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What causes Dizziness? | Light-headedness happens when there is not enough blood getting to the brain. This can happen if there is a sudden drop in your blood pressure or you are dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or other causes. Many people, especially as they get older, experience light-headedness if they get up too quickly from a lying or seated position. Light-headedness often accompanies the flu, hypoglycemia, common cold, or allergies.
More serious conditions that can lead to light-headedness include heart problems (such as abnormal heart rhythm or heart attack), stroke, and severe drop in blood pressure (shock). If any of these serious disorders is present, you will usually have additional symptoms like chest pain, a feeling of a racing heart, loss of speech, change in vision, or other symptoms.
The most common causes of vertigo are benign positional vertigo and labyrinthitis. Benign positional vertigo is vertigo that happens when you change the position of your head. Labyrinthitis usually follows a cold or flu and is caused by a viral infection of the inner ear. Meniere's disease is another common inner ear problem. It causes vertigo, loss of balance, and ringing in the ears.
Much less commonly, vertigo or feeling unsteady is a sign of stroke, multiple sclerosis, seizures, a brain tumor, or a bleed in your brain. In such conditions, other symptoms usually accompany the vertigo or imbalance. | Answer this question truthfully |
Who is at highest risk for Dizziness ? | People with heart problems, stroke, multiple sclerosis, seizures, brain tumors, benign positional vertigo and labyrinthitis are likely to experience dizziness. | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Dizziness ? | Call 911 or go to an emergency room if someone with dizziness also has:
A head injury Fever over 101°F, headache, or very stiff neck Convulsions or ongoing vomiting Chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, weakness, inability to move an arm or leg, or change in vision or speech Fainting and losing consciousness for more than a few minutes
Call your doctor if:
You have never had dizziness before. Symptoms you have had in the past are different (for example, last longer than usual, are worse than before, or are interfering with your daily activities). Medication is the suspected cause. Talk to your health care provider before making any changes to your medication. You have any hearing loss. | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Dizziness (Outlook/Prognosis)? | Most causes of dizziness are not serious and either quickly get better on their own or are easily treated. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Dysarthria? | Depending on its cause, dysarthria may develop slowly or occur suddenly.
People with dysarthria have trouble making certain sounds or words.
Their speech is poorly pronounced (such as slurring), and the rhythm or speed of their speech changes. Other symptoms include:
Sounding as though they are mumbling
Speaking softly or in a whisper
Speaking in a nasal or stuffy, hoarse, strained, or breathy voice
A person with dysarthria may also drool and have problems chewing or swallowing. It may be difficult to move the lips, tongue, or jaw. | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Dysarthria? | In a person with dysarthria, a nerve, brain, or muscle disorder makes it difficult to use or control the muscles of the mouth, tongue, larynx, or vocal cords, which make speech.
The muscles may be weak or completely paralyzed, or it may be difficult for the muscles to work together.
Dysarthria may be the result of brain damage due to:
Brain tumor
Dementia
Stroke
Traumatic brain injury
Dysarthria may result from damage to the nerves that supply the muscles that help you talk, or to the muscles themselves from:
Face or neck trauma
Surgery for head and neck cancer, such as partial or total removal of the tongue or voice box
Dysarthria may be caused by diseases that affect nerves and muscles (neuromuscular diseases):
Cerebral palsy
Multiple sclerosis
Muscular dystrophy
Myasthenia gravis
Parkinson's disease
Other causes may include:
Alcohol intoxication
Poorly fitting dentures
Side effects of medications that act on the central nervous system, such as narcotics, phenytoin, or carbamazepine | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Dysarthria ? | Call your health care provider if you have:
Chest pain, chills, fever, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of pneumonia
Coughing or choking
Difficulty speaking to or communicating with other people
Feelings of sadness or depression | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Dysarthria (Outlook/Prognosis)? | Depending on the cause of dysarthria, symptoms may improve, stay the same, or get worse slowly or quickly.
Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) eventually lose the ability to speak.
Few people with Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis lose the ability to speak.
Dysarthria caused by medication or poorly fitting dentures can be reversed.
Dysarthria caused by a stroke or brain injury will not get worse, and may improve.
Dysarthria after surgery to the tongue or voice box should not get worse, and may improve with therapy. The severity of dysarthria depends on what type and how much tissue was removed. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Dyslexia? | A person with DRD may have trouble rhyming and separating sounds that make up spoken words. These abilities appear to be critical in the process of learning to read. A child's initial reading skills are based on word recognition, which involves being able to separate out the sounds in words and match them with letters and groups of letters.
Because people with DRD have difficulty connecting the sounds of language to the letters of words, they may have difficulty understanding sentences.
True dyslexia is much broader than simply confusing or transposing letters, for example mistaking ”b” and “d.".
In general, symptoms of DRD may include:
Difficulty determining the meaning (idea content) of a simple sentence
Difficulty learning to recognize written words
Difficulty rhyming
DRD may occur in combination with writing or math learning problems. | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Dyslexia? | Developmental reading disorder (DRD), or dyslexia, occurs when there is a problem in areas of the brain that help interpret language. It is not caused by vision problems. The disorder is a specific information processing problem that does not interfere with one's ability to think or to understand complex ideas. Most people with DRD have normal intelligence, and many have above-average intelligence.
