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5 Types of Headaches
There are five main types of headaches including migraines, cluster headaches, tension headaches, sinus headaches, and mixed headaches. Knowing what kind of headache you have is the first step in identifying how to get rid of a headache. There are several treatments for headaches depending on the type of headache you have and your headache triggers. The worst headache of your life could signal a medical emergency and you should seek immediate evaluation. -
Understanding Antidepressant Medications
There are many types of depression such as clinical depression, major depression, seasonal affective depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. There are a variety of depression medications, and their effectiveness may vary from patient to patient. Examples of the types of depression medications include atypical antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Side effects, drug interactions, and warnings and precautions should be reviewed prior to taking any medication. -
Anxiety
Anxiety as a medical condition is characterized by worry, fear, nervousness, shortness of breath, sleep problems and other symptoms. Diarrhea, tremors, and rapid heart rate are some physical symptoms of severe anxiety, which may arise from a mental or physical condition, drug use, or some combination of these causes. Treatment can include medication and psychotherapy. -
Anatomy of the Central Nervous System
The central nervous system (CNS) is the part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord. There are two types or divisions of the nervous system. The CNS and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS connects the CNS to sensory organs, other organs of the body, glands, muscles, and blood vessels. The peripheral nerves include the 12 cranial nerves, spinal nerves and roots, autonomic nerves (the nerves that regulate the heart muscle, glands), and the blood vessel walls. -
Depression Health
Depression is a mental illness that affects 19 million Americans annually. Causes are genetic, environmental, and biological. Symptoms and signs include weight loss, fatigue, crying spells, feeling sad, isolation from family and friends, and thoughts of death or suicide. Treatment may include psychotherapy and medication. -
Dementia Overview
Dementia is the loss of reasoning, memory, and other mental abilities. Dementia may be caused by irreversible causes such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's dementia, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia. There are also treatable causes of dementia such as infections, head injury, normal hydrocephalus, and metabolic and hormonal disorders. Early symptoms of dementia include forgetting appointments and names, losing things, difficulties performing familiar tasks (driving, cooking, household chores), personality changes, mood swings, paranoia, and suspiciousness. There are 7 types of dementia. A variety of tests (blood tests, scans, assessment of family history) may be used to diagnose dementia. Treatment may include medication and behavioral therapy. -
Dementia Medication Overview
There is no good way to treat the progressive condition of dementia, but several different classes of medications can improve the symptoms and slow the patient's decline, especially if paired with diet and lifestyle changes. Drug classes include acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, N-methyl-D-aspartate blockers, and experimental amyloid deposit inhibitors. Antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs can help with problematic behavioral changes. -
Depression Symptoms and Signs
Some of the symptoms and signs of depression include suicidal thoughts, hopelessness, and sadness. Get more information about the different types of depression and their various signs and symptoms. -
Disorders That Disrupt Sleep (Parasomnias)
Parasomnias are sleep problems that significantly disrupt the lives of those who suffer them. Parasomnias include speech and movements during sleep, sleep walking, night terrors, sleep paralysis , and abnomalities in the natural stages of sleep, among other problems. These problems are diagnosed through polysomnography (sleep testing), and can be treated with a combination of medications, sleep hygiene depending on the particular disorder. -
Dizziness
Dizziness may be a minor problem, or could be something life-threatening. Causes of dizziness include high blood pressure, low blood pressure, heart problems, conditions of the brain, medications, metabolic conditions, aging, other illnesses or conditions, or psychiatric conditions. Treatment depends upon the cause of the dizziness. -
Dysphagia (Swallowing Problems)
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) has many causes. Dysphagia can be caused by diseases of the brain, diseases or conditions that affect muscle function, diseases of the esophagus, or obstructions of the upper digestive tract and esophagus. Symptoms of dysphagia generally is a mild to severe form of difficulty swallowing. Treatment of dysphagia depends on the cause. -
Exercise
Exercise has been shown to reduce one's risk of heart disease, diabetes, colon and breast cancer, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce depression and anxiety. The Surgeon General recommends accumulating 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis. -
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common health complaint by individuals. Fatigue is also referred to as feeling weary, tired, exhausted, lethargic, and a lack of energy. There are several causes of fatigue from sleep disturbances to some diseases or conditions. Treatment of fatigue is generally directed toward the condition or disease causing fatigue. -
Incontinence FAQs
Get answers to frequently asked questions about urinary incontinence types, causes, health factors, symptoms, tests, treatment, and exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. -
