Neuroblastoma - An Overview

Neuroblastoma is a rare cancerous tumor that grows from immature nerve cells usually in the abdominal area. It is most common in infants and children, but can also occur in adults. This cancer usually grows in cells of the nervous system but also may grow in the cells of the adrenal glands, which produce and release adrenaline and cortisone. Neuroblastoma may be present at birth but also may be detected later, usually before the age of 5 and very rarely after age 10.

Immature nerve cells called neuroblasts vary in their development. Neuroblasts that do not develop into functioning nerve cells may die with no trace, develop into a benign tumor or become a malignant tumor. The cause for most neuroblastomas is unknown, although a tiny percentage run in families.

Most neuroblastomas do not produce symptoms early in their development. Consequently, they are not diagnosed until they have spread (metastasized) and begin to produce symptoms. Signs and symptoms of neuroblastoma can be related to the site of the metastasis, such as an abdominal mass, bone pain or difficulty moving or paralysis. Neuroblastomas in the adrenal glands can cause the release of hormones from the cancer cells and produce high blood pressure and a rapid heart beat.

A neuroblastoma mass is often discovered during a routine physical examination or in an x-ray taken to diagnose an unrelated condition. Cells from the tumor are analyzed by a pathologist and the cancer is staged, which will determine the severity and spread of the cancer. The information is combined with the age of the child, DNA factors, cell type, rate of growth and spread to determine the patient’s treatment and prognosis.

There is no known prevention method for neuroblastoma, and usually detection before symptoms appear is not possible.

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Lou Gehrig’s disease - An Overview

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurological condition that causes gradual loss of mobility in affected patients. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the famous baseball player who died from the disease in 1941. Patients with ALS typically die from respiratory failure within three to five years of diagnosis.

ALS is characterized by the degradation and eventual death of motor neurons. These nerve cells transmit signals from the brain to the muscles involved in movement. Without the nerve signals, the muscles stop functioning and begin to waste away (atrophy). A patient is likely to experience muscle weakness that gradually progresses to complete loss of movement (paralysis). Most patients experience the first symptoms after the age of 40.Anyone can develop ALS, but it is a rare condition.

The cause of most cases of ALS is unknown. Between 90 and 95 percent of patients have no family history of the disease. Of the remaining patients with ALS, approximately 20 percent of cases have been linked to a mutation in the SOD1 gene. It is thought that this mutation affects the way in which certain harmful elements are processed in the body, causing them to build up and consequently damage motor neurons. The disease may also be related to glutamate, a neurotransmitter that has been found in high levels in ALS patients.

ALS progresses slowly and its symptoms may not be noticed for some time. Symptoms are likely to include muscle weakness or twitching, slurred and/or nasal speech, and difficulty with chewing and swallowing. Patients are likely to trip more often and lose strength in their hands, which can affect fine motor skills, such as buttoning clothes and other such activities of daily living.

The diagnosis of ALS is usually based on the presence of symptoms. A family history of the disease accompanied by signs and symptoms is a strong indication of ALS. A physician may perform tests to exclude other possible causes of muscle weakness. These tests may include electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction velocity (NCV) studies and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Some tests may be repeated over time to monitor disease is progression.

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Movement Disorders and It's Tremors

"Spinocerebellar Atrophy" is more commonly referred to as "Cerebellar Degeneration" in the medical community.A disease process in which neurons in the cerebellum (the area of the brain that controls coordination and balance) deteriorate and die. It may also affect the brain stem, medulla oblongata and cerebral cortex.

Movement disorders are neurological conditions that prevent patients from controlling their muscles and, therefore, their movements. Some patients experience facial tics or trembling hands while others will uncontrollably flail one or more limbs. Conversely, some patients with movement disorders are unable to move a limb despite their intentions.

Most movement disorders involve the voluntary muscles, which a person controls through conscious thought. Conscious movement requires complex processes involving neurons (nerve cells) in several parts of the brain, spinal cord and muscles. A movement disorder may occur if the communication between any of these parts is slowed, disrupted or blocked. This can result from a number of causes, including physical injuries (e.g., head injury, spinal cord injury, stroke), genetic mutations and infections.

There are dozens of types of movement disorders. Some of the most common are Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. Both cause uncontrollable shaking, but Parkinson’s disease is also associated with severe complications. Patients may also have one of the many tic disorders (e.g., Tourette syndrome), which cause uncontrollable muscle and vocal spasms. Other examples of movement disorders include Bell’s palsy, Huntington’s disease and locked-in syndrome.