DRD may appear in combination with developmental writing disorder and developmental arithmetic disorder. All of these involve using symbols to convey information. These conditions may appear alone or in any combination.
DRD often runs in families. | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Dyslexia ? | Call your health care provider if your child appears to be having trouble learning to read. | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Dyslexia (Outlook/Prognosis)? | Specialized help (called remedial instruction) can lead to marked improvement in reading and understanding.
Reading difficulties may persist for life. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Epilepsy? | Symptoms vary depending on the seizure types, from simple staring spells to loss of consciousness and violent convulsions. In most cases, the patient with epilepsy tends to have the same type of seizure each time.
Temporary confusion Staring spell Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs Complete loss of consciousness | Answer this question truthfully |
Who is at highest risk for Epilepsy ? | Head injuries Stroke and other vascular diseases Brain tumors Brain infections, such as meningitis, encephalitis Brain poisoning, such as alcohol High fevers in childhood Dystocia when children were born A family history of epilepsy Male | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Epilepsy ? | If you experience either of the following symptoms, seeking urgent medical care as soon as possible:
First seizure A longer seizure than before Frequently seizures Status epilepticus
Before the patient who's having a seizure is sent to the emergency department, the following measurements may be important and helpful.
Keep calm Don't hold the patient, place something soft under the patient's head. Take off any rigid articles from the patient, such as the glasses or backpack, and loosen any tight clothing near the neck. Stay with the patient, observe the event and be able to describe what happened before, during, and after the seizure to the coming ambulancemen. | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Epilepsy (Outlook/Prognosis)? | Most patients with epilepsy survive outwardly normal lives. But some of them, especially children, may develop behavioral and emotional problems. They may be teased by classmates or avoided in school and other social setting. Patients with epilepsy have to face two life-threatening conditions: status epilepticus and sudden unexplained death. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of an Eyelid twitch? | In addition to having repetitive, uncontrollable twitching or spasms of your eyelid (usually the upper lid), you may be very sensitive to light or have blurry vision. | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes an Eyelid twitch? | The most common things that make the muscle in your eyelid twitch are fatigue, stress, and caffeine. Once spasms begin, they may continue off and on for a few days. Then, they disappear. Most people experience this type of eyelid twitch on occasion and find it very annoying. In most cases, you won't even notice when the twitch has stopped.
More severe contractions, where the eyelid completely closes, are possible. These can be caused by irritation of the surface of the eye (cornea) or the membranes lining the eyelids (conjunctiva).
Sometimes, the reason your eyelid is twitching cannot be identified. This form of eyelid twitching lasts much longer, is often very uncomfortable, and can also cause your eyelids to close completely. | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Eyelid twitch ? | Call your primary care doctor or eye doctor (ophthalmologist, optometrist) if:
Eyelid twitching does not go away within 1 week Twitching completely closes your eyelid Twitching involves other parts of your face You have redness, swelling, or a discharge from your eye Your upper eyelid is drooping | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Eyelid twitch (Outlook/Prognosis)? | The outlook depends on the specific type or cause of eyelid twitch. In some cases, the twitches usually stop within a week. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Gliomatosis cerebri? | Symptoms can be non specific and mostly represent manifestations of increased intracranial pressure. Some signs and symptoms include:
Headache
Hydrocephalus
Vomiting
Unsteadiness
Cognitive problems
Increased pressure inside skull
Behavioral problems
Seizure
Nausea
Personality changes
Vision problems | Answer this question truthfully |
Who is at highest risk for Gliomatosis cerebri ? | At present, the risk factors for the development of gliomatosis cerebri are not known. | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Gliomatosis cerebri ? | Call your health care provider if symptoms of gliomatosis cerebri develop. If you experience either of the following symptoms, seeking urgent medical care as soon as possible:
Severe headache
Seizure
Severe vomiting
Motor dysfunction | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Gliomatosis cerebri (Outlook/Prognosis)? | The prognosis of gliomatosis cerebriis poor and it depends on the following:
Whether or not the tumor can be removed by surgery
The stage of the cancer: the size of the tumor, whether the cancer has spread outside the brain
The patient’s general health
Whether the cancer has just been diagnosed or has recurred | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Headache? | There are two kinds of headache: primary headaches and second headaches. Primary headaches refer to headaches not associating with any stuctural problem in the head or neck, including migraine, tension, and cluster headaches, and a variety of other less common types of headache. Secondary headaches are those that are due to an underlying stuctural problem in the head or neck, such as brain tumor, stroke, or brain infection. Except for headache, secondary headaches include other symptoms caused by the diseases.
Symptoms in primary headaches include:
Some headaches onset without aura. Certain food, emotion changes or environmental chages may be the auras for other headaches. A pain that begins in the back of the head and upper neck, as a tightness or pressure. The pain is usually mild and bilateral Not accompanied with nausea or vomiting Usually occur sporadically No function damage
Symptoms in secondary headaches depend on the underlying cause. Except for headache, there may be other symptoms such as the following.
