Devic’s disease (also known as Neuromyelitis optica or NMO) is a rare disorder similar to multiple sclerosis (MS). It is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that causes episodes of inflammation and damage to the myelin, the fatty, protective covering of the nerves, in the eye and the spinal chord. It may cause temporary or permanent blindness, in one or both eyes, varying degrees of weakness or paralysis in the legs and arms, painful spasms, loss of sensation, and bladder or bowel dysfunction. Devic’s disease is most common in women. The onset varies from childhood to adulthood.
The main symptoms of Devic’s disease are a rapid, intense decrease in vision in either or both eyes, diminished light sensitivity, loss of color vision, loss of sensation, numbness, loss of bladder control, lack of coordination, and muscle weakness.
The outcome of this disease is highly variable, depending on whether there is a tendency for relapses to occur after the initial symptoms. The major risk to patients is severe damage to the upper spinal cord, which can lead to the inability to breathe on one’s own. Some patients seem to enter a long period of time where the disease remains stable.
Diagnosis of Devic’s disease requires several steps. First, a neurological examination is needed to examine parts of the nervous system such as muscle strength, reflexes, coordination and balance, sensation, vision and speech. Then, a 45 minute Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) scan is done in order to examine the neck, spinal cord, soft tissues and brain. Evoked potentials, to test and record the brain’s responses to sound, touch and light are then performed using a gel to position small disks on the scalp and in some cases, the earlobes, neck, shoulders and back. This testing is harmless, painless and very sensitive in detecting damaged areas in the brain. In some cases, a spinal tap is necessary. In this procedure, a physician uses a thin, hollow needle to remove small samples of fluid from within the spinal canal.
Short-term treatment of Devic’s disease includes medication to manage acute attacks and prevent future ones. Currently, there have not been any controlled clinical trials that have proven effectiveness of any long-term treatment. However, plasma exchange may be a long-term option. Plasma exchange is a procedure that involves removing some blood and mechanically separating the blood cells from the fluid. Blood cells then are mixed with a replacement solution, such as albumin or a synthetic fluid with properties like plasma. The solution with the blood is then returned to the body. This works in approximately 40 percent of patients.

According to NorthShore University HealthSystem, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of mental decline, also known as dementia. This disorder damages the brain and causes a steady loss of memory, meanwhile affecting judgment, intelligence, behavior and the ability to speak, think, work and do daily activities.

Alzheimer’s disease becomes worse over time; however, the speed at which it does so varies for different people. For example, some people become unable to carry on daily activities at early onset of the disease, while others are able to manage fairly well until much later into the disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is caused by changes in the brain. The direct cause is still unknown; however scientists have discovered that the disorder is due to a buildup of proteins in the brain that lead to a loss of neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of the brain).
The disorder is most common in people over the age of 60. People who have a family history of Alzheimer’s have a high risk of developing the disease. Other risks include head injury, a hard fall and history of heart disease.

Although it is common to experience mild memory loss with age, it is important to see a doctor when experiencing new, frequent forms of memory loss. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include having trouble making decisions, confusion about the time and date, getting lost in well-known places, trouble learning and remembering new information, trouble finding the right words to say and more trouble doing daily tasks such as cooking or paying bills. As Alzheimer’s gets worse, people may develop sundowning, or getting restless and wandering in late afternoon and at night. They may also start to act very differently, withdrawing from family and friends, hallucinating, falsely believing others are lying, cheating, using or trying to harm them, and frequently lashing out at others.

Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. However, doctors will prescribe certain medicines to help with memory, thinking, and confusion.

For more information, as well as treatment options, visit NorthShore University HealthSystem.

According to the Mayo Clinic, multiple system atrophy is a symptom of Parkinson’s disease, and a rare disorder. It is a progressive, adult-onset disease that affects many areas of the brain, as well as their associated systems in the body.
Patients with multiple system atrophy have a high chance of developing widespread damage to the nervous system. This is because multiple system atrophy causes autonomic dysfunction, preventing the systems of the body which are not under conscious control, such as blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, digestion and sexual function.
Symptoms of multiple system atrophy include changes in facial expression, such as a “mask” appearance to the face, inability to close the mouth and staring, difficulty chewing or swallowing, disrupted sleep patterns, dizziness, frequent falling, fainting, loss of motor skills or overall control of the body, muscle aches and pains, nausea, problems with digestion, posture difficulties, slow movements, tremors, and voice and speech changes. These symptoms may lead to others, such as confusion, dementia, depression, and sleep-related breathing difficulties.
Multiple system atrophy is most often diagnosed in men over the age of 60. Doctors will check blood pressure and run eye and nerve examinations in order to diagnose the disease. Currently there is no treatment for multiple system atrophy. However, patients are given medication to help control symptoms.
For more information on multiple system atrophy, visit the Neurosciences Department of NorthShore University HealthSystem.

More than 35 million Americans suffer from insomnia, a condition that makes falling and staying asleep extremely difficult. Brief episodes of insomnia, resulting from things such as death of a loved one or a new school year starting are considered normal. However, if insomnia lasts more than a month, it may require treatment.

Some people have a genetic vulnerability to insomnia. These people usually have short sleep requirements and are very sensitive to noise or light when trying to fall asleep. Psychological factors are also prominent in insomnia causes. People experiencing stress, anxiety, psychiatric disorders or depression are more likely to develop insomnia. By the development of tolerance over time, sometimes sleeping pills contribute to insomnia.

