~What is Cervical Spondylosis?~

With age comes deterioration of both bone and cartilage. When this occurs in the cervical spine it is known as Cervical Spondylosis. Cervical Spondylosis is seen in both men and women after the age of 40. Though not really age specific, it is more frequently seen in men before women. Cervical Spondylosis is simply a result of every day wear and tear.

~Symptoms~

Nerve damage can occur with the lose of bone density and compression of vertebrae. With cervical spondylosis, common symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, tingling, numbness, and pain traveling to the arms, hands and feet. It can also cause unusual refexes and coordination difficulties.

~Treatment~

For milder cases of cervical spondylosis patients may be prescribed anti-inflammatories, excercises, or steroid injections to help with the pain. More severe cases will require surgery to open the disk space.

Information from MayoClinic.com & image from http://www.arc.org.uk/arthinfo/patpubs/6024/images/6024_2.gif

~What is Carotid Artery Disease?~

Your left carotid artery originates off of your aortic arch and your right carotid artery originates off of your brachiocephalic artery. The purpose of these two arteries is to carry oxygenated blood to your head and brain. Atherosclerosis is when these arteries slowly become clogged with plaque and begin to harden; this is when problems arise. With the narrowing of these arteries adequate blood flow does not reach the head and brain causing a stroke. Carotid Artery Disease is when this process takes place. It is dependent upon age, smoking, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and the amount of physical activity the person does.

~Symptoms~

With Carotid Artery Disease symptoms are going to be dependent upon the percentage of blockage in the carotid artery. Symptoms are those that go along with strokes and TIAs. The patient may experience numbness, weakness, vision problems, and speech difficulties.

~Treatments~

When treating a Carotid Artery blockage there are a few different options but the goal is always the same...to prevent a stroke. Your doctor may have you change your lifestyle. Ex. weight lose, quitting smoking, healthier food options, exercise, etc. Medications can be prescribed to break up the clot or blood thinners to prevent more blockage. If these do not work, surgery is an option. Endarterectomy and stent placement are the two most common treatments for a blocked carotid artery.

Information from MayoClinic.com & image from http://www.virchicago.com/images/carotid-before-after.jpg

~What is Sjogren's Syndrome?~

Sjogren's syndrome is a disease where your immune system is not working correctly. Your healthy tissue is being attacked by your immune system for no apparent reason. Sjogren's syndrome is not age specific though diagnosis are done after age 40. Women seem to be effected more often than men.

~Symptoms~

With Sjogren's syndrome the individual will experience dry eyes and a dry mouth. A lot of the symptoms are misdiagnosed due to the fact that they resemble so many other pathologies. Other symptoms include fatigue, dental cavities, difficulty swallowing, taste change, hoarseness, and joint pain just to mention a few.

~Treatments~

As with any abnormality is best to consult a doctor prior to taking major medications. With Sjogen's syndrome it is best to look at current medications you are on in order to insure that these are not causing your problems and symptoms. Medications such as NSAIDs and corticosteroids may be taken to reduce pain and inflammation. Surgery is an option to seal off tear ducts and help the dry eyes.

Information from MayoClinic.com & image from http://download.imaging.consult.com/ic/images/S1933033207755428/gr8-midi.jpg

~What is Arteriovenous Malformation?~

Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) is the abnormal collection and tangle of blood vessels in the brain. Though present at birth, it is not hereditary. AVM is not dependent on race or sex. Strokelike symptoms can be experienced with AVMs because the brain is not able to get teh oxygen from the blood that it normally would.

~Symptoms~

Symptoms leading to the diagnosis of AVM vary with each person. Seizures and headaches are common symptoms with AVMs. Symptoms usually do not appear until people are well into their 30s. Sometimes AVMs are not even diagnosed until a person is elderly or even after death. AVMs can be diagnosed via a CT or an MRI examination of the vessels in the brain.

~Treatments~

Arteriovenous malformaitons can be treated with embolization, radiation, or surgery. Embolization, stopping up the vessel, is said to be the safest and most effective treatment for AVMs.

Information from MayoClinic.com & http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/cerebro/AVM.html and image from http://content.revolutionhealth.com/contentimages/images-image_popup-ans7_avm.jpg

~What is Chronic Sinusitis?~

Chronic Sinusitis is a recurrent inflammation of the sinuses. It is a sinus infection that never seems to go away. With chronic sinusitis a persons sinuses are swollen and inflamed with drainage and mucus build-up.

~Symptoms~

With chronic sinusitis you may have headaches and facial pain. Swelling around the eyes may be experienced. Drainage and trouble breathing are also symptoms of recurrent sinus infections. And bad breath, sore throat, and ear pain are some more common symptoms.

~Treatments~

Chronic sinusitis is similar to an acute sinus infection but last much longer and you never seem to completely get rid of it. Treatments vary and may include nasal sprays, antibiotics, corticosteroids (oral, nasal, or injected) as well as over the counter sinus medications and decongestants. Allergy shots may be given if the chronic sinusitis is allergy related. And, if symptoms continue and do not seem to react to medication, surgery may be an option.

