Orange County Neurosurgical Institute

Watch and be reminded of the many reasons we fight to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and discrimination is a barrier to care. Share the facts and join the fight. alz.org/facts

Did you know headaches can have a range of causes, from processed meats to bad posture? http://wb.md/2zio3RM

There's a difference between the signs of normal brain aging and Alzheimer's -- what you might notice:

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition in which the median nerve, a major nerve in the upper extremity t...hat travels down the arm and enters the hand through a very small gap called carpal tunnel located in the central part of the wrist, gets compressed in the carpal tunnel. This causes irritation of the nerve leading to tingling or pain. Typically, this disease affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Signs and Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome causes numbness, weakness, pain, or tingling in the hand or fingers. Some individuals experience pain in the arm between their elbow and hand. Symptoms generally may occur in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. Pain in the other fingers except little finger may be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome. Hands and fingers get weak. Slight pain in forearm and wrist. Pain will be severe at night. Feeling of relief just by shaking out the hand. Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal tunnel syndrome is first treated by conservative method. The general treatment includes complete rest for the wrist by wearing a splint. Cold therapy helps a lot to relieve the swelling and inflammation. Surgery is performed in severe cases. Carpal tunnel release is a very simple operation in which carpal ligament is cut in order to enlarge the carpal tunnel and relieve the pressure on the median nerve. This is done either by open technique or endoscopic technique. Physiotherapy for carpal tunnel syndrome is important in speeding up the healing process and to get the optimal results. Physiotherapy also decreases the likelihood of recurrences in the future. Physiotherapy may include: Soft tissue massage. Electrotherapy. Joint mobilization. Heat and ice treatments. Bracing or splinting. Exercises to improve strength and flexibility. Activity modification and training. Appropriate plan for return to activity.Soft tissue massage. Exercises for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Stretching and strengthening exercises are really helpful for the prevention from re-occurrence of symptoms. Pain free exercises are recommended. Aim for a full, pain-free range of motion before moving on to strengthening exercises. Wrist Flexor Stretch against a chair Method: Starting Position: Stand next to a chair. Lean forward and place your outstretched hand on top of the chair’s sitting surface with the palm facing and in contact with the surface of the chair. Action: In a slow and progressive manner push the wrist against the chair’s surface until you feel the resistance of the end of range. At end of range, hold the position for 15 seconds whilst breathing slowly and deeply. Ensure you keep the elbow fully extended throughout the exercise.

When you have hypothyroidism, you may not realize it at first. The symptoms come on slowly. What to watch for: https://wb.md/2PyqjAW

Every second counts when seeking treatment for a stroke. The F.A.S.T. test can help spot symptoms: https://wb.md/2LHxpBj

Happy Holidays!

"As much as MS is an awful disease, it has taught me a lot about myself and how strong I have been throughout these past 3 years. It can never be all of me, I w...on’t let it. As much as it can suck, it’s not the end of my life. I’m still here. I can still be myself and I won't let it take over my life. Life will always be a struggle no matter who you are. Being able to find your wings to be the best you is what really matters. You only have one life and don’t let anyone or anything stop you!" ~ An, @ancolyn on Instagram #ThisIsMS #MSWontStopUs #MultipleSclerosis

Many people can successfully manage symptoms of spinal stenosis with the following non-surgical therapies.

So inspired by Selma Blair, who has been so open about her multiple sclerosis diagnosisincluding some of the side effects you might not expect.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, a cervical herniated disc, and rheumatoid arthritis can all cause numbness in your hands. Make sure you have the correct diagnosis before you proceed with a treatment.

The severe pounding of a migraine can last for hours or days -- but head pain isn't the only symptom. https://wb.md/3iQ0dTm

Did you know both nuts and berries have been linked to better brain health? Blueberries and strawberries, in particular, help keep your brain working at its best and may slow symptoms linked to Alzheimer's.

Since there's no proven way to prevent Alzhiemer's disease, and no cure once you have it, experts call genetic tests that reveal your risk for it "unactionable" information -- so why do so many people opt to find out?

The severe pounding of a migraine can last for hours or days -- but pain isn't the only symptom. Migraines can impact other parts of your body, too.

If memory problems are seriously affecting your daily life, they could be early signs of Alzheimer's disease. While the number of symptoms you have and how strong they are vary, it’s important to identify the early signs. More information: https://wb.md/3h9TVxo

Happy Labor Day!