Symptoms of insomnia become prominent when it interferes with daytime functioning. Daytime effects include difficulty waking up in the morning, sleepiness during the day, trouble concentrating, irritability, depression and anxiety. It is treated with stress reduction techniques and therapy. Most patients see improvement within a few weeks of learning techniques and starting therapy. Sometimes short-term medication is also prescribed.

For more information on insomnia and other neurological disorders, visit NorthShore University HealthSystem.

NorthShore University HealthSystem will be holding an online live chat on stress management. The chat, “How to Keep Stress from Ruining Your Health”, will be held on Thursday, January 21st at 11am CST.

A stroke occurs when blood vessels in the brain burst (ischemic stroke) or are blocked (hemorrhagic stroke). When a blood clot blocks blood vessels or a vessel bleeds into brain tissue, the brain does not receive oxygen and fails to work properly, preventing parts of the body from working properly as well. About 80% of strokes are triggered by a blood clot.

Brain damage can occur within minutes of a stroke so it is extremely important to recognize the symptoms and seek medical assistance. Symptoms include: sudden numbness, paralysis, weakness in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body, new problems with walking or balance, sudden vision changes, drooling or slurred speech, new problems speaking or understanding simple statements, feeling confused and sudden, severe headaches that are different from past headaches. A stroke can be diagnosed within 3 hours of experiencing symptoms.

Treatments vary based on the type of stroke. For an ischemic stroke, medicine is given to dissolve blood clots. For a hemorrhagic stroke, surgery may be required, as well as other medicines. After having a stroke, stroke therapy may be recommended by your doctor in order to regain mobility.

In order to prevent a stroke, it is important to avoid smoking, eat a heart-healthy diet, get at least 2.5 hours of exercise a week, stay at a healthy weight, control your blood pressure and cholesterol level, keep your sugar levels as close to normal as possible if you are diabetic and limit your alcohol intake.

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that affects body movement. While the direct cause of Parkinson’s disease has not yet been discovered, research shows that abnormal genes, aging, and toxins in the environment may be possible causes

Parkinson’s disease occurs when there is a problem with nerve cells in the brain. When these cells begin to break down, the body stops making normal amounts of dopamine, a chemical that allows for muscle control. The less dopamine a person produces, the harder it becomes to move properly.

There are four main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: trembling, stiff muscles, slow movement and problems balancing or walking. Most symptoms are experienced between the ages of 50 and 60.

The disease is diagnosed through a neurological exam, which involves questions and tests to determine proper nerve ability. Currently, treatment for Parkinson’s disease has not been developed. However, there are medicines that help control symptoms and make the disorder easier to live with. Your doctor will prescribe medicines when symptoms get in the way of daily life, and they will adjust them as symptoms gets worse. Sometimes, deep brain simulation may also be used to ease the disorder.

If you have Parkinson’s disease, there are many things you can do to stay independent and healthy. Some of these are eating healthy, getting rest and exercising. Physical and occupational therapy can also help.

For more information on Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorder, visit the Neurosciences Department of NorthShore University HealthSystem.

According to NorthShore University HealthSystem, multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by damage to the outer nerve cells and fibers that lie on the spinal cord. Over time, this damage results in decreased nerve functioning, and may lead to a variety of symptoms.

Some symptoms of multiple sclerosis include blurred vision, muscle weakness, problems with posture, numbness, problems swallowing and stuttering. However, there are many different symptoms of this disease.

Multiple sclerosis is usually detected through an MRI scan. There are currently three main categories of treatment: corticosteroids, immune-modulating medications and different drugs. Acute exacerbations, or symptom relapses are treated with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents called corticosteroids. Immuno-modulating medications are used to treat and manage long-term multiple sclerosis. Lastly, different drugs are used to treat common symptoms of multiple sclerosis, like bladder problems, pain or tingling.

A new study suggests Fear of anxiety may push worriers into depression. The study was performed at Penn State. The study surveyed 94 volunteers (average age of 19) who were moderate to high worriers. The questionnaires assessed worry, generalized anxiety and depression.
NorthShore University HealthSystem reports, “the responses showed that anxiety sensitivity significantly predicted depression symptoms. The researchers also found that two of the four issues that comprise anxiety sensitivity — the “fear of cognitive dyscontrol” and the “fear of publically observable anxiety symptoms” — specifically predicted depression symptoms. The two other issues — the “fear of cardiovascular symptoms” and the “fear of respiratory symptoms” — weren’t significant predictors of depression”.

Andres Viana, a graduate student in psychology at Penn State said, “Those with anxiety sensitivity are afraid of their anxiety because their interpretation is that something catastrophic is going to happen when their anxious sensations arise.”

Several studies have linked anxiety sensitivity to depression, which suggests that treating anxiety sensitivity may help prevent and treat depression, Viana said

According to a new study, elderly people with weak muscles may be at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

NorthShore University HealthSystem covered a recent study conducted by Rush University Medical Center in Chicago:

Researchers  followed 970 older adults (average age 80) who didn’t have dementia at the start of the study. The participants underwent a number of evaluations, including tests of cognitive function and muscle strength.

During an average 3.6 years of follow-up, 138 (14.2 percent) of the participants developed Alzheimer’s disease. Those with the highest levels of muscle strength at the start of the study were 61 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those with the weakest muscles, the researchers found.

The link between muscle strength and Alzheimer’s remained even after the researchers accounted for other factors, such as body mass index and physical activity levels.

The researchers also found that weak muscles were associated with increased risk of mild cognitive impairment, the earliest sign of cognitive decline.

For the full study visit the news section of NorthShore University HealthSystem