Health Library
Smog May Shorten Lives of Lung Cancer Patients FRIDAY, Aug. 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Air pollution may shorten the lives of lung cancer patients, a new study suggests. Researchers led by Sandrah Eckel, who's with the department of preventive medicine at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, analyzed data from more than 352,000 people in California who were diagnosed with lung cancer between 1988 and 2009. Higher exposure to the pollutants nitrogen dioxide, ozone and airborne particles...
Smoking Rates Still High in Some Racial Groups, CDC Reports THURSDAY, Aug. 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Despite a lot of progress in getting Americans to stop smoking, some groups still have high smoking rates, a U.S. government study shows. "Even though the overall cigarette smoking rate is declining, disparities remain among racial and ethnic groups and within subgroups," said Bridgette Garrett, associate director for health equity in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Office on Smok...
Some Advanced Kidney Cancer Patients May Postpone Treatment THURSDAY, Aug. 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Not all adults with advanced kidney cancer that has spread require immediate, aggressive treatment, a small new study suggests. "A subset of adults with advanced kidney cancer have slow-growing disease that can be safely managed using active surveillance," explained study lead author Brian Rini, of the Cleveland Clinic's Taussig Cancer Institute. This "watch and wait" approach, instead of active treatm...
Scientists Spot 15 Regions of Human DNA Linked to Depression MONDAY, Aug. 1, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers say they've identified 15 regions of human DNA associated with depression. These regions may contain genes that increase the risk of depression, said the researchers, although the study does not prove these genes cause depression. "Identifying genes that affect risk for a disease is a first step towards understanding the disease biology itself, which gives us targets to aim for in developing...
Summer Days Shouldn't Be Lazy for Kids SATURDAY, July 30, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Kids love the unstructured days of summer, but parents need to be sure children get moving during their summer holidays, a physical education expert says. "I always encourage students to keep active in the summer," Martin Wurmlinger, a physical education teacher at a Los Angeles middle school, said in a news release from the University of California, Los Angeles. "I stress just getting out and finding an activity that kee...
Space Travel May Pose Risks to Heart THURSDAY, July 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Former Apollo astronauts have up to five times the rate of heart-related deaths that their Earth-bound peers do, a new study shows. And researchers suspect that exposure to deep space radiation may be the reason why. "We know very little about the effects of deep space radiation on human health, particularly on the cardiovascular system. This gives us the first glimpse into its adverse effects on humans," said Michael Delp,...
Safer Heads Prevail With New High School Football Rule WEDNESDAY, July 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Concussions are a major risk for high school football players, but new research found that limiting tackling during practices lowered the risk of blows to the head. The investigation looked at the outcome of a statewide regulation restricting full-contact practices to no more than two days a week. After the Michigan High School Athletic Association implemented the rule, head impacts at one school dropped ...
Sharing Drug 'Snorting Straws' Spreads Hepatitis C WEDNESDAY, July 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Sharing straws to snort opioids is a major cause of hepatitis C infection, a new study finds. The sharing of snorting straws could also lead to the transmission of other blood-borne diseases such as HIV, the AIDS-causing virus, the University of Tennessee Medical Center researchers warned. "This is a worldwide issue that needs to be addressed," study leader Dr. Craig Towers, a maternal-fetal medicine speciali...
Study of Teen Brains Offers Clues to Timing of Mental Illness WEDNESDAY, July 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Changes that occur in teens' brains as they mature may help explain why the first signs of mental illness tend to appear during this time, researchers report. British researchers used MRI scans to compare the brain structures of nearly 300 participants who were aged 14 to 24. The scientists discovered that the brain's outer region (cortex) becomes thinner as teens get older. At the same time, they ...
Some Brain Cancer Patients Have Radiation Options: Study TUESDAY, July 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- For some brain cancer patients, pinpoint radiation of tumors, known as stereotactic radiosurgery, appears to do less damage to mental abilities than whole brain radiation, a new study finds. Neither technique cures cancer that has spread to the brain, but both temporarily stop tumors from growing and equally extend survival, researchers said. Stereotactic radiosurgery is nonsurgical radiation that precise...