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a scanner that takes cross-sectional images of the body. It is used to evaluate tissues of the head, neck, chest, limbs, abdomen, and pelvis. MRI is a very safe procedure; sedation may be used for infants, small children, or adults who are claustrophobic. -
Possible Early Dementia
Dementia is marked decline in brain function that affects memory, thought processes and speech. Alzheimer's disease is a major cause, but many other different factors can cause permanent or reversible dementia. Dementia should be distinguished from the benign age-related forgetfulness many experience, which only superficially affects daily life. Mild cognitive impairment is a memory-loss state more significant than age-related senescence describe above, but less severe than Alzheimer's. -
Motor Skills Disorder
Motor skills disorder (motor coordination disorder or motor dyspraxia) is a common childhood disorder of childhood that results in difficulty in processing visuospatial information needed to guide motor activity. Cause is unknown; it is often associated with physiological or developmental abnormalities such as prematurity, developmental disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and learning disorders. Symptoms vary and depend on the age of the child. Treatment includes screening for conditions such as speech and language disorders, Tourette's syndrome, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders. -
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disorders caus disruption in the REM stage of sleep. In such disorders, the REM is deficient or absent, along with the normal paralysis that goes with it. This allows the sufferer to act out his dreams, often causing injury. REM sleep disorder can be a side effect of medication or a symptom of a serious neurological disease. Clonazepam and tricyclic antidepressants have proved effective in treating REM sleep disorders. -
Sleep: Understanding the Basics
Sleep is defined as a state of unconsciousness from which a person can be aroused. In this state, the brain is relatively more responsive to internal stimuli than external stimuli. Sleep deprivation has many deleterious effects on the body. Sleep apnea and sleep paralysis are two common kinds of sleep disorders. Several activities can help one to fall asleep fast. -
Sleeplessness and Circadian Rhythm Disorder
A person's circadian rhythm is an internal biological clock that regulates a variety of biological processes according to an approximate 24-hour period. A disorder of the circadian rhythm may cause sleeplessness on at transient or chronic basis. The disorder can be caused by air travel across time zones, shift work, irregular sleep-wake cycle, delayed sleep phase syndrome, and advanced sleep-phase syndrome. -
SSRIs and Depression
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are antidepressants that affect serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical neurotransmitter. Side effects may include rash, low blood sugar, drowsiness, photosensitivity, and kidney or liver impairment. SSRI side effects include withdrawal-like symptoms in newborns, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and delayed ejaculation in men, photosensitivity (increased risk of sunburn), rash, low blood sodium levels, low blood sugar levels, drowsiness, and kidney or liver impairment. -
Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is when there's an involuntary loss of urine. There are many types of incontinence, including urge incontinence (overactive bladder), mixed incontinence, reflex incontinence, and stress incontinence. Potential causes of incontinence include overactive bladder muscles, weak bladder muscles, blockage of urine flow, and nerve damage. Treatment may involve dietary changes and exercise, including Kegel exercises and using vaginal weights.
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Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) has many causes. Dysphagia can be caused by diseases of the brain, diseases or conditions that affect muscle function, diseases of the esophagus, or obstructions of the upper digestive tract and esophagus. Symptoms of dysphagia generally is a mild to severe form of difficulty swallowing. Treatment of dysphagia depends on the cause.
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Topic Guide - Visuals
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Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:

Ropinirole has some of the same effects as a chemical called dopamine, which occurs naturally in your body. Low levels of dopamine in the brain are associate...learn more »

Pramipexole has some of the same effects as a chemical called dopamine, which occurs naturally in your body. Low levels of dopamine in the brain are associat...learn more »

Sertraline is an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Sertraline affects chemicals in the brain that m...learn more »

Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. Imipramine affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression...learn more »

Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressant. Fluoxetine affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people wi...learn more »

Carbidopa is used with another medicine called levodopa to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (stiffness, tremors, spasms, poor muscle control). Symp...learn more »

This medication guide provides information about the Cycloset brand of bromocriptine. Parlodel is another brand of bromocriptine that is not c...learn more »

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. Amitriptyline affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression...learn more »

Bupropion is an antidepressant used to treat major depressive disorder and seasonal affective disorder. The Zyban brand of bupropion is used to help ...learn more »