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Alzheimer's Disease(NR001)
Introduction
Alzheimer's Disease is defined by the National Institute on Aging as progressive, irreversible declines in memory, performance of routine tasks, time and space orientation, language and communication skills, abstract thinking, and the ability to learn and carry out mathematical calculations. Other symptoms include personality changes and impaired judgement.
The hallmark changes of AD are dense deposits (neuritic plaques) of a protein fragment called beta amyloid outside the nerve cells (neurons) in the brain, and twisted strands (neurofibrillary tangles) of a protein called tau inside the cells. There is a loss of these neurons' connections (synapses) with other neurons in areas of the brain that are vital to memory and other mental abilities. This process is thought to also cause an inflammatory response, which has lead to the investigation of anti-inflammatory medications as an adjunctive therapy. In addition to the loss of neurons, there are also lower levels of chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain that carry complex messages back and forth between millions of nerve cells.
A team approach utilizing the expertise of the primary health care provider, nursing, and social work together with the patient, significant others, and caregivers is usually the most effective approach in treating AD. Other disciplines may, at times, be very important members of this team, including physical or occupational therapy, speech therapy, psychiatry, case management, support groups, clergy and hospice.
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The Medifocus Guide on Alzheimer's Disease provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing Alzheimer's Disease?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease?What treatment options are available for the management of Alzheimer's Disease?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in Alzheimer's Disease?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for Alzheimer's Disease?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about Alzheimer's Disease?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
The parahippocampal gyrus in Alzheimer's disease. Clinical and preclinical neuroanatomical correlates.Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2000 From healthy aging to early Alzheimer's disease: in vivo detection of entorhinal cortex atrophy.Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2000 Homocysteine, Alzheimer's disease, and cognitive function.Nutrition. 2000 Molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease.Cellular & Molecular Life Sciences. 2000 Practice parameter: risk of driving and Alzheimer's disease (an evidence-based review): report of the quality standards subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.Neurology. 2000 Cyclin' toward dementia: cell cycle abnormalities and abortive oncogenesis in Alzheimer disease.Journal of Neuroscience Research. 2000 Autotoxicity and Alzheimer disease.Archives of Neurology. 2000 Vascular abnormalities: the insidious pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.Neurobiology of Aging. 2000 Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.Neurobiology of Aging. 2000 The role of cerebral ischemia in Alzheimer's disease.Neurobiology of Aging. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Cluster Headaches(NR019)
Introduction
Cluster Headaches (CH) affect approximately 0.1-0.4% of the general population, and 8-10% of all persons who suffer from headaches. The most commonly occur in men between the ages of 20 and 40 years of age. Persons who suffer from CH tend to be sociable, active and responsible. For this reason, CH are sometimes called "the executive headache".
CH is one of the most severe forms of headache. The underlying cause is still poorly understood. It is thought that the pain may be related to the dilation of blood vessels or to inflammation of nerves behind the eye.
Cluster headaches are so called because of the pattern of attacks. Episodic CH consists of "active" or "on" periods that may last for days to months, during which headaches may occur every other day or as frequently as 8 times per day. Headache-free remissions may last months to several years. During "active" periods, attacks may be triggered by a variety of factors.
The goals of care are the control of pain in acute attacks, prevention of recurrences and minimization of impact on daily functioning. Treatment usually consists of medication, but may require nerve injection, radiofrequency therapy or oxygen therapy.
