It probably comes as no surprise to anyone involved in contact sports that the risk of getting a concussion while playing those sports is high. A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury that is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. It can also be caused by a hit or
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When to See Neurosurgeons vs. Orthopedic Surgeons
Traditionally, neurosurgeons were the doctors of choice for spinal surgery. In the last several decades, some orthopedic surgeons have also been treating spinal conditions. However, while orthopedists handle musculoskeletal conditions and may have special training in spine treatment, the focus of neurosurgeons is to treat the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. And whereas the field
Read MoreDegenerative Disc Disease
As we age, we face a host of challenging issues. Health problems may crop up, poor lifestyle choices can catch up with us, while exercise and healthy eating often fall by the wayside of our busy lives. For example, by the age of 40, nearly everyone has experienced some type of back pain. In many
Read MoreSmoking and Strokes: What’s the Connection?
Stroke is a leading cause of death in the US. And even those who survive a stroke may be permanently disabled. A stroke occurs when an artery that provides oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to the brain is partially or completely blocked, or ruptures. The part of the brain depending on that artery becomes damaged and
Read MoreActivities That Support Cognitive Health
With a population of seniors increasing in number, finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease is one of the top priorities of medical research today. More than 5 million Americans have this disease, which accounts for 60 to 70 percent of dementia cases in older adults. With the aging process, the possibility of developing this chronic,
Read MoreCan You Prevent Herniated Discs?
Herniated discs can hurt. Also known as slipped discs, they can cause severe pain in the neck, lower back, and the legs. There are several possible causes of herniated discs, and some may even be preventable. The following are some causes of herniated discs and what you can do to reduce your risk of developing
Read MoreThe Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
The spine is a long, tubular series of vertebrae (bones) and protective discs – and every disc sits between each set of two adjacent vertebrae. These bones and discs are stacked on top of each other from the bottom of the skull all the way down to the lower back. The spine surrounds the spinal
Read MoreTop 5 Most Common Neurological Disorders
Nerves are like a network through which your brain communicates with the rest of the body. Neurology is the study of the systems of these nerves, which connect the brain with the spinal cord and with all the peripheral areas of the body – from the fingertips to the toes. A neurological disorder means that
Read MoreBrain Tumor Signs and Symptoms
A brain tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that has grown in the brain. Brain tumors are either malignant, which means cancerous, or benign, which is noncancerous. It’s impossible to see a brain tumor with the naked eye, so how do you figure out if you have one? Signs and symptoms can help determine
Read MoreGlioblastoma 101
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a malignant brain tumor; it is a grade-4 astrocytoma. It’s a very aggressive type of brain cancer that grows and spreads quickly to other parts of the brain. It’s a primary brain tumor, which means it starts in the brain – it didn’t metastasize (spread) from a cancer that began elsewhere
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