Headache may be continuing. Fever Hemiplegia Nausea and vomiting Diplopia Anepia | Answer this question truthfully |
Who is at highest risk for Headache ? | Brain tumors Brain infection Intracranial hypertension Anxiety Arthritis in neck or spine Degenerative bone or disk disease in the neck or spine Depression Temporomandibular joint disorders Drugs, such as nitrates Alcohol Environmental changes, such as changes in barometric pressure and altitude, inclement weather, or high winds. | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Headache? | Headache is a kind of symptom, the most important thing is to make the underlying causes clear.
Meidcal history, the characteristics of the patient's headache. Physical examination and neurological evaluation. Eye examination: It is very useful to identify underlying problem in the brain. Blood tests: Blood tests include complete blood count, liver, and kidney function tests. The results of the various lab tests may provide clues to detect some secondary headaches that can cause coma. Head imaging studies such as CT and MRI: These images can be used to detect the structural problems in the brain. Electroencephalography (EEG): This test can demonstrate the electrical activity in the brain and be helpful for the diagnosis. | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Headache ? | Headache is just a symptom. It is necessary to indentify the underlying causes. So, go to see your doctor when you show this symptom. If you feel the following symptoms, go to the emergency department as soon as possible.
Sudden sever headache sudden headache associated with a stiff neck Headache accompanying with nausea or vomiting Headache accompanying with fever, convulsions, or confusion or loss of consciousness Headache accompanying with pain in the eye or ear Headaches following trauma to the head Persistent headache in a person who was previously headache free Recurring headache in children | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Headache (Outlook/Prognosis)? | The prognosis of headache depends on:
Underlying causes | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Horner's syndrome? | Decreased sweating on the affected side of the face Drooping eyelid (ptosis) Sinking of the eyeball into the face Small (constricted) pupil (the black part in the center of the eye)
There may also be symptoms of the disorder that is causing the problem. | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Horner's syndrome? | Horner's syndrome can be caused by any interruption in a set of nerve fibers that start in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus and run to the face.
Sympathetic nerve fiber injuries can result from:
Injury to one of the main arteries to the brain (carotid artery) Injury to nerves in the neck called the brachial plexus Migraine or cluster headaches Stroke, tumor, or other damage to a part of the brain called the brainstem Tumor in the top of the lung
Rarely, Horner's syndrome may be present at birth (congenital). The condition may occur with a lack of color (pigmentation) of the iris (colored part of the eye). | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Horner%27s syndrome ? | Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of Horner's syndrome. | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Horner%27s syndrome (Outlook/Prognosis)? | The outcome depends on whether treatment of the cause is successful. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Hypersomnia? | Symptoms often develop slowly during adolescence or young adulthood. They include:
Daytime naps that do not relieve drowsiness Difficulty waking from a long sleep may feel confused or disoriented Increased need for sleep during the day even while at work, or during a meal or conversation Increased sleep time up to 14 - 18 hours per day
Other symptoms may include anxiety, feeling irritated, low energy, restlessness, slow thinking or speech, loss of appetite, and memory difficulty.
Cataplexy: suddenly falling asleep or losing muscle control which is part of narcolepsy, is NOT a symptom of idiopathic hypersomnia. | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Hypersomnia? | The usual approach is to consider other potential causes of excessive daytime sleepiness.
Other sleep disorders that may cause daytime sleepiness include:
Isolated sleep paralysis Narcolepsy Obstructive sleep apnea Restless leg syndrome
Other causes of excessive sleepiness include:
Atypical depression Certain medications Drug and alcohol use Low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) Previous head injury | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Multiple sclerosis ? | Multiple sclerosis signs and symptoms may differ greatly from person to person and over the course of the disease depending on the location of affected nerve fibers. The symptoms may include:
Muscle symptoms:
Loss of balance Muscle spasms Numbness or abnormal sensation in any area Problems moving arms or legs Problems walking Problems with coordination and making small movements Tremor in one or more arms or legs Weakness in one or more arms or legs
Bowel and bladder symptoms:
Constipation and stool leakage Difficulty beginning to urinate Frequent need to urinate Strong urge to urinate Urine leakage (incontinence)
Eye symptoms:
Double vision Eye discomfort Uncontrollable eye movements Vision loss (usually affects one eye at a time)
Numbness, tingling, or pain:
Facial pain Painful muscle spasms Tingling or burning feeling in the arms and legs
Other brain and nerve symptoms:
Decreased attention span, poor judgment, and memory loss Difficulty reasoning and solving problems Depression or feelings of sadness Dizziness and balance problems Hearing loss
Sexual symptoms:
Problems with erections Problems with vaginal lubrication
Speech and swallowing symptoms:
Slurred or difficult-to-understand speech Trouble chewing and swallowing
Fatigue is a common and bothersome symptom as MS progresses. It is often worse in the late afternoon. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the causes of Multiple sclerosis ? | MS is caused by damage to the myelin sheath. This sheath is the protective covering that surrounds nerve cells. When this nerve covering is damaged, nerve signals slow or stop. The nerve damage is caused by inflammation. Inflammation occurs when the body's own immune cells attack the nervous system. This can occur in any area of the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord.
It is unknown what exactly causes MS. The most common thought is that a virus or gene defect, or both, are to blame. Environmental factors may also play a role.
You are slightly more likely to develop this condition if you have a family history of MS or you live in a part of the world where MS is more common. | Answer this question truthfully |
Who is at highest risk for Multiple sclerosis ? | Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects women more than men. The disorder is most commonly diagnosed between ages 20 and 40 but can be seen at any age.