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The Medifocus Guide on Cluster Headache provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of cluster headache?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing cluster headache?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of cluster headache?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of cluster headache?What treatment options are available for the management of cluster headache?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in cluster headache?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for cluster headache?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about cluster headache??What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Mechanisms and management of headache.Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London. 1999 Cluster headache: new perspectives.Cephalalgia. 1999 The treatment of cluster headache.Functional Neurology. 1998 Cluster headache.Seminars in Neurology. 1997 Substance P theory: a unique focus on the painful and painless phenomena of cluster headache.Headache. 1990 Cluster headache sine headache: case report.Neurology. 2000 What are cluster headaches and how are they treated?.Health News. 2000 Cluster headaches: association with anxiety disorders and memory deficits.Neurology. 1999 Cluster headache and lifestyle: remarks on a population of 374 male patients.Cephalalgia. 1999 Short-lasting primary headaches: focus on trigeminal automatic cephalgias and indomethacin-sensitive headaches.Current Opinion in Neurology. 1999 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Ischemic Stroke(NR008)
Introduction
Stroke occurs when there is insufficient blood flow to the brain. This may occur for a variety of reasons. Strokes may be hemorrhagic (bleeding into the brain) or ischemic (blockage of a vessel depriving the brain of circulation - "infarction"). The mechanisms of damage to the brain in stroke are similar to those on the heart in a heart attack.
Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death among adults in the United States with over 730,000 strokes occurring each year. There are approximately 3 million stroke survivors in the United States.
The importance of immediate medical care for persons experiencing stroke is now widely recognized. Efforts to educate the public and medical personnel alike are helping to improve outcome by encouraging prompt attention and treatment to reduce complications and disability.
A variety of treatment options are available. Medications are used in both the treatment of acute stroke and the prevention of subsequent strokes. Reperfusion therapy is aimed at improving blood flow to the ischemic region and thus limiting the size of the acute infarction. Direct intra-arterial infusion of antithrombolytic agents via a catheter delivers higher concentrations of drug directly to the clot however, this approach is considered experimental. Surgical interventions are also available. Rehabilitation is an important part of stroke treatment. It involves regaining optimal health and functional ability following a stroke.
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The Medifocus Guide on Ischemic Stroke provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of Ischemic Stroke?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing Ischemic Stroke?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of Ischemic Stroke?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of Ischemic Stroke?What treatment options are available for the management of Ischemic Stroke?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in Ischemic Stroke?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for Ischemic Stroke?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about Ischemic Stroke?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Treatment of acute ischemic stroke.New England Journal of Medicine. 2000 Thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke.Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society. 2000 Preventing ischemic stroke. Current approaches to primary and secondary prevention.Postgraduate Medicine. 2000 Update on antiplatelet therapy for stroke prevention.Archives of Internal Medicine. 2000 Transient ischaemic attacks and stroke.Medical Journal of Australia. 2000 Gender differences in acute CNS trauma and stroke: neuroprotective effects of estrogen and progesterone.Journal of Neurotrauma. 2000 Cardiovascular issues with oral contraceptives: evidenced-based medicine.International Journal of Fertility & Womens Medicine. 2000 Intelligence after stroke in childhood: review of the literature and suggestions for future research.Journal of Child Neurology. 2000 Risk factors for arterial ischemic stroke in children.Journal of Child Neurology. 2000 Acute ischemic stroke management.Thrombosis Research. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Migraine Headaches(NR009)
Introduction
Migraine is a syndrome characterized by recurrent headaches with or without aura that can include various combinations of neurologic, gastrointestinal, and autonomic changes.
Migraine headaches are experienced by persons of all races, cultures, and geographical locations. Migraine can not be diagnosed after a single episode. Migraine is by definition, recurrent, and symptoms must meet certain criteria to establish the diagnosis and to be classified according to type of migraine.
It is estimated that more than 23 million Americans - about 17% of women and 6% of men - experience migraine. Migraine is the most common cause of severe recurrent headache in children and one child in nine (10.6%) of school age children suffers from migraine. The annual financial burden to society is estimated to be in the range of $1 billion to $17 billion.
Treatment strategies for migraine fall into two broad categories: symptomatic (abortive) and preventive (prophylactic). The goals of treatment are to relieve pain and the associated symptoms and to optimize the person's ability to function normally.
Treatment strategies are based on the frequency, nature, and severity of attacks. Individualization of treatment is an important aspect of successful care. Symptom relief should include not only on the pain of the headache, but associated symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. The rare occurrence of intractable, acute migraine may require hospitalization and aggressive intravenous treatment.
