Medical Blog

What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
MS is a neurological disease that occurs when the insulating material (”myelin”) around nerve cells in the central nervous system is damaged. The word sclerosis comes from the Greek word “skleros,” meaning hard. In multiple sclerosis, hard areas called “plaques” develop along a neuron’s axon. “Multiple” refers to the many different areas of the nervous system that may have damaged myelin. People with MS can experience symptoms such as difficulties in walking, visual problems, and pain. Read more…

Types of Epilepsy
There are many types of epilepsy. Each type of epilepsy has different behavioral effects and is treated with different methods. In some cases, people know they are about to have a seizure because they see or hear something, or feel dizzy, nauseous, or “strange.” This is called an aura. An aura can act as an “early warning system” telling a person that a seizure is about to happen. The person can therefore minimize a possible injury by taking precautions such as sitting down. Read more…

Meningitis

Introduction

(For Brain Infections, see Brain Infections.)

Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges of the brain or spinal cord. It is often infectious and is one of the most common CNS infections. Sometimes inflammation involves both the meninges and brain parenchyma (meningoencephalitis). Meningitis may become evident over hours or days (acute) or a longer period (subacute or chronic). Read more…