Environmental factors, such as smoking and decreased light exposure have been shown to increase the risk of MS, while other factors, such as diet and hormone intake, have had inconclusive results.
Lastly, many different microbes have been proposed as potential triggers of MS, but none have been substantiated. | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Multiple sclerosis ? | Call your health care provider if:
You develop any symptoms of MS Symptoms get worse, even with treatment The condition deteriorates to the point where home care is no longer possible | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Multiple sclerosis (Outlook/Prognosis)? | The outcome varies and is hard to predict. Although the disorder is chronic and incurable, life expectancy can be normal or almost normal. Most people with MS continue to walk and function at work with minimal disability for 20 or more years.
The following typically have the best outlook:
Females People who were young (less than 30 years) when the disease started People with infrequent attacks People with a relapsing-remitting pattern People who have limited disease on imaging studies
The amount of disability and discomfort depends on:
How often you have attacks How severe they are The part of the central nervous system that is affected by each attack
Most people return to normal or near-normal function between attacks. Slowly, there is a greater loss of function with less improvement between attacks. Over time, many require a wheelchair to get around and have a more difficult time transferring out of the wheelchair.
Those with a support system are often able to remain in their home. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Photophobia ? | Blurred vision Changes in hearing Dizziness Headache Itching Nausea Neck stiffness Numbness or tingling elsewhere in the body Pain in the eye Redness Sore or wound in eye Swelling | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the causes of Photophobia ? | Acute iritis or uveitis (inflammation inside eye) Burns to the eye Corneal abrasion Corneal ulcer Drugs such as amphetamines, atropine, cocaine, cyclopentolate, idoxuridine, phenylephrine, scopolamine, trifluridine, tropicamide, and vidarabine Excessive wearing of contact lenses, or wearing badly fitted contact lenses Eye disease, injury, or infection (such as chalazion, episcleritis, glaucoma) Eye testing when the eyes have been dilated Meningitis Migraine headache | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Photophobia ? | If eye pain is severe, see your health care provider to determine the cause of light sensitivity. Proper treatment may cure the problem. Seek urgent medical attention if your pain is moderate to severe, even in low-light conditions.
Call your doctor if light sensitivity is severe or painful -- for example, if you need to wear sunglasses indoors.
Also call if the sensitivity occurs with headaches, red eye or blurred vision or does not go away in a day or two. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy? | Headaches Loss of coordination, clumsiness Loss of language ability (aphasia) Memory loss Vision problems Weakness of the legs and arms that gets worse | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy? | The JC virus (JCV) causes PML. By age 10, most people have been infected with this virus, but it hardly ever causes symptoms. | Answer this question truthfully |
Who is at highest risk for Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy ? | Anyone with a weakened immune system, however, are at greater risk of developing PML. Causes of a weakened immune system include:
AIDS (less common now because of better AIDS treatments) Certain medications used to treat multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and related conditions Leukemia and lymphoma | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy ? | When you experience above mentioned symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (Outlook/Prognosis)? | PML is a life-threatening condition. Talk to your doctor about care decisions. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Restless legs syndrome? | RLS leads to sensations in the lower legs that make you uncomfortable unless you move your legs. These sensations:
Usually occur at night when you lie down, or sometimes during the day when you sit for long periods of time May be described as aching, bubbling, crawling, creeping, pulling, searing, or tingling May last for 1 hour or longer Sometimes also occur in the upper leg, feet, or arms
You will feel an irresistible urge to walk or move your legs, which almost always relieves the discomfort.
Most patients have rhythmic leg movements during sleep hours, called periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD).
All of these symptoms often disturb sleep. Symptoms can make it difficult to sit during air or car travel, or through classes or meetings.
Note: Symptoms may be worse during stress or emotional upset. | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Restless legs syndrome? | Restless legs syndrome (RLS) occurs most often in middle-aged and older adults. Stress makes it worse. The cause is not known in most patients.
RLS may occur more often in patients with:
Peripheral neuropathy Chronic kidney disease Parkinson's disease Pregnancy Iron deficiency Use of certain medications
A form of RLS may be passed down in families. This may be a factor when symptoms start at a younger age. The abnormal gene has not yet been identified.
Restless legs syndrome can result in a decreased quality of sleep (insomnia). This lack of sleep can lead to daytime sleepiness, anxiety or depression, and confusion or slowed thought processes. | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Restless legs syndrome ? | Call for an appointment with your health care provider if:
You have symptoms of restless legs syndrome Your sleep is disrupted | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Restless legs syndrome (Outlook/Prognosis)? | Restless legs syndrome is not dangerous or life-threatening, and it is not a sign of a serious disorder. However, it can be uncomfortable and disrupt your sleep. | Answer this question truthfully |
How should this medicine be used? | Rivastigmine comes as a capsule and solution (liquid) to take by mouth. It is usually taken twice a day with meals in the morning and evening. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take rivastigmine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will start you on a low dose of rivastigmine and slowly increase your dose, not more than once every 2 weeks.
Rivastigmine may improve the ability to think and remember or slow the loss of these abilities, but does not cure Alzheimer's disease or dementia in people with Parkinson's disease. Continue to take rivastigmine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking rivastigmine without talking to your doctor.
