Boston, MA (PRWEB) February 24, 2011

on February 16, Donald Becker, Executive Vice President of the Kroger co., died as a result of a ruptured brain aneurysm, a condition that will affect more approximately 30,000 people in the United States this year. By raising awareness of the symptoms of unruptured brain aneurysms and helping first responders diagnose ruptured aneurysms, the Brain Aneurysm Foundation hopes to reduce the incidence of ruptures and save lives.

An estimated 3–6 million people in the U.S. have an unruptured brain aneurysm, a weak bulging on the wall of a brain artery, which can occur at any age.

Most people with unruptured brain aneurysms are completely asymptomatic; however, some people may experience warning signs which might suggest an aneurysm, such as cranial nerve palsy, dilated pupils, double vision, pain above and behind the eye and localized headaches. if a brain aneurysm is diagnosed early with proper screening, it is possible the aneurysm can be treated to prevent a rupture.

Approximately 30,000 people in the U.S. will suffer a ruptured brain aneurysm (cerebral hemorrhage) and of those that survive, only a third will not be impacted by disabilities. those suffering from a ruptured brain aneurysm will often have physical warning signs such as localized headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, blurred or double vision, sensitivity to light and loss of sensation. Early diagnosis of a ruptured aneurysm can make a significant difference in the recovery of the patient. With early detection, most brain aneurysms requiring treatment can be repaired with surgery or endovascular therapy.

To help ensure the proper diagnosis of brain aneurysms, the Brain Aneurysm Foundation has developed an educational video entitled Early Detection of Brain Aneurysms: Life vs. Death. Designed to educate primary care physicians, emergency room physicians and first responders on the early detection of brain aneurysms, this 20 minute video focuses on recognizing the symptoms related to a brain aneurysm and performing appropriate diagnostic brain imaging to determine if an aneurysm is present.

The Brain Aneurysm Foundation is the nation’s only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to providing critical awareness, education, support, and research funding to reduce the incidence of brain aneurysm ruptures. In 2010, the organization provided $110,000 in research grants to help further research that will promote a better understanding of why this condition happens and identify those at risk before an aneurysm rupture occurs. the organization also provides education materials and awareness information to healthcare professionals and the general population, as well as providing support for patients and their loved ones.

The Brain Aneurysm Foundation relies on fundraising support from individuals and organizations to continue to fund education and research to continue the fight against brain aneurysms.

About the Brain Aneurysm Foundation the Brain Aneurysm Foundation was established in Boston, MA on August 19, 1994 as a public charity. the Brain Aneurysm Foundation is the nation’s only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to providing critical awareness, education, support and research funding to reduce the incidence of brain aneurysm ruptures. For more information, visit: bafound.org.

Recent cases of meningitis in children in Southeast Nebraska have prompted the local and district health departments to inform the public about prevention of meningitis.

Did you know that there are approximately 1,000-1,200 cases of meningococcal disease in the United States each year?

Meningococcal disease, a type of bacterial meningitis, can be very serious — even life-threatening — in 48 hours or less.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), symptoms of meningococcal disease (an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord) are usually sudden onset of fever, headache, and stiff neck.

It can start with symptoms similar to influenza (flu), and will often also cause nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, rash, and confusion.

Even with antibiotic treatment, people die in about 10-15 percent of cases.

About 15 percent of survivors will have long-term disabilities, such as loss of limb(s), deafness, nervous system problems, or brain damage.

Meningococcal disease can be spread from person to person.

The bacteria are spread by exchanging respiratory and throat secretions during close or lengthy contact (for example, coughing or kissing), especially if living in the same dorm or household.

Many people carry the bacteria in their throats without getting meningococcal disease. since so many people carry the bacteria, most cases of meningococcal disease appear to be random and aren’t linked to other cases.

Although anyone can get meningococcal disease, adolescents and college freshmen who live in dormitories are at an increased risk.

Health precautions to avoid meningitis are the same as those generally recommended to avoid illness: wash your hands, cough in your elbow, stay home if you are ill, and contact a physician if you are very ill.

The good news is that there are vaccines to help prevent meningococcal disease. Meningococcal vaccine can prevent two of the three most common disease-causing strains.

The vaccine is routinely recommended for all 11-18 year olds. Kids should get this vaccine, known as the meningococcal conjugate vaccine, at their 11-12 year old check-up, along with other vaccines and preventive services.

If your teenager missed getting the vaccine at his/her check-up, ask the doctor about getting it now — especially if your child is heading off to college to live in a dorm.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine prevents meningitis, pneumonia (lung infection), epiglottitis (a severe throat infection), and other serious infections caused by a type of bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae type b. it is recommended for all children under 5 years old in the US, and it is usually given to infants starting at 2 months old.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) be given to all children younger than 5 years of age — to protect them when they are at greatest risk for serious diseases including meningitis caused by pneumococcal bacteria.

Children 6 to 18 years of age with certain underlying medical conditions (e.g., heart disease, lung disease, cancer) should also be vaccinated.

For more information contact the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department at 308-345-4223. you can also visit cdc.gov/meningitis/index.html for a good online resource.

MOSCOW, ID – the University of Idaho learned late Tuesday afternoon that a student is suspected to have bacterial meningitis.

The university is working collaboratively with Public Health – Idaho North Central District, and is notifying students, faculty, staff and parents of the situation.

For public health issues, the university responds on a case-by-case basis and is guided by the district health department in making recommendations and/ or taking precautionary measures.

Symptoms of bacterial meningitis usually involve high fever, headache, rash and stiff neck, which can develop over 1-2 days. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, discomfort looking into bright lights, confusion and sleepiness. anyone suffering from these symptoms should seek immediate care.

Transmission occurs by droplets or direct contact with infected nasal or throat secretions. Early treatment with antibiotics may effectively get rid of the bacteria. the risk to the general public of contracting this infection is very low.

University health officials encourage students, specifically students living in close quarters such as Greek housing and residence halls, to get the meningitis vaccine at Student Health or Quick Care.

Bacterial meningococcal infections are rare and can cause infection of the lining of the brain, spinal cord and blood. In the State of Idaho, there are between 10-20 cases reported each year.

3 weeks ago maybe 4 i cut my pinky on a fence as i was hopping it, it was like a sharp thing ontop of the fence, it cut it pretty deep. i thought i needed stiches, i showed it to my mom and she immediatly brong up tetanus. im 19, work off the books so i have no medical insurance, so i showed it to my dad and he put butterfly stitches on it and said it would be alright. ok so now about 3-4 weeks later im at my friends party and when im leaving my moron friend decides it would be funny to trip me as im running to my friends car, so i hit the ground land right ontop of my other pinky, it kinda snapped in half, and i snapped it back into place(only putting this here cause idk if you can get tetanus from crushing a bone)so the next morning i wake up extremely sick, i don't know if it was a hangover or what, but i was sick. started off just being a mild fever, and a lot of throwing up, towards the middle of the day i started getting like spasms in my stomach, had some difficulty breathing(which i get on occasion, i am heavy smoker). so that day passes and the next morning i wake up, not that sick anymore but i got a stiff neck, chest still hurts when i breathe, and the arm of which my pinky was cut felt pretty stiff. ok so that day passes, now its today, i wake up my neck wasnt as stiff as yesterday, my arm still feels stiff, and my chest is still hurting. i don't remember the last time i got a tetanus shot, maybe when i was 9 or 10? im 19 now, i didnt wanna tell all this information to my mom because she would have spazzed out, so can someone let me know whats going on am? do you think i have tetanus or am i being paranoid?