Information from MayoClinic.com and image from http://www.drpaulose.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/sinusitis1.jpg

~What is Orbital Cellulitis?~

As we all know, -itis mean inflammation; therefore, orbital cellulitis is the inflammation or infection of the tissue around the eye. This includes a persons cheek, eyelid, and eyebrow. Occuring usually in children under the age of 8, orbital cellulitis is uaually a result of bacteria from a sinus infection. But, it can also come from bug bites or previous eye injuries.

~Symptoms~

With orbital cellulitis children will get a fever of 102*F or above, experience pain and swelling of the tissues around the eye, pain with eye movement, and altered vision. Visible redness and shininess of the area surrounding the eye is seen as well.

~Treatment~

It is important to be on top of orbital cellulitis because if untreated it could result in blindness. Treatment includes admitting the child into the hospital for observation and giving antibiotics for the inflammation, via an IV. With severe orbital cellulitis surgery may be needed to drain the infection from around the eye.

Information from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001012.htm & images from http://www.djo.harvard.edu/files/2704_324.jpg & https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4iViuB4QM8Ix9azFJlevY0lVrM24LbfQFsx2buJ2YQwlfTRgnoCRMv-sQpBwmm1dN69_uPZbJaac2YnIKXMvNEIA3wue6Dq60XlLTkyhwrmYwJH_Yqe9FSpKs3uJOCF_rzAg18XYHTJNP/s320/orbital+cellulitis.jpg

~What is Empty Sella Syndrome?~

Empty sella syndrome (ESS) is when the sellar space, which houses the pituitary, becomes filled with fluid. Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) begins to fill the space and compress the pituitary gland.

~Symptoms~

People with empty sella syndrome may not even have signs or experience anything abnormal. Typically pituitary function remains normal. However, people with empty sella syndrome may experience headaches, problems with their vision, obesity, irregular periods, or unusual facial features just to mention a few.

~Treatments~

As with any disease, people are affected differently and require various different treatments. With empty sella syndrome an individual may not even realize they have it. And, it could even be an accidental finding when undergoing an x-ray, MRI, or CT of the head area. Most often found during MRIs, treatments are symptomatic depending on the individual and the severity of their symptoms. And, rarely surgery may be done.

Information from http://www.pituitary.org/disorders/empty_sella_syndrome.aspx & image from http://www.ihrfoundation.org/images/uploads/EmptySella3-copy.jpg

~What is Bell’s Palsy?~
Bell’s Palsy can occur at any age, but is usually seen between the ages of 15 to 60 years young. It is a response to a swollen or compressed facial nerve, aka 7th nerve! Tens of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy each year.

~Symptoms~
With Bell’s Palsy people may experience stroke like symptoms, but if they only affect the face it is more than likely not a stroke but Bell’s Palsy. Symptoms are different for each person but may include stiffness of the face, an odd feeling, drawing or drooping of the face, pain around the ear, taste lose, headaches, or simply paralysis of an individuals face. Symptoms normally begin to get better within a few weeks and total recovery can be expected in six months or less. Reoccurring symptoms happen in 8-10% of those with Bell’s Palsy.

~Treatments~
Medications or physical therapy may be needed for individuals that do not fully recover from Bell’s Palsy. Corticosteroids and antiviral medications are the two types normally prescribed for Bell’s Palsy. These anti-inflammatory drugs are used to decrease the swelling of the facial nerves therefore minimizing the symptoms if not eliminating them completely. Physical therapy may be used to prevent tightening of the paralyzed muscles. And, surgery can be done to open the bony spaces that the nerves pass through, if none of the others work.

Information from MayoClinic.com and image from http://www.wondersprouts.com/bells-palsy-picture.JPG & http://www.ispub.com/xml/journals/ijorl/vol4n2/herpes-fig3.jpg

~What is Meningioma?~

Surrounding each of our brains and spinal cords are membranes we like to call meninges, and the cancer that stims from these meninges is called meningioma. Most often times found in women around and after age 40, it is not 100% specific to that age or gender. Meningioma is rarly malignant; it is most often times benign. However, either is potentially harmful due to the pressure it can put on the brain and spinal cord.

~Symptoms~

Symptoms and their severity are dependent on the size and placement of the meningioma. Patients may experience loss of hearing and memory, seisures, doubled or blurred vision, weakness, and/or headaches. These are very apt to change with each patient.

~Treatments~

Treatments also depend on the size and placement of the meningioma. There is no treatment necessary for small, slow-growing tumors with few to no signs and symptoms. Surgery may be done if symptoms become worse or the tumor size increases. And, radiation therapy may be used to remove any of the tumor not gotten during surgery.

Information from MayoClinic.com & image from www.northshorelij.com