Paraesthesia and NumbnessWritten by Dr. Michael L. Johnson
Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations felt anywhere in body. Most commonly, they can be perceived in hands, arms, legs or feet. The feeling of numbness or tingling is a signal unrecognized by brain and signals that something is wrong. The problem can come from a nerve impingement as it exits spinal column or peripheral stimulus being muddled before or after brain receives information.Most frequently, problems coming from neck (cervical spine) result in a wide variety of symptoms. Pain, ache, numbness, and tingling are a few of sensations interpreted by brain. Actually, sensations are warning signals to brain that something is wrong. Numbness in one of extremities is most common problem that can be equated with a peripheral neuropathy, more commonly called a “pinched nerve." Technically, a nerve does not really get “pinched," but it is word that makes sense to most people. However, actual feeling of a peripheral neuropathy in arms and hands can really feel like something is being pinched.
| | Strokes and Stroke RehabilitationWritten by Dr. Michael L. Johnson
Strokes affect millions of people every year and can be deadly. Some occur suddenly; some have pre-stroke warning signs. TIA’s, or transient ischemic attacks, may or may not happen prior to a stroke. During a TIA, a blood vessels going to head or neck becomes partially occluded, and this decreases oxygen available to brain. During a TIA, a patient usually experiences symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, double vision or even a loss of consciousness. There are two types of strokes. The first is ischemic. Ischemia occurs when blood vessel becomes blocked and brain doesn’t have enough oxygen to work properly. The blockage occurs from something occluding vessel, and then blood supply is shut off. Therefore, brain activity will be inhibited because fuel supply is not adequate. The second type of stroke is hemorrhagic. A hemorrhagic stroke is more severe than an ischemic stroke. With this type of stroke, blood vessel actually bursts, causing bleeding within skull. More damage occurs with this type of stroke. People that have undergone a stroke have very similar characteristics. Usually, one side of body does not work as well at other side. For example, right side may appear stiffer as compared to other side. This stiffness or inability to move directly relates to brain function. If right side of body is rigid, this can be traced back to left side of brain. Short or long term memory may be impaired.
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