Scans Not Worthwhile for Most Thyroid Cancers: Study THURSDAY, July 21, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Having scans after treatment does not improve thyroid cancer patients' chances of survival, a new study shows. Researchers from the University of Michigan looked at more than 28,000 patients in the United States who were diagnosed with thyroid cancer between 1998 and 2011. After treatment, 57 percent of the patients had at least one ultrasound, 24 percent had a radioiodine scan and 15 percent had a PET scan ...
Some Pregnant Women Still Travel to Zika-Affected Areas FRIDAY, July 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Despite warnings, an increasing number of pregnant women from New York City are traveling to Zika-affected areas and then getting tested when they come home, the city's health department says. The Zika virus can cause miscarriage and serious birth defects, such as microcephaly, which leads to babies born with small heads and underdeveloped brains. The Zika epidemic has been largely confined so far to Latin ...
Smoke Less, Drink Less? FRIDAY, July 22, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Smokers who try to give up tobacco drink less alcohol than other smokers, a new study suggests. Researchers analyzed survey data from nearly 6,300 smokers in England, including 144 who said they had attempted to quit smoking the week before they were surveyed. Those who tried to quit cigarettes drank less alcohol and were less likely to binge drink than those who did not try to quit. "These results go against the commonly held view that p...
Study: VA Hospitals Compare Favorably to Non-VA Centers WEDNESDAY, July 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- The quality and safety of health care at U.S. Veterans Affairs facilities is comparable to that in non-VA centers, according to researchers. Ongoing concerns about the quality of care provided in VA facilities led the investigators to review 69 studies conducted in the past 10 years. "The results show that, in terms of safety and effectiveness, VA facilities compare favorably with others," said review le...
Sleep Disorders 6 Times Higher Among Veterans WEDNESDAY, July 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Sleep disorders are six times more likely among American military veterans than in the general population, a new study finds. And veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) seem to have the highest rates, the researchers said. The research involved more than 9.7 million veterans treated by the Veterans Health Administration system between 2000 and 2010. The majority (93 percent) of these military service ...
Synthetic Pot Overdoses on the Rise in U.S. THURSDAY, July 14, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Synthetic marijuana is sending increasing numbers of U.S. users to hospitals, researchers report. Sold under the names K2, Spice and others, synthetic marijuana is a combination of chemicals designed to mimic the high of pot. But, it can be two to 100 times more potent, the study authors explained. "Synthetic agents are dangerous. They scare me," said Dr. Scott Krakower, assistant unit chief of psychiatry at Zucker H...
Study Links Severe Head Injury to Parkinson's Risk MONDAY, July 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- A traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness may increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, new research suggests. "It could be that the head injury itself initiates a cascade of effects that ultimately lead to Parkinson disease," said lead researcher Dr. Paul Crane, a professor of medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. Or, Crane added, the head injury may not ca...
Study Suggests Type 2 Diabetes-Cancer Link MONDAY, July 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- The risk of cancer may be higher the decade before -- and three months following -- a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, new research suggests. Although it's not clear why, the researchers have a theory to explain the seemingly higher risk of cancer incidence so soon after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. "This may in part be explained by increased health care visits and screening tests following a diagnosis of diabetes," said stud...
Stigma Prolongs Global HIV Epidemic Among Gays THURSDAY, July 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- High rates of HIV among gay and bisexual men continue in many regions of the world because of discriminatory laws and lack of access to preventive services, a new study finds. "While HIV rates have flattened overall in recent years, we're really concerned that the HIV epidemic is continuing among gay men and we're going in the wrong direction," said study leader Dr. Chris Beyrer, a professor of public health and hu...
Second, Unrelated Cancers Strike 1 in 12 Cancer Patients THURSDAY, July 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- A new study found that 8 percent of patients -- or one in 12 -- already diagnosed with one form of cancer end up developing a second type of unrelated cancer. The second cancer was fatal in 55 percent of the cases, the study found. "As clinicians, we can become so focused on surveilling our patients to see if a primary cancer recurs that we sometimes may not be aware that patients can be at risk of develo...