If you are taking rivastigmine oral solution, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's instructions for use. Carefully read these instructions. Always use the oral dosing syringe that comes with rivastigmine solution to measure your dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how to measure your dose of rivastigmine solution.
Rivastigmine oral solution may be swallowed directly from the syringe or mixed with a liquid before use. Mix it with a small glass of water, cold fruit juice, or soda. Be sure to stir the mixture completely. Do not mix this medication with any liquid other than the ones listed. If the medication is mixed with water, juice, or soda, it must be taken within 4 hours.
To take a dose of rivastigmine solution, follow these steps:
Remove the oral dosing syringe that came with this medication from its protective case. Push down and twist off the child-resistant cap to open the bottle of rivastigmine solution. Put the tip of the oral syringe into the white stopper opening on top of the bottle. While holding the syringe straight up, pull up on the plunger to the mark on the syringe that equals your dose. Check the liquid in the syringe for air bubbles. If there are large air bubbles, gently move the syringe plunger up and down a few times. Do not worry about a few tiny air bubbles. Make sure the plunger is on the mark on the syringe that equals your dose. Remove the oral syringe from the bottle by pulling up on it. Swallow your dose from the syringe directly, or mix it with the liquid you have chosen. Drink or swallow all of the solution. Wipe off the outside of the oral syringe with a clean tissue, and put the syringe back into its case. Close the child-resistant cap on the bottle of medication. | Answer this question truthfully |
What special precautions should I follow? | Before taking rivastigmine:
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to rivastigmine, neostigmine (Prostigmin), physostigmine (Antilirium, Isopto Eserine), pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Regonol), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in rivastigmine solution. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antihistamines; aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); bethanechol (Duvoid, Urabeth, Urecholine); ipratropium (Atrovent); and medications for Alzheimer's disease, glaucoma, irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, myasthenia gravis, Parkinson's disease, ulcers, or urinary problems. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, an enlarged prostate or other condition that blocks the flow of urine, ulcers, abnormal heart beats, or other heartor lung disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking rivastigmine, call your doctor. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking rivastigmine. | Answer this question truthfully |
What special dietary instructions should I follow? | Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet. | Answer this question truthfully |
What should I do if I forget a dose? | Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
If you miss taking rivastigmine for more than a few days, talk to your doctor before starting to take it again. You will probably have to restart taking it at a lower dose. | Answer this question truthfully |
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine? | Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Store rivastigmine solution in an upright position. Do not place rivastigmine solution in the freezer or allow rivastigmine solution to freeze.Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication. | Answer this question truthfully |
What other information should I know? | Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication.Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Sciatica ? | Sciatica pain can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or a burning sensation. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move.
The pain most often occurs on one side. Some people have sharp pain in one part of the leg or hip and numbness in other parts. The sensations may also be felt on the back of the calf or on the sole of the foot. The affected leg may feel weak.
The pain often starts slowly. Sciatica pain may get worse:
After standing or sitting At night When sneezing, coughing, or laughing When bending backwards or walking more than a few yards, especially if caused by spinal stenosis | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the causes of Sciatica ? | Sciatica occurs when there is pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts in the spine and runs down the back of each leg. This nerve controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg and provides sensation to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg, and the sole of the foot.
Common causes of sciatica include:
Piriformis syndrome (a pain disorder involving the narrow piriformis muscle in the buttocks) Slipped disk Degenerative disk disease Spinal stenosis Pelvic injury or fracture Tumors | Answer this question truthfully |
Who is at highest risk for Sciatica ? | Risk factors for Sciatica include:
Diabetes Inactivity and sedentary lifestyles Increasing Age Manual Labor that requires strenuous use of your back and/or heavy lifting | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Sciatica ? | Call your doctor right away if you have:
Unexplained fever with back pain Back pain after a severe blow or fall Redness or swelling on the back or spine Pain traveling down your legs below the knee Weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg, or pelvis Burning with urination or blood in your urine Pain that is worse when you lie down, or awakens you at night Severe pain and you cannot get comfortable Loss of control of urine or stool (incontinence)
Also call if:
You have been losing weight unintentionally You use steroids or intravenous drugs You have had back pain before but this episode is different and feels worse This episode of back pain has lasted longer than 4 weeks
If any of these symptoms are present, your doctor will carefully check for any sign of infection (such as meningitis, abscess, or urinary tract infection), ruptured disk, spinal stenosis, hernia, cancer, kidney stone, twisted testicle, or other serious problem. | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Sciatica (Outlook/Prognosis)? | If the cause of the sciatic nerve dysfunction can be identified and successfully treated, full recovery is possible. The extent of disability varies from no disability to partial or complete loss of movement or sensation. Nerve pain may be severe and persist for a prolonged period of time. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Shaken baby syndrome? | The symptoms can vary from mild to severe. They may include:
Convulsions (seizures) Decreased alertness Extreme irritability or other changes in behavior Lethargy, sleepiness, not smiling Loss of consciousness Loss of vision No breathing Pale or bluish skin Poor feeding, lack of appetite Vomiting
There may not be any physical signs of injury, such as bruising, bleeding, or swelling. In some cases, the condition can be difficult to diagnose and may not be identified during an office visit. However, rib fractures are common and can be seen on x-ray.
