ATLANTA, Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Since its launch in March 2012, the "My Four Words" project has reached thousands of people with empowering messages of living beyond the boundaries of epilepsy. Now, representatives from UCB and the Epilepsy Advocate program are inviting participants at the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia's 29th Annual Magnolia Run and Walk for Epilepsy to contribute to the movement and raise awareness of epilepsy by sharing their four-word stories. WHAT: The "My Four Words" project gives people affected by epilepsy a chance to share their personal thoughts, feelings and experiences with the condition in just four words. Stories will be displayed on posters during the Magnolia Run and Walk for Epilepsy and select photos will be featured online at facebook.com/EpilepsyAdvocate following the event. Created by UCB, the Epilepsy Advocate program offers opportunities to learn more about epilepsy and how to manage the condition. WHERE: Epilepsy Advocate booth at the Magnolia Run and Walk for Epilepsy Perimeter Mall 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road Atlanta, GA 30346 WHEN: See the original post: Epilepsy Advocate's "My Four Words" Project Hits the Ground Running in UCB's Hometown at the Epilepsy Foundation of ... … Continue reading →

Autism is a disorder diagnosis that is becoming more commonly diagnosed than you may think. About 1 in 100 children in the U.S. will be diagnosed with autism. Autism affects thought, perception, and attention and is much more than a single disorder but rather a defined set of symptoms. Autistic behavior typically occurs across various situations that are consistently inappropriate for their age. According to the American Psychiatric Association, a diagnosis of autistic disorder is made when an individual displays six or more of the twelve symptoms listed across the major areas of social interaction, communication, and behavior. Fortunately filling out a quick questionnaire in your pediatrician's waiting room, could help determine if your child has autism. Researchers say this infant-toddler checklist can provide aid to children who have autism and other developmental disabilities, to get on track for treatment earlier than the norm. It's also important to rule out other medical problems first since autism usually begins during the important development milestones of a child's life. A child can show visual problems, hearing problems, or sleep disorders. But other conditions have to be ruled out first before autism is diagnosed. Parents need to start checking signs at around 6 … Continue reading →

Donations Promised private funding remains elusive. Elected leaders celebrated Wednesday a public-private partnership that will fund a new autism treatment pilot, but the exact financial commitment by Utah banks and insurance companies is yet to be disclosed. Only Intermountain Healthcare said after a press conference at the state capitol that it planned to contribute $500,000 to the two-year program. The state has yet to receive any donations. Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield representatives attended but said they do not plan to contribute to the program. Zions Bank has said it will make a donation but did not specify an amount at the press conference. Altius was named as a donor in a press release but did not attend the conference. Rep. Ronda Menlove, R-Garland, the sponsor of the legislation that created the program, said she expects donations to reach $1 million. The pilot program is designed to allow about 300 children to receive behavioral treatment. For the past several months, state officials and parents have wondered when that money would appear. During the last legislative session, some parents had pushed for a mandate to force insurers to cover treatment. Menloves pilot was pitched as an alternative, and was supported by … Continue reading →

COLTON ARMC, which in 2010 became the first area hospital to become a Level 1 Primary Stroke Center, has received a two-year stroke center re-certification from the Health Care Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP), again demonstrating it has achieved the highest national standards to provide care for stroke patients. ARMC, which established its stroke program in 2008 and now treats approximately 360 stroke patients annually, met more than 40 HFAP standards during an extensive on-site survey in April in order to earn its re-certification. We are committed to achieving excellence in our stroke care, which is why we are very pleased with the survey results and our re-certification, said ARMC Stroke Medical Director Dr. Dan Miulli. Stroke is a major health concern for all Americans and residents of our community can feel confident knowing that the best care for stroke is available nearby. ARMC has a team of physicians, nurses and others who are specially trained in the care of stroke patients and has a dedicated stroke inpatient unit with 16 beds. In addition, ARMC health care professionals provide extensive education and stroke risk assessments in the community to minimize the incidence of stroke. The HFAP standards ARMC met for re-certification … Continue reading →

MOBILE, Alabama -- Dealing with depression following a stroke will be the focus of the next South Alabama Regional Stroke Support Group meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 21 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the University of South Alabama Medical Centers 2nd floor conference room. Someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds in the U.S., health statistics show. Dr. Gloria Simms, neurology resident in the USA College of Medicine, will be the guest speaker. Depression is a common symptom associated with stroke, Simms said. Some patients can present with depression as part of the neurological impact of the area under ischemia, or as a consequence of the impact of a new condition with limited ability for daily life tasks. Simms said the presence of depression is also an important marker in the rehabilitation process and adjustment after stroke. We will discuss the different symptoms as well as treatments available for this condition in the context of acute stroke or in the rehabilitation process post-stroke, Simms said. Simms earned her medical degree from the Universidad del Valle in Colombia. She has performed a fellowship in vascular and critical care neurology at the University of Alabama in Birmingham and a neuroimaging fellowship at … Continue reading →