We are by your side as you navigate brain illness or injury. Our compassionate team of neurology specialists provide the latest in technology and medical advances so you can live well. We are by your side as you navigate brain illness or injury. Our compassionate team of neurology specialists provides the latest in technology and medical advances so you can live well.

 

ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease is a progressive neurological disease that destroys nerve cells and weakens muscles, eventually affecting the ability to speak, swallow and breathe. ALS doesn't typically affect your senses or your thinking ability. It's possible to remain actively involved with your family and friends.

Early signs and symptoms

• Difficulty walking and completing normal activities
• Tripping and falling
• Weakness in your leg, feet or ankles
• Hand weakness or clumsiness
• Slurred speech or trouble swallowing
• Muscle cramps and twitching in your arms, shoulders and tongue
• Difficulty holding your head up or keeping good posture

Treatment

You can’t reverse or stop ALS damage, but you can slow the progression of symptoms and prevent complications. Your doctor may prescribe medications approved to treat ALS.

Your neurology team will also work with you and your loved ones to make a plan that will help you retain your independence for as long as possible.

 

Aneurysm

An aneurysm is the abnormal bulging of an artery caused by weakness in the vessel wall. If left untreated, the aneurysm can potentially rupture and result in severe disability, cognitive loss or death.

Aneurysms can strike without warning. That’s why we are here and prepared, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Early signs and symptoms

• Sudden, severe headache
• Nausea
• Blurred or double vision
• Seizure

Treatment

We use traditional medicine and cutting edge technology to treat aneurysms. Depending on the size, shape, location and condition of the aneurysm, treatment could include surgical clipping, endovascular coiling or endovascular embolization.

Our Health First community includes interventional neuroradiologists who specialize in minimally invasive endovascular brain aneurysm repair.

 

Brain Tumors

A brain tumor is a mass of abnormal cells in your brain or close to your brain. The mass can either be non-cancerous, called benign, or cancerous, which is called malignant. 

Early signs and symptoms

• New headaches or change in pattern of headaches
• Headaches that gradually become more frequent and more severe
• Unexplained nausea or vomiting
• Blurred vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision
• Gradual loss of sensation or movement in an arm or a leg
• Difficulty with balance
• Speech difficulties
• Confusion in everyday matters
• Personality or behavior changes
• Seizures, especially in someone who doesn't have a history of seizures
• Hearing problems

Treatment

Treatment options for a brain tumor depend on the type, size and location of the tumor. Your neurology team and other specialists will work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan that gives you the best possible outcome.

Treatment options include: 

• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Radiosurgery
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted drug therapy

 

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

Dementia is the general term for a decline in mental ability including memory, reasoning, and intellectual and social skills. Alzheimer’s disease, which causes the brain cells to degenerate and die, is the most common cause of dementia.

Signs and symptoms

• Repeating statements and questions, not realizing it’s being repeated
• Forgetting conversations, appointments or events and not remembering them later.
• Misplacing items and putting them in illogical locations, such as leaving car keys in the refrigerator.
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Forgetting the names of family members and everyday objects.
• Changes in behavior or personality
• Depression
• Social withdrawal
• Mood swings, irritability and aggressiveness
• Distrust in other people, including loved ones
• Changes in sleeping habits
• Wandering
• Delusions, such as believing something has been stolen

Treatment

There is not yet a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are medications that can help control memory symptoms and cognitive changes for a time.

 

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder that disrupts the nerve cell activity in the brain and causes seizures or episodes of unusual behavior or loss of consciousness. 

Signs and symptoms

• Temporary confusion
• Staring spells
• Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs
• Loss of consciousness or awareness

Treatment

Epilepsy is generally treated with prescription medication. If your neurologist feels the medication isn’t working as well as it should, the next step could be surgery or other types of medical treatment. 

 

Migraines

A migraine is a severe headache that causes significant pain and can last for hours or even days. The pain can be disabling and cause other physical symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

Signs and symptoms

There are four stages to a migraine, though not every person will experience all four stages.

Pro-drome
This occurs one to two days before a migraine attack.

• Constipation
• Mood changes
• Neck stiffness
• Increased thirst and urination

Aura
This may occur just before or during a migraine, but most people experience migraines without aura. 

• Visual phenomena, such as seeing bright spots or flashes of light
• Vision loss
• Pins and needles sensations in an arm or leg limb weakness
• Weakness or numbness in your face or one side of your body
• Difficulty speaking
• Hearing noises or music
• Uncontrollable jerking or other movements

Attack
A migraine typically lasts between four and 72 hours if left untreated. The frequency and severity vary from person to person. 

• Pain on one side or both sides of your head
• Pain that feels throbbing or pulsing
• Sensitivity to light, sounds and sometimes smells and touch
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Lightheadedness, sometimes followed by fainting

Post-drome
This phase occurs after a migraine attack and lasts about 24 hours. 

• Confusion
• Moodiness
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Sensitivity to light and sound

Treatment

There are several medications and treatments your doctor may recommend to control your migraines and stop or reduce your symptoms, including:

• Onabotulinumtoxin A (BOTOX injections)
• Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Advil or Motrin
• Triptans
• Anti-seizure medication
• Antidepressants

 

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a neurological condition that affects your brain and the optic nerves in your eyes and spinal cord. MS can cause problems with your balance, basic body functions, muscle control and vision. 

Signs and symptoms

• Blurred or double vision
• Depression
• Feeling tired
• Muscle weakness or spasms
• Numbness and tingling
• Pain
• Poor bladder or bowel control
• Problems focusing or remembering
• Sexual problems
• Trouble walking

Treatment

The effects of MS are different for everyone. You may have mild symptoms that don’t require ongoing treatment or you may have a more severe form that prevents you from living a life you love.

We are here to help. Medication, physical and occupational therapy and the latest in neuroscience treatments can help you manage the symptoms and maintain your quality of life.

 

Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects your movement and speech. 

Signs and symptoms

• Tremor, typically beginning in your hand or fingers
• Slowed movement, including shorter steps when you walk
• Muscle stiffness that limits your range of motion
• Balance problems
• Stooped posture
• Loss of automatic body movements, such as blinking, smiling or swinging your arms when you walk
• Speech changes or slurred speech
• Difficulty writing or changes to your handwriting

Treatment

There is not yet a cure for Parkinson’s disease, but medication can help control your symptoms, often making a noticeable difference in your daily life. As the disease progresses, your neurologist may recommend surgery to treat your symptoms.

We also often recommend aerobic exercise, physical therapy, stretching exercises and speech therapy to maintain or improve your movements. 

 

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is caused by damage to your peripheral nerves and affects sensation and coordination in your hands, feet and other parts of your body.

Signs and symptoms

• Numbness, prickling or tingling in your feet or hands that may spread upward into your legs or arms
• Sharp, jabbing, throbbing, freezing or burning pain
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Lack of coordination and falling
• Muscle weakness or paralysis
• Heat intolerance and altered sweating
• Bowel, bladder or digestive problems
• Changes in blood pressure, causing dizziness or lightheadedness

Treatment

Treatment varies depending on the type and severity of your symptoms and may include:

• Over the-counter-pain relievers or prescription pain medicine
• Anti-seizure medication
• Topical cream
• Antidepressants
• Physical therapy