An arachnoid cyst is a common type of cyst that grows in the brain. You are either born with them (called primary arachnoid cysts) or develop them due to a brain injury, trauma, or infection (referred to as secondary arachnoid cysts). Arachnoid cysts are not tumors and therefore, not indicative of cancer. Arachnoid cysts, just like the cysts that develop on your skin are fluid-filled sacs. In the case of arachnoid cysts, they are filled with cerebrospinal fluid. Arachnoid Cysts and the ... [Read More]
General
Traumatic Brain Injury
While doctors and researchers have mapped the various parts of the brain, they still cannot explain exactly how the entire brain works. No one knows where “memory” resides in the brain. The medical community understands which portion of the brain controls which facets of the body, but doctors are essentially stumped in regards to where intelligence, consciousness, and creativity reside. That is why a person who suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can experience dramatic changes to their ... [Read More]
Brain Tumor Signs and Symptoms
A brain tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that has grown in the brain. Brain tumors are either malignant, which means cancerous, or benign, which is noncancerous. It’s impossible to see a brain tumor with the naked eye, so how do you figure out if you have one? Signs and symptoms can help determine if you have a brain tumor. If the following ones apply, it’s essential that you see a doctor immediately for diagnosis and possible treatment. Common Signs and Symptoms The brain is a complex ... [Read More]
Neurosurgeon vs. Orthopedic Surgeon
When choosing a doctor to perform your spine surgery, you have a choice between a neurosurgeon and an orthopedic surgeon. The emerging field of spine surgery incorporates aspects of both specialties. Before choosing which type of doctor should perform your surgery, it is important to understand the differences between them. What Do Neurosurgeons Do? When you think of a neurosurgeon, you may think that they do mostly brain surgeries. Actually, for many neurosurgeons, the majority of ... [Read More]
What is a Neurological Condition?
A neurological condition involves the brain of course and the spinal cord, but it also encompasses disorders involving the nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord. Nearly 50 million Americans suffer from neurological disorders. That’s one in five people who have damage or injury to their nervous systems. A simple definition of a neurological condition is a disorder that occurs due to damage to the nerves, brain or spinal column. Such occurrences may be a result of a traumatic injury or ... [Read More]