Sleep disorders are common conditions that involve difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up. Sleep disorders may develop as a result of changes in the brain regions and neurotransmitters, stress, anxiety, depression, poor sleep habits or many other possible causes. By not getting sufficient sleep at night, many people are affected during the day and may have difficulty completing their everyday activities.
Some of the most common sleep disorders include:
You can take certain actions to help get a good night's sleep, such as setting a routine, exercising regularly, avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, avoiding lying in bed while awake and relaxing before bedtime.
Alzheimer's disease is a common condition that involves a loss of intellectual and social abilities and affects over 4 million people in the US. Most people who develop Alzheimer's are over the age of 65 and the risk for developing the disease continues to increase with age. Alzheimer's is the leading cause of dementia and can be a troubling condition for both patients and their loved ones.
Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain disease that causes the ability of memory and other brain functions to slowly decrease until a person is no longer capable of remembering, reasoning or learning. Signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include:
Since the disease progresses slowly, symptoms are often gradual and may not even be noticed at first.
The cause of Alzheimer's is not quite understood, but it is known that the disease damages and kills brain cells. The brains of those who died after having the disease tend to show abnormal clumps of brain cells known as plaques and tangles. Alzheimer's tends to affect older people and is more common in women than men.
There is no cure for Alzheimer's, but several treatments are available to help manage symptoms and slow the progress of the disease. Medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors and partial glutamate antagonists help protect healthy brain cells and may be used separately or together. Research is always being conducted to help develop new treatment options for Alzheimer's patients.
A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is disrupted; this deprives the brain of sufficient oxygen and nutrient levels, causing brain cells to die. A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment to help prevent complications such as muscle paralysis, memory loss and permanent brain damage.
There are several different types of strokes, but nearly 80 percent of all cases are ischemic strokes. An ischemic stroke occurs when the arteries leading to the brain become blocked and blood flow is restricted, causing cells to die quickly. Other strokes may occur from too much blood in the brain after a blood vessel leaks or ruptures, or after a temporary decrease in blood supply to the brain, which may cause a mini-stroke.
A stroke can cause many serious symptoms and may come on suddenly, so it is important to take action as soon as symptoms appear. Symptoms of a stroke include:
Strokes occur most often in people over the age of 55, with high blood pressure and cholesterol and a family history of stroke or heart attack.
In order to treat a stroke, proper blood flow must be restored to the brain. This can be done through aspirin or other medication if the stroke is detected early enough. Surgical procedures to expand blocked arteries or control excess bleeding are most commonly used to treat a stroke.
Many people are able to successfully recover from a stroke, depending on how much brain damage occurred. It is important to make an effort to regain independence and functionality, while also taking steps to prevent a future stroke or heart attack through maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.
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