapist and a doctor. Asperger’s is often diagnosed much later than autism as the symptoms are more difficult to recognise before adulthood.

There’s no blood test or medical scan that can test for Asperger’s. For children, doctors assess a child’s behaviour and development against a milestone checklist and compare it to children of the same age. For adults:

  • Your doctor may ask about your social life and interactions. This is to assess your social skills and how significantly they impact you.
  • If you’ve been diagnosed with another condition that’s related to Asperger’s (e.g. depression or hyperactivity), your doctor may refer you to a specialist as you could have been misdiagnosed.
  • Your doctor will rule out possible underlying issues that could explain your symptoms.

How is Asperger’s treated in adults?

There’s no cure for Asperger syndrome, however, there are treatments that can help you cope with the symptoms.

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Therapy is important for those with Asperger’s as it can help you cope with symptoms like anxiety and social isolation. It could also help you hone new social skills and make social interactions less intimidating and frustrating.

Speech therapy

A speech therapist can help you communicate better. You’ll learn how to process language better and how to control your voice when interacting with others. Your therapist, along with your behavioural therapist may also teach you how to move between topics during conversation and how to show interest when someone is talking to you.

Occupational therapy

Most people with Asperger’s can keep full-time jobs successfully. However, some may face difficulties with interactions at work. An occupational therapist can help you find solutions for any work-related issues so that you can successfully do your job.

Medication

No medication can treat Asperger’s syndrome, but there are ones to help cope with related conditions related. For example, issues like anxiety, depression and the inability to focus may crop up if you have Asperger’s. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help you cope with these issues.

References:

What is dystonia?

Dystonia contractions cause your body to twist involuntarily, creating abnormal postures and uncontrollable, repetitive movements.

There are different kinds of dystonia. Dystonia can affect just one muscle, an entire muscle group and in severe cases, the entire body.

Women are more prone to developing this disorder and approximately 1% of the world’s population has dystonia.

What are the causes?

Researchers haven’t found a definitive cause for dystonia, but it’s suspected that it’s related to problems with the basal ganglia. The basal ganglia is the part of the brain responsible for muscle contractions. Researchers believe that if there’s a problem with how the nerves surrounding the basal ganglia are communicating, it could result in a condition like dystonia.

Common symptoms of dystonia range from mild to severe, depending on the stage of the condition.

They could include:

  • A cramping foot.
  • Uncontrollable blinking.
  • Involuntary pulling of the neck.
  • Speech difficulties.
  • A “dragging leg”.

Parts of the body that may be affected include the:

Hands and forearms. Some cases of dystonia happen only when you do repetitive actions. For example, you could experience symptoms while you’re writing or playing an instrument.

Neck. Involuntary contractions could make your head turn and twist to one side, or make it pull forward and backward, causing pain.

Jaw or tongue. If dystonia affects your jaw or tongue, you could experience drooling, speech difficulties and trouble swallowing and chewing.

Eyelids. Involuntary muscle spasm and rapid blinking could cause your eye to shut.

Vocal cords and voice box. Muscle contraction can manifest as a tight or whispering voice.

Depending on the kind of dystonia, there may be complications:

  • Vision difficulties that affect your eyelids.
  • Physical disabilities that affect the performance of your daily activities.
  • Difficulty with moving your jaw, speech and swallowing.
  • Pain and fatigue due to the continuous, painful contraction of muscles.
  • Depression, anxiety and social withdrawal.

Treatment

Treating dystonia focusses on managing the muscle contractions. Your doctor may recommend a combination of treatments, including medications, surgery and therapy.

Medication

A common medication that may be used is onabotunumtoxinA, commonly known as Botox. This medication is injected into specific muscles and aims to eliminate muscle contractions and improve abnormal postures. This injection needs to be repeated every three to six months.

Side-effects are usually temporary and mild. They can include dry mouth, weakness and voice changes. Other medications target your brain chemicals that affect muscle movement.

Therapy

  • Physical therapy or occupational therapy or both to help ease symptoms and improve function.
  • Speech therapy if dystonia affects your voice.
  • Stretching or a massage to soothe muscle pain.

Surgery

For severe symptoms, your doctor may recommend two kinds of surgery:

Deep brain stimulation

During this surgery, electrodes are surgically implanted into specific parts of your brain and connects to a generator that’s placed in your chest. The generator sends electrical pulses to your brain to try and control the muscle contractions.

Selective denervation surgery

This procedure involves cutting the nerves that control muscle spasms. It aims to stop the muscles from contracting involuntarily.