Several, somewhat distinct, types of movements help characterize most movement disorders. Exaggerated or uncontrollable movements are termed hyperkinetic. They may be rapid (e.g., tics, hemiballismus) or slow and rhythmic (e.g., athetosis, dystonia). Other movements are hypokinetic, which are delayed or absent (e.g., paralysis, ataxia).

The diagnosis of a movement disorder can be complex. This is because the nervous system is a complicated and multifaceted system that is not completely understood. Diagnosis will likely require eliminating other possible disorders that could cause similar signs and symptoms. Because diagnosis is often complicated, the process may require visiting several specialists in neurological and muscular diseases, in addition to the patient’s primary care physician.

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Meningitis - It's Meaning

Spinal Meningitis is the lay term for meningitis caused by the "meningococcus," Neiserria meningitidis. Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. People sometimes refer to it as spinal meningitis. Meningitis affects both the brain and spinal cord at the same time. You can't have JUST spinal meningitis – you simply have meningitis. Therefore, spinal meningitis and regular meningitis are one and the same.
It is an inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord due to bacterial or viral infection, and may be life threatening. Many types of bacteria can cause the illness, but immunisation introduced over recent years against the more common strains has been very effective in reducing the incidence of the disease.

Should anyone, of any age, show some of the signs and need to be seen by a doctor, it may be quicker and better for the patient to take him directly to a surgery than to wait for a home visit.

Many people reading this list may be aware that meningitis can be associated with a reddish-purple rash that doesn't disappear when a clear glass is pressed over it. The rash does not occur in every case of meningitis and when it does, it is usually a late sign. It is not necessary to have a rash to make the diagnosis.

• There are many forms of meningitis. If diagnosed early enough, most people with meningitis make a complete recovery with the help of antibiotics. Sometimes, artificial ventilation using a machine that helps a person breathe normally is necessary for a while. If the disease is identified too late it may be fatal.
• Viral meningitis usually follows a viral illness such as chickenpox or mumps. Often general nursing care, rest and (occasionally) antiviral drugs may be needed.
• There is no doubt that in this illness prevention is better than cure, as the illness mimics many others. Delayed treatment can result in death or permanent brain damage.

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What is Cervical Spine Surgery?

The goal of cervical spine surgery is to relieve pain, numbness, tingling and weakness, restore nerve function and stop or prevent abnormal motion in the spine. Your surgeon does this by removing a disc or a bone and fusing the vertebrae together with a bone graft either in front of or behind the spine. The bone graft may be one of two types: an autograft (bone taken from your body) or an allograft (bone from a bone bank). Sometimes metal plates, screws or wires are also used to further stabilize the spine. These techniques are called instrumentation. When the vertebrae have been surgically stabilized, abnormal motion is stopped and function is restored to the spinal nerves.
Reasons :
Cervical spine surgery may be indicated for a variety of cervical spine problems. Generally, surgery may be performed for degenerative disorders, trauma or instability. These conditions may produce pressure on the spinal cord or on the nerves coming from the spine.

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Lumbar Spine Surgery - An Overview

Lumbar spinal surgery is done while the patient is under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). An incision is made over the troubled area. The bone that curves around and covers the spinal cord (lamina) is removed (laminectomy) and the tissue that is causing pressure on the nerve or spinal cord is removed.

The hole through which the nerve passes may be enlarged to prevent further pressure on the nerve. Sometimes, spinal fusion is necessary to stabilize the area.

Indications:

Symptoms of lumbar spine problems include:

• Pain that extends (radiates) from the back to the buttocks or back of thigh
• Pain that interferes with daily activities
• Weakness of legs or feet
• Numbness of legs, feet, or toes
• Loss of bowel or bladder control

If you are experiencing numbness in your groin region and problems with urinary or bowel control, contact your health care provider immediately. This could indicate cauda equina syndrome, which must be addressed as soon as possible.

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Overview on Lumbar Spinal Surgery

Lumbar spinal surgery is used to correct problems with the spinal bones (vertebrae), disks, or nerves of the lower back (lumbar spine).

The spine consists of bones (vertebrae) separated by soft cushions (disks). Pressure on the nerves that branch off the spinal cord can produce pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Lumbar spinal surgery is done while you are under general anesthesia (unconscious and pain-free). A surgical cut is made over the area of the problem. The bone that curves around and covers the spinal cord and the tissue that presses on the nerve or spinal cord are removed.