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The Medifocus Guide on Migraine Headaches provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of migraine headaches?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing migraine headaches?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of migraine headaches?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of migraine headaches?What treatment options are available for the management of migraine headaches?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in migraine headaches?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for migraine headaches?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about migraine headaches?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Emergency department management of pediatric migraine.Pediatric Emergency Care. 2000 Migraine and headache in childhood and adolescence.Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2000 Are the triptans for migraine therapy worth the cost?.Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences. 2000 Molecular genetics of migraine headaches: a review.Cephalalgia. 2000 Caring for the woman with migraine headaches.Nurse Practitioner. 2000 Pediatric febrile seizures and childhood headaches in primary care.Nursing Clinics of North America. 2000 The relationship of migraine and stroke.Neuroepidemiology. 2000 Newer intranasal migraine medications.American Family Physician. 2000 Ergotamine in the acute treatment of migraine: a review and European consensus.Brain. 2000 Migraine: clinical features and diagnosis.Comprehensive Therapy. 1999 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
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MediFocus MedCenter ©
Multiple Sclerosis(NR010)
Introduction
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). MS is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body's immune system is damage by genetic or environmental factors (or both), causing it to attack its own tissues. In the case of MS, these tissues are the myelin covering the nerve fibers in the brain.
During an MS attack, inflammation occurs in areas of the white matter of the central nervous system in random patches called plaques. This process is followed by destruction of myelin, the fatty covering that insulates nerve cell fibers in the brain and spinal cord. Myelin facilitates the smooth, high-speed transmission of electrochemical messages between the brain, the spinal cord, and the rest of the body; when it is damaged, neurological transmission of messages may be slowed or blocked completely, leading to diminished or lost function.
There are two main types of MS. The relapsing-remitting type is characterized by periods of worsening symptoms followed by periods of remission. The chronic progressive type is characterized by a steadily progressive course with few or no periods of symptom remission.
Treatment modalities include medications, therapy, and sometimes, surgery for specific problems.
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The Medifocus Guide on Multiple Sclerosis provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing Multiple Sclerosis?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis?What treatment options are available for the management of Multiple Sclerosis?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in Multiple Sclerosis?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for Multiple Sclerosis?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about Multiple Sclerosis?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
High dose immunosuppression with hemopoietic stem cell support in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.Israel Medical Association Journal: IMAJ. 2000 Disease-modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis: a rapid and systematic review.Health Technology Assessment (South Hampton, NY). 2000 T cell receptor peptides for the vaccination therapy of multiple sclerosis.Ernst Schering Research Foundation Workshop. 2000 Neurology. 4: Multiple sclerosis.Medical Journal of Australia. 2000 Trauma does not precipitate multiple sclerosis.Archives of Neurology. 2000 Trauma to the central nervous system may result in formation or enlargement of multiple sclerosis plaques.Archives of Neurology. 2000 Multiple sclerosis: care needs for 2000 and beyond.Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 2000 A cost evaluation of multiple sclerosis.Journal of Neurovirology. 2000 MRI correlates of cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis patients.Journal of Neurovirology. 2000 Mood disorders in multiple sclerosis: diagnosis and treatment.Journal of Neurovirology. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Click here for more information.
MediFocus MedCenter ©
Parkinson's Disease(NR013)
Introduction
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a slowly progressive disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, muscle control, and balance. PD was named for James Parkinson, a general practitioner in London during the 19th century who first described the symptoms of the disease.
Dopamine is one of three major neurotransmitters known as catecholamines which help the body respond to stress and prepare for the fight-or-flight response. Loss of dopamine in the corpus stratia is the primary defect in Parkinson's Disease. By the time symptoms develop, there is an 80-90% loss of dopamine-producing cells.
Although the exact cause of PD is unknown, research has concentrated on genetics, environmental toxins, endogenous toxins, and viral infection. The disease can significantly impair quality of life as well as survival.
Treatment is very individualized with the goals of treatment being to relieve disabilities while minimizing side effects of medications. The decision to treat early PD with pharmacologic agents often depends on the particular needs of the person and careful weighing of possible benefits, cost and adverse outcomes.
