BACKGROUND: More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes, or pediatric AIDS combined. Autism affects millions of children world-wide and can vary between mild and severe cases. Autism is as a pervasive developmental disorder and becomes evident in a child within the first 3 years of life. This disease is a physical condition linked to abnormal biology and chemistry in the brain. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention autism identifies around 1 in 110 American children as being on the autism spectrum, a 600% increase in prevalence over the past two decades. (Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, http://www.autismspeaks.org) PREVENT AUTISM: Althoughthe exact causes of these abnormalities remain unknown. The clearest evidence of these autism risk factors involves events before and during birth of the child. They include older parents at the age of conception (both mom and dad), maternal illness during pregnancy and certain difficulties during birth, specifically those involving periods of oxygen deprivation to the babys brain. It is important to keep in mind that these factors, by themselves, do not cause autism. (Source: http://www.autismspeaks.org) SIGNS OF AUTISM: Most parents of autistic children suspect that something is wrong by the time … Continue reading →

14 May 2012 Last updated at 08:42 ET An appeal to raise money for stroke equipment and services has passed the halfway target of 500,000. Listeners to BBC Radio Cornwall have helped to raise 250,985 for the Phoenix Stroke Appeal, since it was launched in June last year. The money will go to the acute unit at the Royal Cornwall Hospital and the dedicated stroke units at Bodmin and Camborne Redruth Community Hospitals. It is estimated that about 1,000 people have a stroke every year in Cornwall. The Phoenix appeal will also benefit stroke carers in the community. The dignity of being able to eat and drink and look after yourself is really important A 1,000 "neater eater", which helps steady a spoon for patients with severe tremors, has already been purchased. Robert Downie, who is in charge of occupational therapy at Bodmin, said the spoon enables patients to feed themselves, giving them a measure of independence. "The dignity of being able to eat and drink and look after yourself is really important," he said. The rest is here: Stroke Appeal reaches £250,985 … Continue reading →

Public release date: 14-May-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Jim Ritter jritter@lumc.edu 708-216-2445 Loyola University Health System MAYWOOD, Il. -- Following a stroke, factors as varied as blood sugar, body temperature and position in bed can affect patient outcomes, Loyola University Medical Center researchers report. In a review article in the journal MedLink Neurology, first author Murray Flaster, MD, PhD and colleagues summarize the latest research on caring for ischemic stroke patients. (Most strokes are ischemic, meaning they are caused by blood clots.) "The period immediately following an acute ischemic stroke is a time of significant risk," the Loyola neurologists write. "Meticulous attention to the care of the stroke patient during this time can prevent further neurologic injury and minimize common complications, optimizing the chance of functional recovery." Stroke care has two main objectives minimizing injury to brain tissue and preventing and treating the many neurologic and medical complications that can occur just after a stroke. The authors discuss the many complex factors that affect outcomes. For example, there is considerable evidence of a link between hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and poor outcomes after stroke. The authors recommend strict blood sugar control, using frequent finger-stick glucose checks and … Continue reading →

Submitted May 14, 2012 5:04PM Edward is one of the first hospitals in Illinois to use the Solitaire stent retriever to capture and remove clots that cause ischemic strokes. | Submitted storyidforme: 30483979 tmspicid: 11066256 fileheaderid: 5055927 Updated: May 15, 2012 2:03PM How well we move, think, communicate, regulate our bodily functions and manage our emotions depends on that amazingly complex organ the brain. A stroke, which cuts off delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, can create havoc with any of these abilities. And for about 135,000 Americans each year, these brain attacks are fatal. A recently FDA-approved weapon in the fight against ischemic strokes, the Solitaire FR clot removal device, is now available at Edward Hospitals Neurosciences Institute, a program thats affiliated with physicians of the Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation. Ischemic strokes are those caused by a blood clot (thrombus) reducing blood flow and, as a result, oxygen to the brain. Another type, hemorrhagic stroke, results from a rupture of a blood vessel that leaks into the brain. In March, an 84-year-old ischemic stroke patient was the first at Edward and one of the first in Illinois to be treated with the new Solitaire stent retriever for … Continue reading →

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Through its daily mission of elevating healthcare in Tampa Bay, Florida Hospital Tampa has been recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Associations (AHA/ASA) evidenced-based Get With The GuidelinesStroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for its commitment and success in implementing excellent care for stroke patients. With a stroke, time is the most critical factor in preventing permanent brain damage, and the Get With The GuidelinesStroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award demonstrates our long-term commitment to being one of the top hospitals in the country for providing aggressive, proven stroke care, said John Harding, president and chief executive officer of Florida Hospital Tampa Bay Division. We will continue with our focus on providing quality care, which includes incorporating evidence-based protocols to quickly, efficiently and safely treat stroke patients. According to the AHA/ASA, stroke is one of the leading causes of death and serious, long-term disability in the United States. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new stroke each year. In addition, stroke kills twice as many women as breast cancer every year, and it affects more women than men with 425,000 … Continue reading →