What is myoclonus? According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, myoclonus “refers to sudden, involuntary jerking of a muscle or group of muscles.” It is a symptom, not a disease, affecting 8.6 people per 100,000 in its more serious presentations. A myoclonic twitch or a myoclonic jerk—when … Read More
The medical issue I’m discussing today is best introduced by a politically incorrect (if not outright unprofessional) encounter between a colleague of mine and a patient of his. It happened a number of years ago; my colleague related the story to me one evening while we were passing around old … Read More
We all dread the day when we hear that the flu is going around—and then start to feel the first strains cropping up somewhere in our body. Every time you sneeze, cough, or feel a tingle in your throat, you wonder, “Is it my turn?” If and when you do … Read More
Here’s the deal: A benign tumor is still a tumor. No, it’s not cancer, but it’s still an abnormal growth that shouldn’t be present in your body. And anything abnormal, including a benign tumor, needs to be monitored, at the very least. Obviously, the diagnosis of a benign tumor is … Read More
You’ll find a little box of baking soda in almost every American pantry or freezer to offset odors. It’s well known among baking enthusiasts, too. How many of us have heard stories about baking soda’s versatility from our mothers and grandmothers? But baking soda can be used for a variety … Read More
Delirium is a medical syndrome—not a disease—in which there is a rapid onset of confusion, altered consciousness, and behavioral changes. Unlike dementia, which shares some of these symptoms, the onset of delirium is usually within hours or days (as opposed to months or years). Delirium is considered a medical emergency. … Read More
A concussion is more than a knock on the head that makes your mind foggy for a while. Research has linked concussion with a greater risk for dementia in older age, while other studies suggest that the concussions many teen athletes sustain while playing sports such as football and ice … Read More
Some people don’t like to take drugs. While it’s definitely not advisable to self-treat for depression without the guidance of your doctor, and you should never, ever stop taking medication for depression against medical advice, there are instances when so-called natural depression remedies may be in order. St. John’s wort, … Read More
Summer is here, with its warm (and sometimes too hot!) weather and the opportunity to spend more time outdoors. It can be great for socialization, exercise, vitamin D levels, mood, and even sleep—if you remember two things that can help you ward off skin cancer, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and … Read More
One of the missions of GOLD COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) involves the stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Before diagnosis, a doctor may suspect COPD in anyone with a history of smoking or exposure to environmental irritants. Characteristic lung problem symptoms that accompany COPD include chronic … Read More
