Brain and Nervous System Medical Reference
- Live Better With Double Vision from Myasthenia Gravis
Find out more about how myasthenia gravis leads to double vision and what you can do to live with it.
- Myasthenia Gravis: Make the Most of Your Energy
When you have myasthenia gravis, it’s important to make the most of your limited energy. These tips, tools, and life hacks can help you feel stronger, longer.
- Neuromyelitis Optica
Neuromyelitis optica, or NMO, is a rare disease that mostly affects your eyes and spinal cord. It’s also known as Devic's disease.
- Diagnosis of Acute Hepatic Porphyria
If you have acute hepatic porphyria, the proper diagnosis is crucial. Here's how that happens.
- What Is Acute Hepatic Porphyria?
Acute hepatic porphyria is one of a group of disorders that are triggered by a buildup of natural chemicals in your body. It can cause nerve problems and other symptoms.
- Managing and Treating Acute Hepatic Porphyria
How you treat acute hepatic porphyria depends on your symptoms. Learn how those treatments can help you feel better and prevent attacks.
- Signs and Symptoms of Acute Hepatic Porphyria
You may feel AHP in a different way than someone else. And your doctor may mistake your symptoms for another disease. Learn what to look for.
- Prenatal Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
If there’s a chance you might carry the gene for spinal muscular atrophy, you can take screening tests before you try to have a baby or when you are pregnant.
- Diagnosing Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Spinal muscular atrophy is usually diagnosed with a simple blood test. If genetic testing isn’t able to confirm SMA, there are other ways to see if your child has this disease that makes muscles weak.
- What Is Spinal Muscular Atrophy?
Muscle weakness could be a sign of spinal muscular atrophy, which can strike all ages but is the No. 1 genetic cause of death in infants. Here's what it is and what you can do about it.
- Symptoms of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
If you have spinal muscular atrophy, the symptoms you have depend on the type of the disorder you have. Learn more.
- What to Know About Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Leaks
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounds and protects your brain and spinal cord. It’s held in place by a layer called the dura mater. A hole or a tear in the dura mater can lead to a CSF leak.
- Types of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Spinal muscular atrophy is sorted into types, depending on the age and development milestones reached when symptoms first start.
- Management and Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
There’s no cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) yet. But if you or someone you love has SMA, treatment options are available. Learn more.
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy Progression: What to Know
How your spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) changes over time depends on many things. Learn what you can expect.
- Your Spinal Muscular Atrophy Care Team
If you or your child has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a team of many different medical professionals can help you manage your symptoms.
- Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
Find out what happens when you have a nervous system disease called multiple system atrophy (MSA) and learn how to manage the symptoms.
- What Is Encephalopathy?
Encephalopathy happens when a change in your body or your brain affects how well you think. Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments.
- Types of Paralysis
Find out about the many different types of paralysis (when you can’t move parts of your body after something goes wrong with their connection to your brain).
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Nerve problems can be hard to pin down. Learn about a possible cause of pain, numbness and tingling in your arms and hands: thoracic outlet syndrome.
- Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a buildup of fluid in your brain. Learn more about its causes, symptoms, and treatments.
- Top Exercises for the Right Brain
Exercising your right brain can reduce anxiety and help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Learn the best exercises for your right brain, where to start, and how to flex your mind.
- Synesthesia
When you hear a word or a name, do you see a color? Do you see shapes when music plays? You may have a rare condition called synesthesia. Learn about what happens and what causes it.
- What Is Empty Sella Syndrome?
Empty sella syndrome affects the pituitary gland but may not cause symptoms. Learn more about the condition, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
- Conditions That Cause Sudden Confusion
If a loved one is suddenly acting confused, you need to get help right away. Learn what causes sudden confusion and how it’s treated.
- What Is a Cranial Ultrasound?
Learn about cranial ultrasound, which can see inside your baby’s brain.
- What Is the Dix-Hallpike Test for Vertigo?
If you are feeling dizzy constantly, your doctor may perform a Dix-Hallpike Test in order to perform a vertigo diagnosis. Learn more about the examination and what the results mean.
- What Is Mal de Debarquement Syndrome?
If you’ve been back from a cruise for weeks, but still feel like you’re rocking and swaying, you might have mal de debarquement syndrome. Learn what causes it, what the symptoms are, and how it’s treated.
- Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
You can get Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome when you don’t have enough vitamin B1. Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments for this disease.
- CTE: Football’s Growing Medical Crisis
A landmark 2017 study by Boston University researchers found that the brains of 110 of 111 deceased NFL players they examined showed signs of CTE.
- What Is Your Nervous System?
Everything you think, feel, and do is controlled by your nervous system. Learn how it works and what kinds of things can go wrong.
- Complications From Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Since SMA destroys motor neurons and weakens your muscles, people with SMA can have complications. Learn what they are.
- What Is Bow Hunter’s Syndrome?
Neck pain or an injury can leave you feeling dizzy. This condition, known as bow hunter’s syndrome or rotational vertebral artery syndrome, makes you feel faint or dizzy when you turn your head.
- What Is Pseudotumor Cerebri?
Pseudotumor cerebri feels like a brain tumor, but it isn't. Learn what to do if you have the symptoms.
- What Is Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response?
Does a whisper in your ear or the sight of someone folding towels make your scalp tingle? You might have autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR).
- Why Am I Seeing Things That Aren’t Really There?
When you see something that’s not really there, it can be scary, but there’s usually a clear reason for it. Learn what can cause these visual hallucinations, how your doctor will test for them, and what kind of treatment you might need.
- Primary Periodic Paralysis
Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments for this group of rare diseases that make muscles weak or unable to move.
- What to Know About Monoparesis
Find out what you need to know about monoparesis and how it differs from other forms of paresis. Learn about its symptoms and how to manage it.
- What to Know About Gamma Brain Waves
Find out what you need to know about gamma brain waves, and discover what they are and how they may affect health.
- What to Know About Amnesia
Find out what you need to know about amnesia, discover the different types, causes, and treatments.
- What Is Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP)?
Learn about increased intracranial pressure, including symptoms, causes, and when to call a doctor.
- What Is a Hemangioblastoma?
Hemangioblastoma is a benign brain tumor. Learn about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and more.
- What Is Powassan?
Powassan is a tick-borne illness that causes swelling in the brain and spinal cord. It used to be rare, but cases could be on the rise.
- What Is Adrenoleukodystrophy?
This rare brain disease mostly affects boys and young men. Knowing the symptoms and starting treatment early are crucial.
- Cerebrospinal Fluid
The liquid that protects your brain can give your doctor some powerful clues.
- What Is Parosmia?
Parosmia is a condition in which your sense of smell is distorted.
- Hyperacusis
If you're very sensitive to certain everyday sounds, you may have a condition called hyperacusis. Learn more about this hearing disorder and how to get help.
- What Are Vestibular Disorders?
If you have vertigo or trouble hearing, your body’s balance system might be off kilter.
- Home Remedies for Vertigo
The spinning sensation and dizziness you get from vertigo can limit your activities and make you feel sick. Learn some simple maneuvers you can do at home that might bring relief, depending on the cause.
- Brain Aneurysms: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
A brain aneurysm is a bulge that forms in the blood vessel of your brain that could lead to severe health issues and possibly death. But most brain aneurysms don’t show any symptoms and only a small percentage of them result in health problems.