References:

What is cerebral palsy?

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain their balance and posture.

According to the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation, approximately 17 million people around the world have cerebral palsy.

The disorder is typically diagnosed during the first or second year after birth. If a child’s symptoms are mild, it could be difficult to make a diagnosis until the child is a few years older. CP is no longer considered a disease but rather a chronic, non-progressive neurological disorder.

What causes cerebral palsy?

CP is associated with developmental brain injuries that happen during foetal development, birth, or within the first two to three years of life.

The disorder is characterised by a disruption of motor skills and includes symptoms like spasticity, paralysis, mental retardation, seizures, vision and/or hearing problems.

A small percentage of CP stems from brain damage that happens more than 28 days after birth, called acquired cerebral palsy. Factors like a brain infection, such as meningitis, or a serious head injury, increase the risk for acquired CP.

However, most CP cases are related to brain damage that happened before or during birth and are called congenital CP.

Signs and symptoms

  • Birth defects like a small head, stiff jaw, irregular shaped spine, drooling, crying, poor sucking or swallowing reflexes etc.
  • Delayed or abnormal movements of body parts or the whole body.
  • Stiffness or floppiness.
  • Uncoordinated movements or a slight limp.

Diagnosis

If your doctor suspects your child has cerebral palsy, your child will undergo a physical evaluation to check for symptoms. The doctor will also review your child’s medical history. You are likely to be referred to a specialist who treats children with brain and nervous system conditions (paediatric neurologist).

To help rule out other possible causes, the doctor may do a series of tests to confirm a diagnosis. This will be done along with the help of brain scans which reveal any damaged areas or abnormal development in the brain.

These tests may include:

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI is usually the preferred imaging test. It uses radio waves and a magnetic field to produce detailed 3D or cross-sectional images of your child’s brain. An MRI can often identify any cuts or abnormalities in your child’s brain.

Cranial ultrasound. This can be performed during infancy. A cranial ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to get images of the brain. An ultrasound doesn’t produce a detailed image, but it may be used a preliminary assessment of the brain.

CP management

Physical therapy and rehabilitation

Physical therapy is one of the most important parts of treatment. It involves exercises and activities that can maintain or improve muscle strength, balance, and flexibility. A physical therapist helps the child learn skills like sitting, walking, or using a wheelchair. Other types of therapy include occupational, recreational and speech and language therapy.

Treatment

Certain medications can help relax stiff or overactive muscles and reduce abnormal movement. They may be taken by mouth, injected into affected muscles, or infused into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord through a pump implanted near the spinal cord.

Orthotic devices

To improve movement and balance, braces, splints, and casts can be placed on affected limbs. Wheelchairs, rolling walkers, and powered scooters can also help with movement and posture.

Assistive devices and technologies

These include special computer-based communication machines, Velcro-fastened shoes, or crutches, which can all help to make daily life easier.

Surgery

Your child may need surgery if symptoms are severe. A surgeon can place arms or legs in better positions or correct or improve an abnormally curved spine. Sometimes, if other treatments have not worked, a surgeon can cut certain nerves to treat abnormal, spastic movements.

Not all therapies will be suitable for everyone with cerebral palsy. It’s important for parents, patients, and healthcare specialists to come up with the best treatment plan for the patient.

Good to know

In most cases, cerebral palsy can’t be prevented, but you can reduce the risks. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, follow these steps to keep healthy and minimise any complications.

  • Get vaccinated against diseases like rubella to help prevent an infection that could cause foetal brain damage.
  • Take prenatal vitamins, including folic acid and omega 3 fatty acids to aid in brain and spine development
  • Take good care of yourself. The healthier you are going into your pregnancy, the less likely you are to develop an infection that may result in cerebral palsy.
  • Go for regular doctor visits during your pregnancy. This is a good way to reduce health risks and will also help prevent premature birth, low birth weight and infections for you and your unborn baby.
  • Ensure good child safety at all time. Prevent head injuries by providing your child with a car seat, bicycle helmet, safety rails on beds and appropriate supervision.

References:

The link between brainwaves and your health

Your brainwaves are linked to your state of consciousness, and this can influence your mood, energy, sleep and general health. Whether you’re at rest or doing an all-consuming activity, your brain is always active. Brainwaves are produced when electrical pulses from your neurons within your brain communicate with each other.

