Symptoms

Hemiplegia

· Hemiplegia is the symptom of paralyzed muscle of one half of the body.
· Hemiplegia may result form:
brain tumor
hemorrhagic stroke (hemorrhage, rupture of an artery in the brain)
ischemic stroke (obstructed artery in the brain)
infection localized to one part if the brain or abscess
multiple sclerosis
sarcoidosis
head trauma

Read more – April 17, 2009

Alteplase

· Trade Name
Activase

· Generic Name
ALTEPLASE

· Drug Class
Anticoagulation medication
Thrombolytic medication

· How It Works
Medication converts plasminogen to plasmin which promotes fibrinolysis and dissolves clots

· Serious Side Effects
stroke
intracranial bleeding
bleeding
heart arrhythmias after reperfusion
allergic reations
pulmonary embolism
cholesterol embolism

· Common Side Effects
bleeding

Read more – March 29, 2009

Activase

· Trade Name
ACTIVASE

· Generic Name
Alteplase

· Drug Class
Anticoagulation medication
Thrombolytic medication

· How It Works
Medication converts plasminogen to plasmin which promotes fibrinolysis and dissolves clots

· Serious Side Effects
stroke
intracranial bleeding
bleeding
heart arrhythmias after reperfusion
allergic reations
pulmonary embolism
cholesterol embolism

· Common Side Effects
bleeding

Read more

Can coffee decrease the risk of stroke?

In the past, some have thought that coffee may be bad for you.
It was thought that the stimulant effect of caffeine may increase your risk for stroke and heart attack.
In fact, I have frequently heard from patients that they are concerned about about drinking too much coffee.
When someone is trying to improve their health, not infrequently I will hear a promise to follow a better diet, start an exercise program and decrease the amount of coffee.
Well the latest study in the journal Circulation may be comforting to those of us that do drink a cup or two of java every morning.
The latest study actually showed a statistically significant benefit from drinking up to four cups of coffee daily.
Woman that did follow this habit had a lower risk of stroke.
The benefit was lost if you also smoked.
It seems that there is nothing to offset that bad habit.

Read more – February 25, 2009

Zolmitriptan

· Trade Name
Zomig

· Generic Name
ZOLMITRIPTAN

· Drug Class
Migraine medication

· How It Works
Activates vascular serotonin receptors, producing vasoconstriction (constriction of blood vessels)

· Serious Side Effects
coronary vasospasm
myocardial ischemia
heart attack
ventricular tachycardia
ventricular fibrillation
arrhythmias, life-threatening
hypertension
hypertensive crisis
stroke
cerebral hemorrhage
subarachnoid hemorrhage
peripheral vascular ischemia
bowel ischemia
vision loss
hypersensitivity allergic reaction
serotonin syndrome

· Common Side Effects
nausea
dizziness
paresthesias
neck pain/pressure/tightness
jaw pain/pressure/tightness
somnolence
hot or cold sensation
dry mouth
asthenia
dyspepsia
chest pain/pressure/tightness
sweating

Read more – February 12, 2009

Facial paralysis

• Facial paralysis is the symptom of the loss of strength of muscles in the face.

• Facial paralysis that is isolated to one side of the face can result from:
· stroke
· Bell’s palsy (damage or impaired function of the facial cranial nerve)
· muscle damage
· a sign of multiple sclerosis

• Facial paralysis should be evaluated by your doctor.

Read more – January 5, 2009

Facial weakness

• Facial weakness is the symptom of the loss of strength of muscles in the face.

• Facial weakness that is isolated to one side of the face can result from:
· stroke
· Bell’s palsy (damage or impaired function of the facial cranial nerve)
· muscle damage
· a sign of multiple sclerosis

• Facial weakness should be evaluated by your doctor.

Read more

Coordination problems

• Coordination problems are symptoms of clumsy movements.

• Coordination problems can be a symptom of disease or stroke of the brainstem or cerebellum.

• Coordination problems can be a sign or deficiencies in vitamins such as B12, thiamine, folate.

• Coordination problems that persist or worsen should be evaluated by your doctor.

Read more – December 12, 2008

Cardiac arrest

• Cardiac arrest is the disorder of the heart stopping and the collapse of heart function leading to biologic death.

• Cardiac arrest is:
· Asystole: the heart stops beating.
· Ventricular Fibrillation: the heart muscle contracts in an uncoordinated fashion such that blood does not move forward.
· Pulseless Electricle Activity: normal heart electrical activity but no heart muscle contraction.

Read more – December 1, 2008

Ataxia

• Ataxia is the symptom of clumsiness or uncoordinated muscle movements.

• Ataxia also described the loss in coordination while walking

• Ataxia can be a sign of brain cerebellar dysfunction or stroke.

• Ataxia is a typical sign of intoxication with alcohol.s

• Ataxia can also result from deficiencies in vitamin B12, hypothyroidism, low blood sodium levels,and multiple sclerosis

• Ataxia should be evaluated by your doctor

Read more – November 18, 2008