“Measuring how well this network’s connections are working may provide a way to look beyond the wide-ranging symptoms of MS to help us quantify the disorder’s effects on the brain,” says co-author Maurizio Corbetta, MD, the Norman J. Stupp Professor of Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “This assessment could be very useful in diagnosing the disease and tracking the effectiveness of new treatments.”

Scientists at Washington University and the University Medical Center at Hamburg-Eppendorf and the University of Tübingen, both in Germany, published the results in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

MS damages brain cell branches, impairing the cells’ ability to communicate. The disease is highly unpredictable and produces a hodgepodge of symptoms that vary from patient to patient. These include fatigue, numbness, dizziness, pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction, visual impairments, speech disorders, headache, depression and problems with balance, coordination and walking.

The brain can redirect energy and resources to make it possible for more signals to flow through damaged circuits. but in MS, the researchers speculate, that redirection may lead to a decrease in the brain’s ability to reconfigure itself for different cognitive tasks, such as speaking, processing sensory information, controlling movement, regulating mood and creating and accessing memory.

The current study focused on whether correlations could be made between the structural damage caused by MS, the cognitive problems experienced by patients and changes in brain networking, which refers to the ability of various regions in the brain to work with each other.

The study involved 16 patients who had been diagnosed with MS in the previous four years. For comparison, scientists also included 16 healthy individuals. all participants were given an extensive battery of behavioral and cognitive tests, as well as brain scans to look for structural damage. Researchers also evaluated the connectedness of brain regions that often work together in networks.

The scientists could see damage to brain cell branches on the scans of MS patients. The greater the damage, the more likely patients were to experience difficulties with brain function. These problems affected a range of cognitive domains, including decision-making, memory, attention and other factors. Researchers found that changes in one component of cognitive function that they defined as “cognitive efficiency” correlated with the great majority of symptoms and deficits measured by the battery of cognitive and behavioral tests.

The scientists also showed that patients with lower cognitive efficiency had enhanced connections in the brain’s default mode network. This network is one of many that supports brain function; it is only active when the brain is not engaged in a particular mental task. Increases in default mode network connectivity gave a direct index of the degree of impairment in cognitive efficiency.

“This correlation is very surprising because normally we would expect cognitive efficiency to improve with increases in the connectivity of the default mode network,” says lead author David Hawellek, a graduate student at the University Medical Center at Hamburg-Eppendorf. “Prior studies have found that the strength of connections in the default mode network is a direct indicator of how well other networks can interact to support brain function. but that doesn’t seem to be the case here.”

The observation may result from the fact that the MS patients had only been recently diagnosed. Corbetta speculates that if scientists scan the patients’ brains again in a few years, more extensive damage from MS would likely impair connectivity in the default mode network.

“Another possibility is that the brain’s response to structural damage from MS may cause the various brain networks to lose their flexibility to interact with each other to support brain function,” says senior author Andreas K. Engel, MD, PhD, professor of physiology at the University Medical Center at Hamburg-Eppendorf. “The networks might thus have become less variable, more often interacting among themselves instead of with other networks.”

Such a change could register as increased default mode network connectivity on scans, Engel says, but might actually indicate impaired cognitive function in early-stage MS patients.

MS symptoms tend to flare in intensity episodically. These unpredictable flares, known as relapses, involve worsening of symptoms and the development of new problems. None of the patients in the study was having a relapse. Scientists plan to follow up on their findings by gathering data on the same brain characteristics from individuals who are relapsing.

“This may give us additional insights into the relationship between changes in brain networks and problems in cognition,” Engel says. “if we can understand the dynamics that lead to these episodes, that may help us find better ways to predict and prevent them.”

more information: Hawellek DJ, Hipp JF, Lewis CM, Corbetta M, Engel AK. Increased functional connectivity indicates the severity of cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Nov. 22, 2011.

Provided by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (news : web)

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DALLAS, Aug. 31 (UPI) — Parents should take time to review the latest guidelines about concussions before their children head for the practice fields, a U.S. physician says.

Dr. Robert Dimeff, director of family sports medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, advises parents to look over the athletic equipment to be used and make sure it fits properly, particularly the helmet.

Make sure your child-athlete knows how to wear it properly and does so in practice, Dimeff says.

“Parents, coaches and student athletes should know what symptoms to pay attention to,” Dimeff says in a statement. “The signs and symptoms can come immediately after the impact or even days later.”

In addition, athletes need to let a parent, coach or other adult know if they are feeling signs such as headache or “pressure” in their head, nausea or vomiting, balance problems or dizziness, blurry vision, sensitivity to light or noise, drowsiness or fatigue and concentration problems or confusion, Dimeff advises.