Brainwaves could also be considered a continuous flow of your consciousness. The flow can be fast or slow, depending on what you’re doing and how you’re feeling. For example, if you’re tired or dreamy, your brainwaves will be slower. And if you’re alert, they’ll be faster.

The five kinds of brainwaves

Your brainwaves are grouped into five different categories. Each one is associated with specific tasks and mental states. The speed of brainwaves are measured in Hertz (cycles per second) and are either slow, moderate or fast.

Here are the different brainwaves in order of their frequency (highest to lowest):

Gamma waves

The brainwaves with the highest frequency at 34 to 42 waves per second are called gamma waves. You’re in a gamma state when you are hyper-focused, learning new information for example.. In this state, you also store memories and become more aware of yourself and your environment. Musicians often experience gamma brainwaves as sharp concentration is necessary for their field of work.

Beta waves

When your brain is active and engaged in mental activities, it’s in a beta state. The beta state means you’re probably alert, focused, trying to solve a problem or making a decision. For example, a teacher would all be in beta when they’re working. Anyone engaged in a conversation would also have beta brainwaves. The frequency of beta brainwaves ranges from 15 to 40 cycles per second.

Alpha waves

When you’re in an alpha state of mind, your brainwaves begin to slow down. For example, if you’ve just completed a task and you sit down to take a break. These brainwaves are also present when you have quiet, slow thoughts and are generally calm; or if you take a walk after a meeting or meditate. The frequency of alpha waves is 9 to 14 cycles per second. These waves are important for alertness, learning and mental coordination.

Theta waves

When you’re asleep, at rest, in deep meditation or if your senses are generally withdrawn from your surroundings, you’re experiencing theta waves. For instance, when you’re driving for a long time, the repetitive nature of the task can put you into a theta state. The same thing happens when you take a shower, comb your hair or read a book. In this state, the frequency of your brainwaves is slow and normally ranges between 5 and 8 cycles per second.

Delta waves

Your brain is in a delta state when you are in a deep sleep or deep meditation. Delta brainwaves are important because they help your body reach a state that allows you to wind down. Winding down is necessary so you can experience deep, dreamless sleep that will heal and restore your body. Delta brainwaves have the slowest frequency at one-and-a-half to four cycles per second.

Brainwave training

If you’d like to tap into different brainwaves to achieve something specific, there are ways to train yourself.

Here are some tips:

If you want to use certain brainwaves to achieve a certain task listening to binaural beats can help. Binaural beats are sounds at different frequencies (but lower than 1000 Hertz so your brain can detect them).

If you listen to these sounds for a time, specific parts of your brain are activated. This can help you switch to different brainwaves. Find binaural sounds easily online.

Meditation can also help. Regular meditation has been shown to increase alpha activities in your brain and decrease beta brainwaves. This can be particularly helpful if you’re struggling to sleep.

References:

The diet that can decrease your risk of Alzheimer’s disease

In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear in their mid-60s. The irreversible, progressive brain disorder slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out simple tasks.

These first symptoms vary from person to person; but for many, a decline in memory and certain aspects of cognition, like word-finding, vision issues, and impaired reasoning or judgment, may be the first stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

What causes Alzheimer’s?


In some cases of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, there’s a genetic component. As for late-onset Alzheimer’s, it develops from a complex series of brain changes that happen over time. Other causes include a combination of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors..

Food fighters 


Recent studies have identified specific foods that could play a role in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease..

The MIND diet


Researchers from Rush University in Chicago have combined elements from both the Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets to create the Mediterranean-Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet.

A Mediterranean diet is usually high in healthy fats, Omega-3s and wholegrains, and has been shown to lower the risk of cancer and heart disease.

The DASH diet


This diet focuses on fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy and has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack, hypertension and stroke.

Researchers evaluated over 900 seniors who were participating in the Rush Memory and Aging Project (MAP) that studied the ageing process.

They assessed the nutritional information of seniors who were already following basic MIND diet principles as well as those who ate a Mediterranean diet and/or a DASH diet. They tracked the incidences of Alzheimer’s of those seniors over a five-year period. They found that those who followed the MIND diet reduced their risk of developing Alzheimer’s by as much as 53%. Even when this diet wasn’t followed rigorously it was still able to reduce the risk of the disease by 35%.

However, there are also therapeutic interventions that can make it easier for people to live with the disease.

Elements of the MIND diet


In Alzheimer’s disease, inflammation and insulin resistance injure neurons and hinder communication between brain cells. Research suggests a strong link between metabolic disorders and the signal processing systems. So, by adjusting your daily eating habits you’re able to reduce inflammation and protect your brain.