Smoking in Pregnancy May Be Under-Reported THURSDAY, July 7, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- A significantly higher percentage of American women may be smoking while pregnant than researchers have previously believed, a new study suggests. The finding is based on urine tests that can measure nicotine exposure compared to what pregnant women report about their smoking habits. "We have long suspected that smoking status during pregnancy is under-reported," study senior author Dr. Jim Greenberg, director of the P...
Savvy Marketing Gets School Kids to Snap Up Veggies TUESDAY, July 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- While clever marketing can steer kids towards junk food, a new study shows that creative advertising can also prompt more kids to eat veggies. The tactic the researchers used was simple and inexpensive: They placed banners around school cafeteria salad bars that featured animated characters dubbed the Super Sprowtz -- with a cast including Miki Mushroom, Zach Zucchini and Suzie Sweet Pea. Some schools also play...
Study Cites the Fats That Could Shorten Your Life TUESDAY, July 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Hold the butter, margarine and high-fat dairy: A new study supports the notion that these "saturated" fats are bad for you. The study, which followed more than 126,000 people for three decades, found that people who ate higher amounts of saturated fats and trans fats died earlier than those who stuck to healthier unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats include plant-based, unprocessed fats such as those found in olive...
Study Hints at HPV Vaccine's Cancer Prevention Promise MONDAY, July 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine appears to prevent abnormalities that can lead to cervical cancer, a new study shows. Canadian researchers found that young women who received the vaccine through a school-based program were less likely to have such abnormalities when screened for cervical cancer than those who did not receive the vaccine. The young women were screened less than 10 years after they recei...
Stem Cells Deemed Safe for ALS Patients WEDNESDAY, June 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists report that stem cell therapy appears to be safe for people with the invariably fatal disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but it's not yet clear whether the treatment provides any benefits. In a preliminary study of just 15 ALS patients, researchers found that most were able to tolerate spinal injections of large doses of stem cells, although two patients developed serious complications. Experts call...
Stay Alert for Child Drowning Dangers This Summer WEDNESDAY, June 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- School's out and the temperature's rising and that means more people will be cooling off at beaches, lakes and pools. But a new report reveals that parents and caregivers need to be extra vigilant when kids are around the water. Nearly 800 children drowned in 2014 in the United States, and more than half were younger than 5, according to a research report by Safe Kids Worldwide, a global nonprofit organization...
Sufficient Sleep May Help Protect Men Against Diabetes: Study WEDNESDAY, June 29, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Too much or too little sleep may raise the risk of diabetes in men, but not women, a study by European researchers suggests. "Even when you are healthy, sleeping too much or too little can have detrimental effects on your health. This research shows how important sleep is to a key aspect of health -- glucose [sugar] metabolism," said senior study author Femke Rutters. She's with the VU Medical Cent...
Sudden Heart Death More Common in Male Minority Athletes TUESDAY, June 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- It's always surprising and heartbreaking to hear about a young athlete dying suddenly. Now a new study finds that in many of these cases, an underlying heart problem was already present. The researchers found that about one-third of sudden cardiac deaths were caused by the heart condition hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This condition causes a portion of the heart's wall to grow abnormally thick, which hinde...
Success in Mice Shows Zika Vaccine 'Feasible' TUESDAY, June 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Studies involving mice support the effectiveness of two vaccine candidates against the Zika virus, scientists say. This "critical first step" is leading to trials in monkeys and humans, "and gives us early confidence that development of a protective Zika virus vaccine for humans is feasible," said researcher Col. Nelson Michael. He is co-leader of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) in Silver Spring, ...
Strep Antistreptolysin O Titer (Blood) Does this test have other names? ASO titer What is this test? This test looks for antibodies that your body made while fighting off group A Streptococcus bacteria. These are antibodies against a substance called streptolysin O, made by the bacteria. Group A Streptococcus can cause strep throat and other infections that can eventually lead to other, more serious, conditions. These include rheumatic fever and streptococcal glomerulonephritis, a disorder of the kidney...