Parents should also note mood or behavioral changes, including athletes appearing stunned, dazed or confused about homework, particularly work that was not difficult before an injury, Dimeff says.

“Those symptoms justify a doctor’s visit so a concussion isn’t overlooked,” Dimeff adds.

Jaundice, which causes yellowing of the skin, is present in approximately 50% of patients at the time of diagnosis and may be associated with less-advanced disease. Other symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, discomfort in the abdomen, loss of appetite, and glucose intolerance.
In addition, you may experience pain in the abdomen and back. The pancreas may produce too much insulin, causing such symptoms as dizziness, weakness, diarrhea, chills, or muscle spasms.

Pancreatic cancer is characterized by anorexia, weakness, dramatic weight loss, epigastric or back pain, jaundice, prutitus, an abdominal mass that a doctor can feel, the recent onset of diabetes, and clay-colored stools if the pancreatic ducts are obstructed. Non functioning islet cell lesions produce gastrin, causing symptoms of peptic ulcer or in some cases , acute diarrhea and low potassium Hope this is of help to you.

HELP! I have exessive mucus in throat, burping up acid, and kinda short breath. Help! I don't want to die!

what ur symptoms sounds like is acid reflux. cystic fibrosis some of the symptoms for that is depression and body aches,sore joints, and dizziness; those are some of the symptoms for cystic fibrosis. if u really want to get a full list of it google it or go to ur doctor.

if youre old enough to type that question out and havent been diagnosed with CF yet, you probably dont have it. its a severe disease so usually its not something that would go unnoticed and you dont just suddenly get it. you probably just have a cold or bronchitis or something of that nature, maybe at worst mild pneumonia. see a doctor if it doesnt get better.

I don't think you have CF. there are many forms of CF tho. my brother's symptoms included salty skin (no liquid to sweat, just salt crystals), fatty bowel movements (as in ..completely liquid, orange in color and EVERY time…), extreme excessive mucous, nasal polyps, difficulty gaining and retaining weight, loss of appetite, or the complete opposite, extreme appetite with little results from eating non stop, difficulty breathing, etc.
Oh…and it is not an illness that is just for children, most of the time kids are diagnosed (now days) by their first birthday, but there are still a few mild cases that go un noticed until teen or adult hood. It is also a life long illness, it is a terminal illness. there is no cure, and it's not like the chicken pocks where you get it once and then you're fine…It involves a lifetime of medications, doctor visits, tests, pokes, and more meds!

Cystic Fibrosis is something your born with not something you develop later in life.

I looked up some syptoms for you. the following are the most common symptoms for cystic fibrosis. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

abnormalities in the glands that produce sweat and mucus
This may cause a loss of salt. a loss of salt may cause an upset in the balance of minerals in the blood, abnormal heart rhythms, and, possibly, shock.

thick mucus that accumulates in the lungs and intestines
This may cause malnutrition, poor growth, frequent respiratory infections, breathing difficulties, and/or lung disease.

Don't worry, just go to your doctor. (BTW normally this is a disease for kids)

I fell ill on Friday with a headache, chills, sore throat, cough and high fever. now I am experiencing pain in the abdomen, sudden bouts of dizziness and difficulty catching my breath. I've heard that these are warning signs of severe H1N1. does anyone know anything about this flu? should I be seeking medical attention?

It's my opinion (and I'm not a doctor) that if you could type that question, you're not really that bad. H1N1 gives you a really high temperature, like you'd be burning up.

If your temp goes over 101 Fahrenheit, get to the doctor. Otherwise, no school for joo, lots of orange juice, and sleep, sleep, sleep.

I have some dizziness from cervical arthrosis. it is not really a vertigo, just unsteadiness. my doctor want me to take Trimetazidine 35mg twice a day. anyone with experience with this med? here in my country the commercial name is Vastarel MR from "Les Laboratoires Servier", France.

well beginning about 10 yrs ago i started having trouble with my eye sight blurred vision floaters and things like that and over the years it seems that is getting better but still have trouble sometimes now i have had weakness in my arms and legs . i am in pain all the time in my back legs feet arms neck problems , depression dizziness sometimes i dont know what to do i really dont im thinking very serouisly about asking my doctor to test me for MS . anybody out there have it and could tell me what their symptoms was ?