The MIND diet consists of 15 elements: 10 brain-healthy food groups and 5 unhealthy groups.

The 10 brain-healthy food groups:

  • Beans.
  • Berries.
  • Fish.
  • Green leafy vegetables.
  • Nuts.
  • Poultry.
  • Olive oil.
  • Other vegetables.
  • Wholegrains.
  • Wine.

The 5 unhealthy food groups include:

  • Butter and stick margarine.
  • Cheese.
  • Fast or fried foods.
  • Pastries and sweets.
  • Red meats.

References:

What are absence seizures?

An absence seizure is where you experience a short period of “blanking out” or staring into space.. The seizures usually last for such a short time that no-one notices them, even the person who just had it.

They are most common in children between the ages of four to 14. A child may have up to 100 absence seizures each day that go unnoticed. Most kids who experience these seizures may struggle with concentration and learning at school.

Like other seizures, absence seizures are triggered by abnormal brain activity. When the brain receives mixed messages it becomes confused, causing a seizure. When this happens, it affects your awareness of what’s going on around you, but you usually recover immediately.

There are two kinds of absence seizures, typical and atypical.

Typical absence seizures are most common. If you experience one, you’ll suddenly stop everything and it will look as if you’re daydreaming. Your eyelids may flutter and this kind of absence seizure lasts for less than 10 seconds.

Atypical seizures last longer and have different symptoms. They usually start with a blank look. Next, there’s usually a muscle movement, like blinking over and over, smacking the lips or hand motions. This kind of seizure can last for 20 seconds or more.

What’s the difference between daydreaming and absence seizures?


Although daydreaming is very similar to absence seizures, there are some key differences. With daydreaming, it’s more likely to happen when someone is bored, sitting through a long class at school, for example. Daydreaming also happens slowly, whereas absence seizures can happen suddenly and at any time. Absence seizures stop on their own, but daydreaming can be interrupted by external factors, like someone calling your name.

How are absence seizures treated?


Absence seizures can be treated with anti-seizure medications. The kind your doctor prescribes to you will depend on how severe your seizures are and what kind you have. For example, if you experience other seizures besides absence ones, you may have to take more than one type of medication.

You may be given a low dose of medication at first, and later your doctor may increase it as needed to control your seizures. Children may be able to use this treatment for only two years under their doctor’s supervision until they’re seizure-free.

Manage your seizures at home:

  • Take your medication correctly by taking the right dosage every day. Talk to your doctor if you feel it needs adjusting.
  • Wear a medical alert bracelet to help emergency services and your loved ones know how you need to be treated in case of a seizure.
  • Get enough sleep every night. Lack of sleep is an important trigger.
  • Ask your doctor about things you should avoid. For example, activities like driving or swimming alone may not be safe. With absence seizures you blank out for a short period and with driving and swimming, you need to concentrate, or your life could be in danger (i.e. you could end up in a car crash or drown).

References:

Why are your hands shaking?

Everyone, regardless of age, can have a tremor. Hunger, fatigue, anxiety, and more often than not, anger or rage can all cause a trembling hand. We often describe these as “the shakes”. But a tremor that doesn’t go away, even after you’ve eaten or had a chance to calm down, is one to be investigated.

A tremor is an involuntary, rhythmic muscle movement, most often seen in your hands, but which can occur anywhere in your body. They can appear when you’re writing, eating, drawing or even just sitting still. While anyone can have them, they’re most common in older adults.

Tremors can be categorised as resting tremors or action tremors. Within these categories there are almost 20 kinds of tremors, ranging from that shaky feeling you have when you’re anxious, to one that is an early sign of Parkinson’s disease. While most people with tremors are concerned they may have Parkinson’s disease, a doctor will rule this out quickly depending on the action of your tremor, as well as other symptoms.

Types of tremors


Resting tremors appear when you’re generally seated and relaxed. Action tremors occur while you’re moving deliberately.

What causes tremors


There are many conditions and situations in which your hands may shake.

  • Many people with tremors suffer mental health disorders: post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and others.
  • The most common tremor disorder is known as essential tremor, where the tremor is present at rest and when you’re moving. These are often genetic.
  • Alcoholism or drug withdrawal. Alcohol abuse damages areas in your brain which then results in tremors.
  • Mercury poisoning.
  • An overactive thyroid.
  • Chronic conditions such as liver or kidney failure.
  • Caffeine and medications that contain stimulants
  • Dystonia – a movement disorder.

