Few experiences match the drama of a convulsive seizure. A person having a severe seizure may cry out, fall to the floor unconscious, twitch or move uncontrollably, drool, or even lose bladder control. Within minutes, the attack is over, and the person regains consciousness but is exhausted and dazed. This is the image most people have when they hear the word epilepsy. However, this type of seizure -- a generalized tonic-clonic seizure -- is only one kind of epilepsy. There are many other kinds, each with a different set of symptoms. Epilepsy was one of the first brain disorders to be described. It was mentioned in ancient Babylon more than 3,000 years ago. The strange behavior caused by some seizures has contributed through the ages to many superstitions and prejudices. The word epilepsy is derived from the Greek word for "attack." People once thought that those with epilepsy were being visited by demons or gods. However, in 400 B.C., the early physician Hippocrates suggested that epilepsy was a disorder of the brain -- and we now know that he was right. Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which clusters of nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain sometimes signal abnormally. … Continue reading →

Multiple sclerosis, cancer and epilepsy are the top conditions Minnesotans hope to treat in the state's new medical marijuana program. An online, informal survey of 1,361 potential participants in the Minnesota Medical Cannabis program, found about half of potential users of medical cannabis reported their qualifying condition as multiple sclerosis or severe muscle spasms, the Minnesota Department of Health said Monday. Seventy percent of the Minnesotans responding to the survey said they were likely to register for the medial cannabis program, 24 percent indicated they may register. The program is expected to begin dispensing medical marijuana July 1. According to the department survey, the most common conditions eligible for medical cannabis among respondents were: Multiple sclerosis or severe muscle spasms, 51.5 percent Cancer, 17.6 percent Epilepsy or seizures, 17.5 percent Glaucoma, 10.8 percent Crohn's disease, 9.3 percent Read more from the original source: Survey finds MS, epilepsy, cancer top targets for MN medical pot … Continue reading →

The most recent statistics show 1 in 68 babies has autism. The U.S. spends $11.5 billion a year on education and treatment for kids with the disorder, but what happens when those kids grow into adults? Braden Gertz is an early childhood education specialist, and a swimming instructor. The 24-year-old is also living with autism. "It's hard living on your own because you don't know what to do for yourself," said Gertz. Dr. Christopher Hanks, a pediatric and internal medicine specialist at Ohio State University, says only about 10 to 15 percent of adults with autism are able to live independently like Braden. "There's really a small percentage that are thriving in the community, and the rest struggle, said Dr. Hanks. By 2030 the number of adults living with autism is expected to increase by nearly 700 percent, but many adults with the disorder have nowhere to turn when it comes to medical care. "As children, they had great care, but as they become adults there's just no one specifically trained to care for them," said Dr. Hanks. Adults with autism are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, seizures, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes, but they … Continue reading →

With autism spectrum rates soaring, Jack Scott wants to make sure there's early diagnosis and intervention for children as young as 2, usually boys. "If parents aren't alert to fussy behavior, these kids become an expert and a lot of it is behavioral not medical per se," said Scott, executive director of the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at Florida Atlantic University. "We can teach parents the key strategies to deal with problem behavior. It doesn't go away, but it can be made better. If parents handle it altogether wrong, it just gets worse." First, tell people who you are. CARD is state funded. We received a little over $1 million to serve five counties from Palm Beach County north. We're part of FAU in the Department of Exceptional Student Education. We're headquartered in Boca Raton, but we have offices in Jupiter and Port St. Lucie. We serve 3,500 families. What disorders do you mostly address? Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), which includes Autistic Disorder, Asperger Syndrome. Also girls with Rett Syndrome, and Dual Sensory Impairment or Sensory Impairment with another disabling condition. What exactly do you offer? We provide direct assistance to people with autism and similar disabilities and … Continue reading →