Multiple Sclerosis (abbreviated MS, also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis disseminata) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). MS can cause a variety of symptoms, including changes in sensation, visual problems, muscle weakness, depression, difficulties with coordination and speech, severe fatigue, cognitive impairment, problems with balance, overheating, and pain. MS will cause impaired mobility and disability in more severe cases.

hope i helped, please rate my answer:)

the only thing i know off hand about it is that it becomes painful to walk and there is pain in the back and legs, etc….
Hope things turn out well for you

I have a friend with advanced MS. She has had none of your symptoms. It actually sounds like you may have ME which is not very nice but temporary. MS is a condition which causes gradual paralysis in the body. My friend's symptoms were all to do with numbness initially, especially in her mouth and tongue.

I have a different autoimmune disease, but it mimics MS. one difference is there are no sure tests for MS, but blood tests can tell if you have Antiphospholipid Syndrome I am including 2 links for you about this seldom tested for disease. It is considered rare, but I know for a fact that it is very common. best wishes.

With temperatures shooting up every day, one is likely to witness a large number of summer-related illnesses. As it’s also holiday time, most of us are likely to spend more time outdoors, thus increasing our exposure to the heat and the dust. Heat-related ailments can be harmful if not addressed immediately and sensibly. Children, the elderly and those working outdoors must be extra careful during summer as they are most vulnerable to the heat. The most common heat-related diseases that affect people during this season include dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, skin diseases, heat strokes and water-borne diseases like diarrhoea.it is imperative to take proper safety measures when you develop muscle cramps in the legs, get fatigued or feel weak after staying out in the sun. These are the first symptoms of heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Dehydration Dehydration or loss of fluids, water and electrolytes in the body increases the risk of heat stroke. Every day we lose body fluids through sweating, excretion, breathing and tears. These body fluids are generally be replaced by drinking water or juice, and consuming foods that have water. Symptoms of dehydration include thirst, light-headedness, dry skin, fatigue, less-frequent urination, dizziness, muscle cramping and dryness in the mouth. Children may also experience irritability, dryness in the mouth, lack of vigour and energy, less or no urination (for over 3 hours), depressed cheeks, abdomen or eyes, high fever and skin that does not flatten when pinched.Precautions If detected early, dehydration can be cured at home under a doctor’s advice. Serious cases of dehydration should be treated as medical emergencies, and hospitalisation may be necessary.*Drink plenty of fluids if you are exposed to the sun. you must drink more fluids than what your body loses.*If possible, avoid outdoor activities between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.*Wear a cap and carry an umbrella if you must go out in the afternoons.*Drink fresh fruit juice to help maintain electrolyte balance.*Drink only boiled and cooled water. This is mandatory for infants, children and the elderly.Heat stroke Heat stroke (or sun stroke) occurs due to overexposure to sun and/or extremely high temperatures. it is the most severe form of heat illness and can be fatal if timely medical attention is not given. Heat stroke can lead to permanent damage of the internal organs and result in death as well. not sweating enough to lower the body temperature is the primary symptom of a heat stroke. The condition can develop quickly and needs immediate medical attention.The human body produces heat, which is dissipated generally through sweating. however, under certain circumstances, such as high humidity, severe heat or vigorous physical activities in the sun,? the body might not dissipate heat quickly. This causes body temperature to rise to a dangerous level. Dehydration can cause heat stroke if the person does not sweat enough to cool off.Heat stroke symptoms may include headache, dizziness, high body temperature, flushed, dry and hot skin without sweat, confusion or disorientation, fatigue or sluggishness, rapid heart beat, seizure and hallucinations. If someone has suffered a heat stroke, move the person indoors, apply ice packs to the groin and armpits, sprinkle cool water and fan the person to stimulate sweat. call for medical assistance as quickly as you can. to prevent a heat stroke, follow the precautions suggested to avoid dehydration.DiarrhoeaIn summer, diarrhoea generally occurs due to food poisoning. Summer is characterised by high heat as well as humidity that are considered as main factors for high contamination of food with bacteria, since bacteria thrive in such conditions. PrecautionsMany cases of diarrhoea are spread from person to person. *Caregivers should wash their hands carefully after changing diapers, or helping the patient use the bathroom.*Children should be instructed to wash their hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom.*Practise safe food-handling. Always wash hands before and after handling food.*Cook food to the right temperature and store it in clean containers.*Fruits and vegetables, consumed raw, should be rinsed thoroughly.*Do not consume foods from street vendors.

