Headaches are a common problem for many, and most people experience them at some point in their lives. But how do you know whether a headache is the result of tension, lack of sleep, dehydration, or something more serious? Not all headaches are harmless. For instance, a sudden, severe headache can indicate a brain aneurysm, which is a life-threatening condition and requires immediate medical treatment. A brain aneurysm is a protrusion, or bulge, in a blood vessel in the brain. It is caused by ... [Read More]
Spinal Surgery
The Connection Between Atrial Fibrillation and a Stroke
Atrial fibrillation (also called A-fib, or AF) is a heart rhythm disorder that is characterized by a rapid and irregular beating of the heart’s upper chambers (the atria), which results in weaker contractions that lead to poor blood flow. Also, the patient’s pulse doesn’t correspond to the heartbeat. Ideally, the upper chambers and lower chambers of the heart receive normal signals that start each heartbeat. The chambers then send blood to the rest of your body. With atrial fibrillation, ... [Read More]
Awake Brain Surgery: Overview
Awake brain surgery is a procedure performed on the brain the patient is awake and alert. This type of surgery reduces the risk of damaging critical brain areas that control vision, movement, speech, and other skills, when the neurological condition being treated is close to that particular part of the brain. Awake brain surgery, also known as awake craniotomy, is an effective way to treat certain neurological (brain) conditions such as a tumor or epileptic seizures. Being awake during ... [Read More]
What Can a Spine Surgeon Treat?
Spinal pain and related spine problems can trigger a lot of issues in day-to-day life. These back pains can cause lost days in work, strained relationships caused by irritability, and physical exhaustion. Thus, you need to see a spine surgeon to solve the problem. However, you also need to know what spine surgeons can treat so that you won’t be wasting your time going to different surgeons not knowing exactly which of your problems they can treat. Spine problems can be addressed with ... [Read More]
Artificial Discs vs. Spinal Fusion
Back pain is sometimes treatable without surgery, but surgery may be the best option when the pain is chronic and is becoming unbearable. Spine surgery is highly successful in reducing pain and improving the patient’s quality of life. In a healthy spine, the vertebrae are held together by discs composed of cartilage that act as cushions which absorb shock, such as from walking or running. Each set of two adjacent vertebrae are separated by a protective disc. However, worn-out or damaged discs ... [Read More]