Stool Culture Does this test have other names? Stool test, stool sample What is this test? This test looks for bacteria, viruses, and other germs in your stool. This test can help find out what's causing a digestive tract infection. For this test, your stool sample is put in a special container with the nutrients that bacteria or other germs need to grow. The lab waits until enough germs are present to be seen under a microscope. Once your healthcare provider knows the type of germ causing your infectio...
Sputum Culture Does this test have other names? No. What is this test? This test finds out what's causing your lung infection. Sputum, or phlegm, is the mucus that settles in the lower airways of your lungs when you have an infection or a chronic illness. A lung infection like pneumonia can cause you to cough up phlegm. Other conditions, including bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can also cause coughing and make it difficult to breathe. This test helps your healthcare pro...
Sodium (Urine) Does this test have other names? Urine sodium test, Na test What is this test? This test measures the amount of sodium, or salt, in your urine. Sodium is in almost everything you eat. It's found in many processed foods, like pretzels and chips. It's even in some medicines. Your body needs some sodium to balance other minerals that circulate in your blood and to carry nutrients to different parts of your body. If you get too much sodium, your kidneys normally absorb it and clear it from yo...
Sodium (Blood) Does this test have other names? Na test What is this test? This test measures the levels of sodium in your blood. Sodium is an element needed for your body's cells to work correctly. You can get the sodium you need through your diet. Sodium helps make sure that your nerves and muscles can work as they should. Sodium is also important because it helps maintain the correct balance of fluids in your body, so that you don't have too much water. The kidneys help keep sodium at a healthy level...
Sjögren Antibody (Blood) Does this test have other names? SS-A (or Ro), SS-B (or La) What is this test? This is a blood test for Sjögren syndrome. This condition is an autoimmune disease that makes it hard for your glands to make enough moisture. The condition causes discomfort by drying out mucous membranes, including the ones in the mouth, eyes, nose, lungs, and vagina. Sjögren may also affect the joints, kidneys, and the nervous, vascular, respiratory, and digestive systems. To help diagnose the cond...
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (Blood) Does this test have other names? SHBG blood test What is this test? This test measures the level of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in your blood. SHBG is a protein made by your liver. It binds tightly to 3 sex hormones found in both men and women. These hormones are estrogen; dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and testosterone. SHBG carries these three hormones throughout your blood. Although SHBG binds 3 hormones, the hormone that's critical in this test is testosteron...
Serotonin Does this test have other names? 5-HT test What is this test? This test is sometimes used to help to diagnose carcinoid syndrome. This problem can occur in people with carcinoid tumors. These tumors grow from a certain type of cell, and they usually show up in the lungs, stomach, small intestine, rectum, and appendix. Some carcinoid tumors can convert a substance made from an amino acid in the body called tryptophan into a chemical called serotonin. Serotonin is further broken down to 5-HIAA. ...
Semen Analysis Does this test have other names? Semen testing What is this test? This is a series of tests that looks at how healthy your semen and sperm are. Male infertility is often caused by low sperm count, abnormal sperm movement, or weak sperm. If you and your partner are trying to conceive, the results of this test can help you figure out the next steps you may want to take. Why do I need this test? You may have a semen analysis if you and your partner haven't been able to conceive. You may also...
Salmonella Culture (Stool) Does this test have other names? Stool culture What is this test? This test looks for salmonella bacteria in your stool. Having these bacteria in your stool means you have a salmonella infection. Salmonella infection takes many forms, but the most common in the U.S. is gastroenteritis, also called a "stomach bug." You can get it if you eat food contaminated by animal feces. Food is often contaminated during processing, such as when raw meat comes in contact with other foods. U...
Salicylate (Blood) Does this test have other names? Salicylate serum test, serum salicylate level test, serum salicylate concentration test What is this test? This is a blood test to check for salicylate intoxication, which is usually caused by an overdose of aspirin. This test is also used to check for the correct aspirin dose in people who are given high doses of aspirin to treat inflammation from arthritis. Aspirin contains acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Other salicylates are found in some wart removers...