An eye doctor may find bleeding behind the baby's eye or retinal detachment. There are, however, other causes of bleeding behind the eye and they should be ruled out before diagnosing shaken baby syndrome. Other factors must be considered. | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Shaken baby syndrome? | In most cases, an angry parent or caregiver shakes the baby to punish or quiet the child. Such shaking usually takes place when the infant is crying inconsolably and the frustrated caregiver loses control. Many times the caregiver did not intend to harm the baby. Still, it is a form of child abuse.
Injuries are most likely to happen when the baby is shaken and then the baby's head hits something. Even hitting a soft object, such as a mattress or pillow, may be enough to injure newborns and small infants. Children's brains are softer, their neck muscles and ligaments are weak, and their heads are large and heavy in proportion to their bodies. The result is a type of whiplash, similar to what occurs in some auto accidents.
Shaken baby syndrome does not result from gentle bouncing, playful swinging or tossing the child in the air, or jogging with the child. It also is very unlikely to occur from accidents such as falling off chairs or down stairs, or accidentally being dropped from a caregiver's arms. Short falls may cause other types of head injuries, although these are often minor. | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Shaken baby syndrome ? | Call your health care provider if a child has any of the above signs or symptoms, regardless of how severe they are. Also call if you think a child has shaken baby syndrome.
If you think a child is in immediate danger because of abuse or neglect, you should call 911.
If you suspect that a child is being abused, report it immediately. Most states have a child abuse hotline. You may also use Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-Child). | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Somnolence? | Excessive daytime sleepiness (without a known cause) suggests that you have a significant sleep disorder. It is different from fatigue.
Depression, anxiety, stress, and boredom can all contribute to excessive sleepiness, but these conditions more typically cause fatigue and apathy. | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Somnolence? | Having to work long hours or different shifts (nights, weekends) Medications (tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antihistamines) Medical conditions (such as hypothyroidism, hypercalcemia, and hyponatremia / hypernatremia) Not sleeping for long enough Sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea syndrome and narcolepsy) | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Somnolence ? | Contact your health care provider if you think the cause of your drowsiness is from any of the above conditions. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Spinal cord injury? | Symptoms vary somewhat depending on the location of the injury. Spinal cord injury causes weakness and sensory loss at and below the point of the injury. The severity of symptoms depends on whether the entire cord is severely injured (complete) or only partially injured (incomplete).
The spinal cord doesn't go below the 1st lumbar vertebra, so injuries at and below this level do not cause spinal cord injury. However, they may cause cauda equina syndrome -- injury to the nerve roots in this area.
When spinal cord injuries occur in the neck area, symptoms can affect the arms, legs, and middle of the body. The symptoms may occur on one or both sides of the body. Symptoms can include:
Breathing difficulties (from paralysis of the breathing muscles, if the injury is high up in the neck) Loss of normal bowel and bladder control (may include constipation, incontinence, bladder spasms) Numbness Sensory changes Spasticity (increased muscle tone) Pain Weakness, paralysis
When spinal injuries occur at chest level, symptoms can affect the legs:
Loss of normal bowel and bladder control (may include constipation, incontinence, bladder spasms) Numbness Sensory changes Spasticity (increased muscle tone) Pain Weakness, paralysis
Injuries to the cervical or high thoracic spinal cord may also result in blood pressure problems, abnormal sweating, and trouble maintaining normal body temperature.
When spinal injuries occur at the lower back level, varying degrees of symptoms can affect one or both legs, as well as the muscles that control your bowels and bladder:
Loss of normal bowel and bladder control (you may have constipation, leakage, and bladder spasms) Numbness Pain Sensory changes Spasticity (increased muscle tone) Weakness and paralysis | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Spinal cord injury? | Spinal cord trauma can be caused by any number of injuries to the spine. They can result from motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries (particularly diving into shallow water), industrial accidents, gunshot wounds, assault, and other causes.
A minor injury can cause spinal cord trauma if the spine is weakened (such as from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoporosis) or if the spinal canal protecting the spinal cord has become too narrow (spinal stenosis) due to the normal aging process.
Direct injury, such as cuts, can occur to the spinal cord, particularly if the bones or the disks have been damaged. Fragments of bone (for example, from broken vertebrae, which are the spine bones) or fragments of metal (such as from a traffic accident or gunshot) can cut or damage the spinal cord.
Direct damage can also occur if the spinal cord is pulled, pressed sideways, or compressed. This may occur if the head, neck, or back are twisted abnormally during an accident or injury.
Bleeding, fluid accumulation, and swelling can occur inside the spinal cord or outside the spinal cord (but within the spinal canal). The accumulation of blood or fluid can compress the spinal cord and damage it.
Most spinal cord trauma happens to young, healthy individuals. Men ages 15 - 35 are most commonly affected. The death rate tends to be higher in young children with spinal injuries. | Answer this question truthfully |
Who is at highest risk for Spinal cord injury ? | Risk factors include participating in risky physical activities, not wearing protective gear during work or play, or diving into shallow water.
