~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