I'm 16 and got diagnosed with POTS this January when I was 15. Ive had all the common symptoms of POTS for about 3 years. it started off with extreme fatigue and heaviness in my legs that made me not able to walk. Then a year later I started getting dizziness, excessive headaches, and blackouts upon standing. A few months after that I got a tilt table test and got diagnosed with POTS. I was put on medicine to help the dizziness and headaches. Also I just got put on a beta blocker for fast heart rate and palpitations. my blood pressure also gets very low when I stand. but now knew symptoms have started taking place in the past few months. I am getting terrible joint pain all over especially in my knees and have noticed some swelling or maybe fluid in my knees? Ive always had weird joints in my knees though like there all wobbly and sometimes when I walk i feel like they move around. Ive also been getting extreme stomach pains. And a couple months ago I felt like I was unable to speak sometimes, but that hasn't happened in a while. sometimes when i'm laying down I feel like I cannot move my arms or legs. I get tingling and numbness in my hands and feet. I also have sleep paralysis. I read about lyme and I know you can get POTS from it and the knew symptoms im getting seems similar to lyme symptoms. I was wondering if you could get these knew symptoms of mine with just POTS? Also it never was clear how I got POTS. the doctors think rapid growth. Also 3 years ago right before the symptoms first started I got a terrible sinus infection and then mono so i dont know if thats how I got POTS. in the beggining when all this started I never got a large round rash and a fever like most people who get lyme. And I really cant remember if I got flu like symptoms. I know if lyme goes untreated you can get all these symptoms i'm having but can you get it with POTS too???? I'm going to see one of the top doctors who specialize in POTS in 2 weeks, should I talk to them about getting tested for lyme?

Alyssa Tepfenhart,
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia, often more simply referred to as postural tachycardia syndrome or POTS, is a syndrome. as such, there is a collection of symptoms that distinguish it. the symptoms are widespread because the autonomic nervous system plays an extensive role in regulating functions throughout the body. the disorder is characterized by the body's inability to make the necessary adjustments to counteract gravity when standing up. the defining symptom of POTS is an excessive heart rate increment upon standing. However, there are a multitude of other symptoms that often accompany this syndrome. Many of these symptoms, such as low blood pressure, may present only after prolonged standing. Symptoms will vary from person to person. as such, POTS can be a difficult disorder to detect and understand. While the etiology of POTS is still unclear, it most likely represents a heterogenous group of disorders with similar clinical characteristics. the largest group of patients appear to have a mild form of idiopathic peripheral autonomic neuropathy (a “partial dysautonomia”), in which an inability to increase peripheral vascular resistance during upright posture results in an excessive compensatory postural tachycardia. on the other hand, Lyme disease is a bacterial illness which is caused by a bacterium called a "spirochete." in the United States, the actual name of the bacterium is Borrelia burgdorferi. in Europe, another bacterium, Borrelia afzelii, also causes Lyme disease. certain ticks found on deer harbour the bacterium in their stomachs. Lyme disease is spread by these ticks when they bite the skin, which permits the bacterium to infect the body and the disease affects different areas of the body in varying degrees as it progresses. the classic initial rash is called "erythema migrans" although more than one in four patients never even develop a rash. the redness of the skin is often accompanied by generalized fatigue, muscle and joint stiffness, swollen lymph nodes ("swollen glands"), and headache, resembling symptoms of a virus infection. the redness resolves, without treatment, in about a month. Weeks to months after the initial redness of the skin the bacteria and their effects spread throughout the body. Subsequently, disease in the joints, heart, and nervous system can occur. So if you consider that you should ask to be tested for Lyme disease, by all means do so, as that is your right. but you might be better advised to ask your examining doctor, when you attend in two weeks time, if your symptoms are in any way consistant with those of Lyme disease or if Lyme disease might be suspected as the causative factor. I wish you well.

ALL ANSWERS SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED, IN ANY FORUM AND ESPECIALLY IN THIS ONE. – MANY ANSWERS ARE FLAWED.

It is extremely important to obtain an accurate diagnosis before trying to find a cure. Many diseases and conditions share common symptoms.

The information provided here should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Hope this helps
matador 89

Many Lyme patients also have POTS. who knows which came first?

It's worth being evaluated for Lyme disease. unfortunately, for lots of complicated reasons, most doctors (even specialists) don't know much about Lyme. you need to do your own research on the subject, and then get to someone who can help you.

Good sources of info about Lyme disease:
lymedisease.org
ilads.org
canlyme.com
lymeinfo.net
lymediseaseassociation.org
lymenet.org
igenex.com
lymedoctor.com
touchedbylyme.org
facebook.com/lymedisease.org

is that true?

In myocardial infarction the first symptom is often the most pressing constrictor chest pain, which often extends to the left arm, neck, jaw or the area between the vanes.

Nausea and vomiting are some of the symptoms although not the most common ones.
The textbook symptoms are crushing chest pain which may radiate to the left arm and jaw, dizziness, lightheadedness, profuse sweating, difficulty breathing, sense of doom.
Of course not everyone presents the same.