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The Medifocus Guide on Parkinson's Disease provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of Parkinson's Disease?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing Parkinson's Disease?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease?What treatment options are available for the management of Parkinson's Disease?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in Parkinson's Disease?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for Parkinson's Disease?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about Parkinson's Disease?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease.Professional Nurse. 2000 Parkinson's disease: a neurodegenerative disease particularly amenable to gene therapy.2000 Surgery for Parkinson disease: A critical evaluation of the state of the art.Archives of Neurology. 2000 Too many treatments for Parkinson's disease: how should they be used?.WMJ. 2000 The use of SPECT in the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal. 2000 Dopamine agonists in the treatment of Parkinson s disease past, present and future.Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2000 The role of functional neurosurgery in Parkinson's disease.Israel Medical Association Journal: IMAJ. 2000 Parkinson's: integrating the primary and secondary care guidelines.Practitioner. 2000 Parkinson's disease.Harvard Mental Health Letter. 2000 The role of entacapone in the management of Parkinson's disease.Hospital Medicine (London). 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
Click here for more information.
MediFocus MedCenter ©
Peripheral Neuropathy(NR021)
Introduction
Peripheral nerves are those outside the brain or spinal cord and include most of the cranial nerves, the spinal nerve roots, the dorsal root ganglia, the peripheral nerve trunks and their terminal branches, and the peripheral autonomic nervous system.
Peripheral neuropathy (PN) results from damage to these peripheral nerves that may be due to several different causes. PN may affect persons of all ages, including children.
The time course of a neuropathy varies, based on its underlying cause. With trauma or circulatory problems, the onset of symptoms will be acute, or sudden, with the most severe symptoms at the onset. Inflammatory and some metabolic neuropathies have a subacute course extending over days to weeks. A chronic course over weeks to months usually indicates a toxic or metabolic neuropathy. A chronic, slowly progressive neuropathy over many years occurs with most hereditary neuropathies or with a condition called chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Neuropathies with symptoms that relapse and remit include the Guillain-Barre syndrome.
There is no one treatment to adequately, predictably and specifically control established neuropathic pain. However, there are a variety of medications available to help control the pain.
The overall aim of treatment is maximization of comfort and function and to help the individual cope by means of various therapies and support.
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The Medifocus Guide on Peripheral Neuropathy provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing peripheral neuropathy?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy?What treatment options are available for the management of peripheral neuropathy?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in peripheral neuropathy?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for peripheral neuropathy?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about peripheral neuropathy?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Role of neurophysiologic evaluation in diagnosis.Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2000 Systemic lidocaine for neuropathic pain relief.Pain. 2000 Assessment of peripheral neuropathy in the diabetic foot.Journal of Tissue Viability. 2000 Neuropeptides--an overview.Neuropharmacology. 2000 The Charcot foot.Diabetic Medicine. 2000 The molecular basis for understanding neurotrophins and their relevance to neurologic disease.Archives of Neurology. 2000 The ciliary neurotrophic factor and its receptor, CNTFR alpha.Pharmaceutica Acta Helvetiae. 2000 Receptors in neurodegenerative diseases.Pharmaceutica Acta Helvetiae. 2000 Peripheral neuropathies causing chronic pelvic pain.2000 Aldose reductase inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
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MediFocus MedCenter ©
Stroke Rehabilitation(NR020)
Introduction
Rehabilitation involves regaining optimal health and functional ability following an illness or injury. While a number of definitions exist, the common goal is the restoration of as much independence and "normality" as possible. This requires a team of skilled rehabilitation professionals to help the individual regain function in the variety of daily activities.
Strategies for stroke rehabilitation should be started as soon as possible, preferably in the acute setting and then continued in a rehab setting or at home, as appropriate. Physical therapy is focused on regaining gross motor deficits (transferring, walking, stairs, etc.). Occupational therapy focuses on fine motor functions and focal deficits such as visual deficits, brain functions such as mathematical calculations, and daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and kitchen activities. Speech therapy targets assessment and recovery of two important functions: speech functions (such as linguistics and articulation) and swallowing ability.
Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide
The Medifocus Guide on Stroke Rehabilitation provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of stroke?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing stroke?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of stroke?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of stroke?What treatment options are available for the management of stroke?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in stroke rehabilitation?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for stroke rehabilitation?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about stroke rehabilitation?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Stroke rehabilitation for the older person: current evidence, potential problems and future challenges.New Zealand Medical Journal. 2000 Enhancing recovery after stroke with noradrenergic pharmacotherapy: a new frontier?.Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences. 2000 Services for helping acute stroke patients avoid hospital admission.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000 Services for reducing duration of hospital care for acute stroke patients. Early Supported Discharge Trialists.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000 Speech and language therapy for aphasia following stroke.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000 Organised inpatient (stroke unit) care for stroke. Stroke Unit Trialists' Collaboration.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000 The scope for rehabilitation in severely disabled stroke patients.Disability & Rehabilitation. 2000 The scope for rehabilitation in severely disabled stroke patients.Disability & Rehabilitation. 2000 Rehabilitation after severe stroke--an enthusiastic approval and a cautionary note.Disability & Rehabilitation. 2000 Evaluating fitness to drive after cerebral injury: basic issues and recommendations for medical and legal communities.Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
© Copyright 2000-2001 Medifocus.com, Inc. All rights reserved.
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MediFocus MedCenter ©
Trigeminal Neuralgia (tic Doloreaux)(NR018)
Introduction
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a disorder of unilateral (usually right-sided) facial pain. While the exact cause is unknown, it is thought that TN results from irritation of the trigeminal nerve. This irritation results from damage due either to changes in the blood vessels or the presence of a tumor or other lesions that cause compression of the nerve.
The first symptoms of TN most commonly occur in persons over the age of 50, and affect women more often than men.
The pain of TN is characterized by unilateral pain attacks that start abruptly and last for varying periods of time from minutes to hours. The pain quality is usually sharp, stabbing, lancinating (cutting or tearing), and burning. It may have an "electric shock"-like character. The attacks are initiated by stimuli such as light touch of the skin, chewing, washing the face, and brushing the teeth. In some individuals the attacks may be initiated by non-painful physical stimulation of specific areas (trigger points or zones) that are located on the same side of the face as the pain.
Medical treatment is often very effective in controlling pain symptoms. In fact, the anti-seizure drug carbamazepine is so effective initially that the lack of response often calls into question the accuracy of the diagnosis.
For persons with continued pain after medical therapy, surgical options may be considered. These procedures have variable risks but may be very effective.
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The Medifocus Guide on Trigeminal Neuralgia provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:
What are the most common symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia?Are there any recognized risk factors for developing trigeminal neuralgia?What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia?What is the current standard of care for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia?What treatment options are available for the management of trigeminal neuralgia?Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in trigeminal neuralgia?Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for trigeminal neuralgia?What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about trigeminal neuralgia?What Your Doctor Reads:
This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:
Trigeminal neuralgia: opportunities for research and treatment.Pain. 2000 Acute and chronic craniofacial pain: brainstem mechanisms of nociceptive transmission and neuroplasticity, and their clinical correlates.Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine. 2000 On the natural history of trigeminal neuralgia.Neurosurgery. 2000 Trigeminal neuralgia: a diagnostic challenge.American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 1999 Medically unexplained chronic orofacial pain. Temporomandibular pain and dysfunction syndrome, orofacial phantom pain, burning mouth syndrome, and trigeminal neuralgia.Medical Clinics of North America. 1999 When is facial pain trigeminal neuralgia?.Postgraduate Medicine. 1998 Trigeminal neuralgia: mechanisms of treatment.Neurology. 1998 Trigeminal neuralgia.Primary Dental Care. 1997 Atypical facial pain and other pain syndromes. Differential diagnosis and treatment.Neurosurgery Clinics of North America. 1997 Neuronal hamartoma of the trigeminal sensory root associated with trigeminal neuralgia.Journal of Neurosurgery. 2000 MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information
MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.
MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.
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