Older people with weakened spines (from osteoporosis) may be more likely to have a spinal cord injury. Patients who have other medical problems that make them prone to falling from weakness or clumsiness (from stroke, for example) may also be more susceptible. | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Spinal cord injury ? | Call your health care provider if injury to the back or neck occurs. Call 911 if there is any loss of movement or sensation. This is a medical emergency!
Management of spinal cord injury begins at the site of an accident with paramedics trained in immobilizing the injured spine to prevent further damage to the nervous system.
Someone suspected of having a spinal cord injury should NOT be moved without immobilization unless there is an immediate threat. | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Spinal cord injury (Outlook/Prognosis)? | Paralysis and loss of sensation of part of the body are common. This includes total paralysis or numbness and varying degrees of movement or sensation loss. Death is possible, particularly if there is paralysis of the breathing muscles.
How well a person does depends on the level of injury. Injuries near the top of the spine result in more extensive disability than do injuries low in the spine.
Recovery of some movement or sensation within 1 week usually means the person has a good chance of recovering more function, although this may take 6 months or more. Losses that remain after 6 months are more likely to be permanent.
Routine bowel care frequently takes one hour or more on a daily basis.
A majority of people with spinal cord injury must perform bladder catheterization from time to time.
Modifications of the person's living environment are usually required.
Most people with spinal cord injury are wheelchair- or bed-bound, or have impaired mobility requiring a variety of assistive devices. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Syringomyelia? | Gradual loss of muscle mass (wasting, atrophy) Headache Muscle function loss, loss of ability to use arms or legs Numbness or decreased sensation Decreased sense of pain or temperature Lessened ability to sense that the skin is being touched Neck, shoulders, upper arms, trunk -- in a cape-like pattern Slowly, but progressively, gets worse Pain down the arms, neck, or into the upper back Weakness (decreased muscle strength, independent of exercise) in the arms or legs
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Muscle contractions Rashes Spasms in or tightness of the leg muscles Uncoordinated movement | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Syringomyelia? | The fluid buildup seen in syringomyelia may be a result of spinal cord trauma, tumors of the spinal cord, or birth defects (specifically, " chiari malformation," in which part of the brain pushes down onto the spinal cord at the base of the skull).
The fluid-filled cavity usually begins in the neck area. It expands slowly, putting pressure on the spinal cord and slowly causing damage. | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Syringomyelia ? | Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of syringomyelia. | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Syringomyelia (Outlook/Prognosis)? | Untreated, the disorder gets worse very slowly, but it eventually causes severe disability. Surgical decompression usually stops the progression of the disorder, with about 50% of people showing significant improvement in neurologic function after surgical decompression. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Tabes dorsalis? | Lightning pains Impaired sensation and proprioception Hypesthesias Progressive sensory ataxia (inability to feel the lower limbs) Diminished reflexes or loss of reflexes Poor coordination or loss of coordination Unsteady gait (locomotor ataxia) Sexual function problems | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Tabes dorsalis? | Tabes dorsalis is a form of neurosyphilis, which is a complication of late or tertiary syphilis infection. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infectious disease. The infection damages the spinal cord and peripheral nervous tissue. | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Tabes dorsalis (Outlook/Prognosis)? | Progressive disability is possible if the disorder is left untreated. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Tardive dyskinesia? | Facial grimacing Jaw swinging Repetitive chewing Tongue thrusting | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Tardive dyskinesia? | Tardive dyskinesia is a serious side effect that occurs when you take medications called neuroleptics. It occurs most frequently when the medications are taken for a long time, but in some cases it can also occur after you take them for a short amount of time.
The drugs that most commonly cause this disorder are older antipsychotic drugs, including:
Haloperidol
Fluphenazine
Trifluoperazine
Other drugs, similar to antipsychotic drugs, that can cause tardive dyskinesia include:
Cinnarizine
Flunarizine (Sibelium)
Metoclopramide | Answer this question truthfully |
Who is at highest risk for Tardive dyskinesia ? | People taking medications called neuroleptics are at risk for tardive dyskinesia. Examples of these medications are listed above. | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Tardive dyskinesia (Outlook/Prognosis)? | If diagnosed early, the condition may be reversed by stopping the drug that caused the symptoms. Even if the antipsychotic drugs are stopped, the involuntary movements may become permanent and in some cases may become significantly worse. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Trigeminal neuralgia? | Very painful, sharp electric-like spasms that usually last a few seconds or minutes, but can become constant Pain is usually only on one side of the face, often around the eye, cheek, and lower part of the face Pain may be triggered by touch or sounds Painful attacks of trigeminal neuralgia can be triggered by common, everyday activities, such as:
Brushing teeth Chewing Drinking Eating Lightly touching the face Shaving | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Trigeminal neuralgia? | The pain of trigeminal neuralgia comes from the trigeminal nerve. This nerve carries the feelings of touch and pain from the face, eyes, sinuses, and mouth to the brain.
Trigeminal neuralgia may be caused by:
Multiple sclerosis Pressure on the trigeminal nerve from a swollen blood vessel or tumor
Often, no cause is found. Doctors are more likely to find a cause in a person who is younger than age 40. | Answer this question truthfully |
Who is at highest risk for Trigeminal neuralgia ? | The condition usually affects adults, but it may affect anyone at any age. Trigeminal neuralgia may be part of the normal aging process. | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Trigeminal neuralgia ? | Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia. | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Trigeminal neuralgia (Outlook/Prognosis)? | How well you do depends on the cause of the problem. If there is no disease causing the problem, treatment can provide at least some relief.