The hole through which the nerve passes may be widened to prevent further pressure on the nerve. Sometimes, spinal fusion is necessary to stabilize the area.

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Spinal cord stimulation for low back pain

Spinal cord stimulation is a procedure that uses an electrical current to treat chronic pain. To treat chronic low back pain, a small pulse generator, implanted in the back, transmits electrical pulses to the spinal cord. These pulses interfere with the nerve impulses responsible for leg pain due to nerve damage (sciatica).

Implanting the stimulator is considered to be a simple procedure, typically done using a local anesthetic and a sedative. Your doctor usually will first implant a trial stimulator under the skin (percutaneously) to give the treatment a trial run. (A percutaneous stimulator tends to move from its original location, so it is considered temporary.) After a successful trial, your doctor can implant a more permanent stimulator. The stimulator itself is implanted under the skin of the belly (abdomen), and the small coated wires (leads) are inserted under the skin to the point where they are inserted into the spinal canal. This placement in the abdomen is a more stable, effective location. Most stimulator batteries must be replaced every 2 to 5 years.

When in use, the spinal cord stimulator creates a tingling feeling, rather than the pain you have felt in the past.

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Advantages of Minimal Spine Surgery

The major source for outgoing information from brain to all other parts of body is none other than spinal cord which is very sensitive when compared to other sensory organs. Spinal cord injury is of two type’s namely complete and partial spinal cord injuries. No sensation in the body functioning at the point of injury is termed as complete spinal cord injury, whereas sensation in the body functioning at the point of injury is termed as partial spinal cord injury.

The main symptom for spinal cord injury is significant swelling. Minimal invasive spine surgery is the most popular surgery which makes use of very small incisions, less normal tissue damage, minimal muscle retraction and targeted treatment for pathology. Long term safety for spinal cord injuries is provided by one and only perfect healthcare hospitals known as Fortis Healthcare hospitals. Care is provided at Fortis Healthcare such that patient can have the capability of getting strength back in a fast manner.
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Fast Recovery Services for Spinal Cord Injury

An unexpected spinal cord injury can be due to the distressing drive to the spine that displaces vertebrae. The spinal cord injury is more probable to cause breakage of the vertebrae which demolishes the axons. Axons are the extension of nerve cells that carry signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

Spinal cord injuries can be of two types that are complete or incomplete. People who are affected with incomplete spinal cord injury will preserve some of their sensory function where as in complete spinal cord injury total sensory function will not work.

Treatment for spinal cord injuries is provided with great care and attention for complete improvement at Fortis Healthcare which is one among the best hospital in India.

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Low Cost Spinal Surgery in India

Common reasons to see a doctor is severe back pain and spinal pain. Many people experience back pain and some are good enough to get cured away by natural treatments, but some patients require spinal surgery, only in severe cases. Consulting to a spinal surgeon is now becoming a major problem among public, as they fear that if they are dignoised with spinal pain then do they really need a spinal surgery.

Spinal surgeons diagnoises problems affiliated to neck pain, back pain and mid back pain treatments. Spinal surgeons at Fortis healthcare hospitals always support a helpful hand to your spinal problems. The hospital has one of the best renowed spinal surgeons, who applies latest innovative techniques like the Minimally invasive spinal surgery, which is performed under general anesthesia.

The hospital also provides imaging services like EEG, EMG, Functional MRI along with other services. After the surgery there is less pain and also chances of failed back syndrome are also less.

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Treatment Options for Spinal (Back) Pain

A sudden pain in the back due to continuous working and busy schedules might make a person suffer from spinal cord disorder. It is necessary to take more care for your spine as it might get out of shape in the body and might increase the pain. Many patients still have a misconception that spinal surgery is very dangerous and doesnot yield any results.

If a patients undergoes a treatment for the spinal disorder, then it should be either a confirmation from the spinal surgeon or otherwise it's not recommended strictly. A patient should be mentally and physically ready to undergo spine treatment. Its always necessary to consult the doctor for the spinal surgery as otherwise there will be many complications and potential risks involved as your doctor can only judge you whether you are a suitable candidate or not to undergo spinal surgery.

Spinal doctors at Fortis healthcare hospitals provides excellent medications to undergo spinal surgery treatments and thus within the affordable cost.

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