Life just got a little easier for Ottawa families dealing with epilepsy. The Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario has opened a specialized epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) that will provide dedicated beds, specialized equipment and access to a team of health professionals to help in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy. Each year, 15,000 Canadians are diagnosed with epilepsy, about 70 per cent of themunder the age of 18. Dr. Sharon Whiting is the head of neurology at CHEO. Six-year-old Kailyn Lumsden-Perry was the first patientadmitted tothe EMU. She visited CHEO on Monday with her mother, Sarah Lumsden. The following interview has been edited and condensed. Q: What is epilepsy? Whiting: The brain is the control centre of the body. In a patient with epilepsy, either one or all of the cells the neurons are discharging abnormally. In that case, the patients develop seizures. Epilepsy is a condition where people are at an increased risk of seizures. Once you have had two unprovoked seizures, we consider that you have epilepsy. Q. How does the EMU differ from how you would have treated epilepsy patients in the past? Whiting: We would have had to bring them into the ward system and do … Continue reading →

An artists rendering of the proposed Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation building on Sea Island. image credit: A planned centre for the study, treatment and assessment of autismthe first of its kindis moving ahead on Sea Island. The citys development permit panel board will hear an application from NSDA Architects Wednesday for the construction of a 59,772-square-foot facility for the Pacific Autism Family Centre Foundation. The $28-million centre is proposed for a vacant 0.9-hectare (2.3-acre) site off Russ Baker Way near the B.C. Institute of Technology Aerospace Campus, at 1001 Hudson Ave. Foundation co-founder Sergio Cocchia presented plans to Richmond council a year ago. Much of the project, $20 million, is being bankrolled by the province. Once built, the facility aims to become a knowledge centre in B.C., bringing together resources for research, information, learning assessment, treatment and support for people with autism spectrum disorder and their families. The concept for this centre involves both a new building in Richmond and services in regions across the province through a hub, spoke and satellite framework, according to the architects submission to the city. Autism spectrum disorder occurs in approximately one of every 68 births, according to the centres website. It is … Continue reading →

Months before the nations primary autism legislation is set to expire, members of Congress are looking to renew the bill and kick in some extra dollars for efforts related to the developmental disorder. A bill introduced Monday in the U.S. House of Representatives would extend the Combating Autism Act for five years, allocating $260 million annually for research, prevalence tracking, training for professionals, early identification and other federal initiatives through 2019. Originally passed in 2006, Congress last approved the Combating Autism Act in 2011 with $231 million per year going to autism efforts since that time. The law is set to expire at the end of September unless lawmakers act to reauthorize it. This is a critical investment that is working to determine the cause of ASD, identify autistic children as early as possible to begin treatment, and producing better awareness, new therapies and effective services. The quality of life of many children is at stake, as it is with young adults who age out of the support services in educational systems, said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., who introduced the legislation along with U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Penn. The $29 million increase included in the proposal this week would … Continue reading →

Released: 5/12/2014 3:00 PM EDT Source Newsroom: ProMedica Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Newswise TOLEDO, Ohio, May 12, 2014 For a patient who suffers a severe ischemic stroke, or blockage of a blood vessel, and who may not be a candidate for the more common medication (tissue plasminogen activator or tPA) that dissolves a clot, another option of treatment is available at ProMedica. Mechanical embolectomy is performed by going through the leg with a catheter to the brain where the clot is located, mechanically retrieving and removing the clot, and restoring critical blood flow. We have seen immediately improvement in some patients after the clot has been removed, a according to Dr. Mouhammad Jumaa, medical director of the ProMedica Stroke Network. To determine where the clot is located, doctors perform a brain-computed tomography scan, or brain CT scan, by injecting a contrast dye into the carotid artery. The dye helps make the artery visible on x-ray pictures and provides clear, detailed images of the brain as soon as possible after a stroke is suspected. In mechanical embolectomy, when clot-dissolving medication is not prescribed, a stent is used to capture and remove the clot. As with any invasive procedure, … Continue reading →

Released: 5/12/2014 3:00 PM EDT Source Newsroom: ProMedica Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Newswise TOLEDO, Ohio, May 12, 2014. ProMedica invites you to Strike Out Stroke with the Toledo Mud Hens at Fifth/Third Field on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn the signs and symptoms of stroke and how it can be prevented. There will be free blood pressure screenings and stroke risk assessments. According to the National Stroke Association, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in America killing more than 133,000 people each year and a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability. Eighty percent of strokes are preventable with the appropriate health screenings and changes to diet and lifestyle. It is importance to know the signs of stroke and to seek treatment right away. Use FAST to remember the warning signs of stroke: Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange? Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately. Read the … Continue reading →

Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) May 12, 2014 For Stroke Awareness Month, Charlotte periodontist Dr. Shannon Parsons educates his patients about gum disease causes and how to maintain good oral health. Studies have shown links between advanced gum disease and the risk of stroke and heart disease, most likely due to the presence of infection in the bloodstream from the gum disease. With a revolutionary new gum disease treatment for patients in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Parsons is helping his patients to reduce their risk of stroke. Among the known gum disease causes are many factors that people can control, such as: While there are many steps that patients can take in their own lives to increase their chances of good gum health, other factors are less known, including hereditary influences and disease that may contribute to gum infection. Whatever the particular gum disease causes in the patient's individual case, though, treatment is essential to avoid further risks of receding gums and increased risk of stroke, as shown by many recent studies. With quick and effective gum disease treatment that is now offered in Charlotte, NC, there are fewer excuses to avoid gum surgery. The new technique, called Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure, … Continue reading →

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) May 12, 2014 In light of stroke awareness month, Dr. Judd Shenk believes that there is no better time to seek laser gum disease treatment in Roswell, GA, as a link between gum disease and stroke has been discovered. The typical warning of this Roswell, GA dentist is that insufficient oral hygiene can lead to periodontal disease; but now this warning has become significantly more serious, as gum disease has been linked to heart disease, an increased risk of stroke, and a myriad of other health concerns. In the United States, stroke is one of the leading causes of death. Studies have estimated that one American experiences a stroke roughly every 45 seconds. Focusing on ways to reduce their risk of a stroke should be at the forefront of every Americans mind. Some of the ways to reduce stroke risk are to maintain proper oral hygiene and seek timely gum disease treatment. Currently, there are many treatment options available for those suffering with gum disease, but one that has shown to be effective and only minimally invasive is the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP). LANAP offers many unique advantages over traditional gum disease treatment and is … Continue reading →

UC seeking stroke survivors for memory improvement study May 14, 2014 The University of Canterbury is seeking people who have had strokes to take part in a study to help improve memory in stroke patients. Computer science and software engineering professor Tanja Mitrovic has received $830,000 of Marsden funding to develop computer-based treatment for stroke patients to improve their memory. ``We have developed training based on visualisation which will help stroke patients memorize future tasks better. There is a lot of research in rehabilitation of motor functions of stroke patients but there is very little research done to help restore peoples memory. ``We have developed a 3D virtual reality environment where stroke patients perform various actions similar to those in real-life, such as making a cup of coffee or a sandwich. ``The Government is interested in getting patients out of full-time care and into jobs, or at least to have more autonomy in their lives. We hope our work will make a real difference for those people recovering from a stroke. ``Memory failure can interfere with independent living, as it can result in someone forgetting to take medication, switch off a stove or miss a doctors appointment. ``The primary goal … Continue reading →