Orthostatic tremor – a rare movement disorder in which leg muscles contract so fast it’s invisible to the naked eye. The disorder makes you feel unsteady when you want to walk. It can be felt by touching the calves.

  • Physiological tremor results from body functions such as our hearts beating. It occurs in both hands in your fingers.

Treating tremors

Once your doctor has determined the reason behind your tremor, he will prescribe the relevant action, medication or behaviours to ease or prevent it. Tremors are diagnosed by where they occur in the body, whether it’s a resting or action tremor, and the action of the tremor.

Most tremors have no cure but if they arise from medication, or mental health problems, they can be addressed. Scaling back on your coffee and relaxing if you’re anxious can reduce tremors, while tremors caused by disorders such as Parkinson’s can be minimised through medication.

Physical-, speech-, and occupational therapy can also help to control tremors, along with surgery.

Tremors are not considered fatal, but depending on the severity, can make life difficult. If your tremors are affecting your daily activities, see your doctor.

References:

How to boost your attention for better performance

The best way to power through any task or goal is to understand your brain’s limitations and figure out ways to work around them.

Your friends may work well with music in the background, but for you, it could be a distraction. Perhaps a quiet room works best and helps you concentrate. There are a few tips and tricks to help you develop excellent concentration and focusing skills; which is what will help you learn and perform better.

Like any activity, concentration takes practice. If you want to be good at something, you must practise…. and you know what they say: practice makes perfect!

Breathe in and out

Start by waking up early and exercising. This will help set the tone for the day as it keeps the oxygen flowing to your brain. Every now and then while working or studying, get up and walk around the room to get your blood flowing and to send new supplies of oxygen to your brain.

Define your task

To help increase your productivity, have a clear understanding of what you need to do and when it should be done. This will help you plan your time accordingly.

Manage your time

It’s not always about how much time you have; it’s how you use it. Once you’ve lost it, you can never get it back and it’s at times like these when you’re likely to start panicking and lose focus. This leads to poor concentration. Use your time efficiently and have a detailed planned schedule ahead of time.

Banish distractions

Put that phone away! Take a hiatus from social media for a couple of hours. Social media is a thief of time and leads to serious procrastination. Find a quiet space where you can be alone or if you’re working in a noisy space, invest in noise-cancelling headphones. Don’t forget that “do not disturb” sign on your door if you’re at home or in res.

Meditate

Meditating keeps you cool, calm and collected. Plus, it can significantly boost your attention span.

Improve your work environment

The more you get the hang of being organised, the easier it will become to concentrate. Jot down the items that need your attention and hang them around your desk as a reminder. Create a filing system for each task. This will also help you find your material more efficiently and won’t waste your time shuffling through a bunch of papers.

Nourish your brain with real food

  • Add Omega-3 rich foods to your meals. Your brain uses Omega-3s to build brain and nerve cells. These fats are necessary for learning and memory. Find these health helpers in fish, walnuts and pumpkin seeds.
  • Stock up on blueberries, which can help improve learning while protecting your brain from free radicals.
  • Choose whole grain options. Wholegrains regulate glucose and improve blood flow.
  • Snack on dark chocolate. Cocoa is rich in flavonoids, which are compounds that are linked to boosting cognitive performance.

Sleep for a winning mindset

The biggest factor that affects concentration is lack of sleep. If you don’t get enough sleep, your mind tends to aimlessly drift, unable to retain information. But, beware: too much sleep is not healthy either.

References:

Trigeminal Neuralgia – how to treat this face shock

Trigeminal neuralgia, also known as TN, is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve is a group of nerves, responsible for carrying sensations from your face to your brain. Each trigeminal nerve is made up of three branches that control the feelings for different parts of your face.

They are:

  • The ophthalmic branch controls your eye, upper eyelid, and forehead.
  • The maxillary branch affects your lower eyelid, cheek, nostril, upper lip, and upper gum.
  • The mandibular branch runs through your jaw, lower lip, lower gum, and some muscles you use for chewing.

With trigeminal neuralgia, any stimulation to your face, including mild ones like the movement of brushing your teeth or applying make-up, triggers agonising pain. Some people describe this pain as a “shock in the face”. The condition affects any of the three nerves, meaning that you can feel discomfort anywhere from your forehead to your jaw.

The condition starts with short, mild attacks and can gradually trigger longer, more frequent ones resulting in excruciating pain. TN affects women more often than men, and it’s more likely to occur in people older than 50.

Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia:

  • Periods of stabbing or shooting twinges that last anything from a few seconds to several minutes.
  • Pain that affects only one side of your face.
  • Pain felt mostly in your jaw, cheek, lips and gums.

Causes

TN can be a signal of several underlying conditions. One of the most common reasons that it develops is when a blood vessel presses on the trigeminal nerve as it exits the brain’s stem. This ongoing compression wears away and damages the protective coating (the myelin) that surrounds the nerve. TN is common in people who have multiple sclerosis, a disease where the trigeminal nerve’s myelin sheath is deteriorated. An injury to the trigeminal nerve, like from a stroke, sinus surgery, or facial trauma can also result in TN.

Treatment

Medication

Your doctor may prescribe you medication, called anticonvulsants, which helps prevent these nerves from reacting when they’re irritated. Muscle relaxants are also helpful, along with tricyclic antidepressants to manage your symptoms.

Surgery

Medication can lose its effect over time. If this happens, there are several surgery options that your doctor could suggest:

  • Gamma knife radiosurgery
    Uses radiation focused on the trigeminal nerve.
  • Microvascular decompression
    Moves or takes out blood vessels that are affecting the nerve.
  • Rhizotomy
    Destroys nerve fibres.
  • Neurectomy
    Involves cutting a part of the nerve. It’s usually performed near the entrance point of the nerve at the brain’s stem provided there is no vessel pressing against the trigeminal nerve. This surgery is also done by cutting superficial branches of the nerve in the face. However, if the operation is performed in your face, there’s a possibility that the nerve might grow back. That means the painful sensations may return.

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Could your child have Rett syndrome?

Rett syndrome is a rare, severe neurological condition that affects mainly girls. When it comes to diagnosis, the age varies but often infants only start to show signs between the age of 12 and 18 months. Symptoms can come on suddenly or progress slowly over time.

The most common symptoms of Rett syndrome include:

  • Slowed growth. Stunted development can affect the size of a baby’s head (small head) and brain growth. This becomes clearer as your baby grows older.
  • Lack of language skills. Kids with Rett syndrome may struggle with social and language skills between the ages of one to four. They may experience severe social anxiety and might stop talking altogether. They might also have no interest in playing with toys and interacting with people.
  • Struggling with hand movements. Most children with Rett syndrome lose the use of their hands and may wring or rub their hands together.
  • Muscle and coordination problems. Rett syndrome can cause a child to struggle with coordination and muscle use which can make walking difficult.
  • Apraxia. This means that your child struggles with movements of his/her body, eyes and mouth-muscles for speech. This is one of the most severe symptoms of Rett syndrome.

Rett syndrome typically has four separate stages:

Stage one
The first stage is early onset. It takes place during the early stages of development, between six and 18 months of age. This stage is commonly overlooked as the symptoms at this point are subtle. For example, your infant may show signs like a disinterest in toys, they may show less eye contact and there may be delays in motor skills like sitting and crawling. This stage usually lasts a few months but can continue for more than a year.

Stage two
Also known as the rapid destructive stage, stage two usually begins between the ages of one and four and could last for weeks or a few months. During this stage, it’s common for a child to lose hand and language skills. Breathing irregularities are also common. This may include sleep apnoea and hyperventilation. Girls tend to struggle with autistic symptoms like loss of social interaction skills. Slowed brain and head growth, as well walking unsteadily are also experienced in this stage.

Stage three
This phase begins between the ages of two and 10 and can last for years. Symptoms include motor problems, seizures and Apraxia (an inability to perform certain actions like dressing). There may be an improvement in behaviour at this stage. Girls may show more interest in social interaction and her communication skills and attention span could improve.

Stage four
Also known as the late motor deterioration stage, the fourth stage can last for years and even decades. Symptoms here include muscle weakness, reduced mobility and scoliosis (curvature of the spine). Those who could previously walk may stop walking.

Is there treatment available?

Unfortunately,  there’s no cure for Rett syndrome. Instead, treatment focuses on managing the symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe medication for symptoms like breathing irregularities, seizures and motor difficulties. Severe symptoms like scoliosis and possible heart conditions are closely monitored.

Occupational therapy can be useful to help children develop fine motor skills, feeding and dressing themselves. Physical therapy can help prolong mobility and special equipment like braces and splints may benefit any restricted hand movements. Treatment to manage symptoms will vary according to the stage of Rett syndrome and its severity.

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