Strep Screen (Rapid) Does this test have other names? Throat swab, rapid strep test, rapid antigen test What is this test? The rapid strep screen is used to test for bacteria called group A streptococcus. Group A streptococcus bacteria cause illnesses such as strep throat and scarlet fever—a rash that may occur after a case of strep throat. Strep throat and scarlet fever can cause a number of symptoms, particularly a fever and a sore throat. These illnesses are quite contagious and require antibiotics t...
Skull Base Rhabdomyosarcoma in Children What is skull base rhabdomyosarcoma? Rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of cancer. It starts in cells that grow into skeletal muscle cells. The cells are called rhabdomyoblasts. Skeletal muscles control all of a person’s voluntary muscle movements. The cancer is most common in children under age 10, but it is rare. It can form anywhere in the body. A skull base rhabdomyosarcoma forms in the head and neck. It grows in the area where the spine connects to the skull (skull b...
Scrotal Swelling in Children Your son's scrotum is the sac that holds the two testicles. Scrotal swelling is a common problem seen in young boys and baby boys. It can have many causes. These are usually divided into painless and painful scrotal swelling. Hydrocele. Click to Enlarge. Causes of painless scrotal swelling Painless swelling can come on suddenly or slowly over time. Here are some of the more common causes: Hernias and hydroceles. These are the most common causes of scrotal swelling. They are ...
School-Based Occupational Therapy School-based occupational therapy is a type of help given to children at school to help them be more successful. Your child may be able to get this type of help if he or she qualifies under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). An occupational therapist (OT) will look at your child to figure out whether he or she needs help at school. The OT will watch your child in school, evaluate your child's performance, and talk with other health care professional...
Stress Fractures in Young Athletes Competitive sports can give some young athletes an edge over their peers. When fun, teamwork, and good sportsmanship are the top goals, sports can improve young kids' physical and emotional health, self-esteem, and even their relationship skills. Unfortunately, young athletes must also compensate for still-growing bones, tendons, and muscles, and sometimes sports injuries occur. The most common type of sports injury is an overuse injury such as a stress fracture. Overu...
Speech Sound Disorders in Children As young children learn language skills, it's normal for them to have some difficulty saying words correctly. That's part of the learning process. Their speech skills develop over time. They master certain sounds and words at each age. By age 8, most children have learned how to master all word sounds. But some children have speech sound disorders. This means they have trouble saying certain sounds and words past the expected age. This can make it hard to understand wh...
Sports and Children with Special Needs All children can benefit from the exercise, energy release, and pure enjoyment of playing sports, and this includes children with special needs. About 18% of children in the U.S. have a disability or chronic condition. Special needs children are sometimes not encouraged to exercise because their parents or guardians fear they'll be hurt. But physical activity is as important for special needs children, as it is for any child. Participating in sports can help instil...
Sympathetic Nerve Blocks for Pain A sympathetic nerve block is believed by many pain health care providers to be an effective method for controlling chronic pain. However, there is not a great deal of medical evidence to show whether these blocks are actually helpful. This therapy targets the sympathetic nervous system, a series of nerves that spread out from your spine to your body to help control several involuntary body functions, or body functions that you have no control over. These include blood f...
Skull Base Surgery The skull is composed of bones and cartilage that form the face and the cranium, which surrounds the brain. You can feel the bones of the cranium on top of the skull. The five bones that form the bottom, or base, of the cranium also form the eye socket, roof of the nasal cavity, some of the sinuses, and the bones that surround the inner ear. The skull base is a crowded and complicated area with different openings that the spinal cord, many blood vessels, and nerves all pass through. S...
Sympathectomy What is a sympathectomy? Deep inside your chest, a structure called the sympathetic nerve chain runs up and down along your spine. During a sympathectomy, a surgeon cuts or clamps this nerve chain. This keeps nerve signals from passing through it. Why might I need a sympathectomy? This procedure is used to treat a condition called hyperhidrosis or heavy sweating in the palms of the hands, the face, the underarms, and sometimes the feet. It's also used for facial blushing, some chronic pain...
Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Procedure overview A sentinel lymph node biopsy is a surgical procedure that helps healthcare providers determine if or how far a cancer has spread within the body. Lymph nodes are part of the body’s lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is one weapon your body uses to fight infections like cancer, bacteria, and other foreign materials. The system consists of a clear fluid called lymph that traps these particles. This fluid flows to your lymph nodes. Nodes are small, round or...
Skull Base Chordoma A chordoma is a form of bone cancer that can occur anywhere along the length of the spine, from the base of the skull to the lower back. When it occurs at the base of the skull, it is known as skull base chordoma. Because of its location in the base of the skull, it commonly affects vital structures, such as the nerves that control movement of the face, eyes, and swallowing. Facts about skull base chordoma Chordomas are rare cancers. Anyone can develop a chordoma at any age,but they ...
Stroke in Children A stroke is a brain injury caused by the interruption of blood flow to part of the brain. Stroke can be caused by a blocked blood vessel (ischemic stroke) or by bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen, which is carried by the blood. When blood flow stops, brain cells start to die. Stroke is much more common in adults than children. Because a stroke isn't expected in a child, the diagnosis may be delayed. A child, however, often recovers ...
Spinal Arteriovenous Malformations What is a spinal arteriovenous malformation? Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) occur when the connections between your veins and arteries don't form correctly and the vessels become entangled. Usually, these abnormalities develop in the fetus, or in a newborn baby. AVMs can occur anywhere in the body. When they happen in the spinal cord and brain, they are called neurological AVMs, and are more likely to affect different parts of your body. This is because the brain a...
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage What is a subarachnoid hemorrhage? A subarachnoid hemorrhage means that there is bleeding in the space that surrounds the brain. Most often, it occurs when a weakened area in a blood vessel (aneurysm) on the surface of the brain bursts and leaks. The blood then builds up around the brain and inside the skull increasing pressure on the brain. This can cause brain cell damage, life-long complications, and disabilities. When an aneurysm is located in the brain, it's called a cerebra...
Stages of Alzheimer Disease Alzheimer disease is a brain disorder that causes memory loss, confusion, and changes in personality. It is a type of dementia. At first, people with this disease have only a small amount of memory loss and confusion. This is called “cognitive decline.” Over time, however, these symptoms get more severe. The disease progresses through 3 main stages of symptoms. In the final stage, people with Alzheimer disease may be unable to talk with family members or know what is going on...
Sleep Deprivation What is sleep deprivation? Sleep deprivation means you’re not getting enough sleep. For most adults, the amount of sleep needed for best health is 7 to 8 hours each night. When you get less sleep than that, as many people do, it can eventually lead to a whole host of health problems. These can include forgetfulness, being less able to fight off infections, and even mood swings and depression. What causes sleep deprivation? Sleep deprivation is not a specific disease. It is usually the ...
Snoring What is snoring? Some people breathe heavily when they sleep. Others make a soft whistling sound, and still others snore loudly. Snoring doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a medical condition, but it can sometimes be a sign of a serious sleep disorder, including sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterized by loud snoring followed by a few seconds of quiet because of a pause in breathing. This is followed by another loud sound, like a snort, then the snoring resumes. Snoring is common—as many a...
Spinal Cord Tumor Overview A tumor forms when an abnormal cell grow to form a mass of abnormal cells. Spinal cord tumors are tumors that form on the spinal cord or in the area around it. A spinal cord tumor may be cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Even if benign, a tumor often causes pain and discomfort because it pushes on the spinal cord or nerves. A spinal cord tumor may be called “primary,” which means the cancer started in the spinal cord, or “secondary,” which means the cancer starte...
Status Epilpeticus What is status epilepticus? A seizure involves abnormal electrical activity in the brain affecting both the mind and the body. Many problems can cause you to have a seizure. These include high fever, brain infections, abnormal sodium or blood sugar levels, or head injuries. If you have epilepsy , you may have seizures repeatedly. A seizure that lasts at least 30 minutes is called status epilepticus, or a prolonged seizure . This is a medical emergency that may lead to permanent brain ...
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