However, the pain may become constant and severe in some patients. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Tuberous sclerosis ? | Skin symptoms include:
Areas of the skin that are white (due to decreased pigment) and have either an ash leaf or confetti appearance Red patches on the face containing many blood vessels (adenoma sebaceum) Raised patches of skin with an orange-peel texture (shagreen spots), often on the back
Brain symptoms include:
Developmental delays Mental retardation Seizures
Other symptoms:
Pitted tooth enamel Rough growths under or around the fingernails and toenails Rubbery noncancerous tumors on or around the tongue
The symptoms of tuberous sclerosis vary from person to person. Some people have normal intelligence and no seizures. Others have intellectual disabilities or difficult-to-control seizures. | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Tuberous sclerosis ? | Tuberous sclerosis is inherited. Changes (mutations) in two genes, TSC1 and TSC2, are responsible for most cases of the condition.
Only one parent needs to pass on the mutation for the child to get the disease. However, most cases are due to new mutations, so there usually is no family history of tuberous sclerosis.
This condition is one of a group of diseases called neurocutaneous syndromes . Both the skin and central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) are involved.
There are no known risk factors, other than having a parent with tuberous sclerosis. In that case, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting the disease. | Answer this question truthfully |
When to Contact a Medical Professional ? | Call your health care provider if:
Either side of your family has a history of tuberous sclerosis You notice symptoms of tuberous sclerosis in your child
Call a genetic specialist if your child is diagnosed with cardiac rhabdomyoma. Tuberous sclerosis is the leading cause of this tumor. | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Tuberous sclerosis (Outlook/Prognosis)? | Children with mild tuberous sclerosis usually do well. However, children with severe retardation or uncontrollable seizures usually do poorly. Occasionally when a severely affected child is born, the parents are examined, and one of them is found to have had a mild case of tuberous sclerosis that was not diagnosed.
The tumors in this disease tend to be noncancerous (benign). However, some tumors (such as kidney or brain tumors) can become cancerous. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of Vertigo? | Patients with vertigo may experience one or more following symptons.
A sensation of disorientation or motion or the perception that surrounding objects are moving or spinning Lightheadedness Imbalance Nausea and vomiting Sweat Abnormal eye movements Tinnitus or hearing loss | Answer this question truthfully |
What causes Vertigo? | Upper respiratory tract infection Ear infection Labyrinthitis Head or ear injury Multiple sclerosis Epilepsy Neck injuries Migraine Ménière's disease Acoustic neuroma Brain stem tumors Nasopharyngeal carcinoma Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) | Answer this question truthfully |
When to seek urgent medical care when I have Vertigo ? | See your doctor immediately if you experience vertigo with any of the following:
A new, different or severe headache Fever Diplopia or loss of vision Hearing loss Trouble in speaking Leg or arm weakness or paralysis, especially in one side Loss of consciousness Difficulty walking Numbness | Answer this question truthfully |
What to expect if I have Vertigo (Outlook/Prognosis)? | The prognosis of vertigo depends on the causes. Outcomes of vertigo caused by tumors are poorer than any other causes. | Answer this question truthfully |
How does the balance system work? | Movement of fluid in the semicircular canals signals the brain about the direction and speed of rotation of the head--for example, whether we are nodding our head up and down or looking from right to left. Each semicircular canal has a bulbed end, or enlarged portion, that contains hair cells. Rotation of the head causes a flow of fluid, which in turn causes displacement of the top portion of the hair cells that are embedded in the jelly-like cupula. Two other organs that are part of the vestibular system are the utricle and saccule. These are called the otolithic organs and are responsible for detecting linear acceleration, or movement in a straight line. The hair cells of the otolithic organs are blanketed with a jelly-like layer studded with tiny calcium stones called otoconia. When the head is tilted or the body position is changed with respect to gravity, the displacement of the stones causes the hair cells to bend.
The balance system works with the visual and skeletal systems (the muscles and joints and their sensors) to maintain orientation or balance. For example, visual signals are sent to the brain about the body's position in relation to its surroundings. These signals are processed by the brain, and compared to information from the vestibular and the skeletal systems. An example of interaction between the visual and vestibular systems is called the vestibular-ocular reflex. The nystagmus (an involuntary rhythmic eye movement) that occurs when a person is spun around and then suddenly stops is an example of a vestibular-ocular reflex. | Answer this question truthfully |
What are the symptoms of a balance disorder? | When balance is impaired, an individual has difficulty maintaining orientation. For example, an individual may experience the "room spinning" and may not be able to walk without staggering, or may not even be able to arise. Some of the symptoms a person with a balance disorder may experience are:
A sensation of dizziness or vertigo (spinning). Falling or a feeling of falling. Lightheadedness or feeling woozy. Visual blurring. Disorientation.
Some individuals may also experience nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, faintness, changes in heart rate and blood pressure, fear, anxiety, or panic. Some reactions to the symptoms are fatigue, depression, and decreased concentration. The symptoms may appear and disappear over short time periods or may last for a longer period of time. | Answer this question truthfully |