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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Can't sleep in Concord, Huntersville, and Denver NC?


Can't sleep no matter how cozy your bed is in Concord, Huntersville, and Denver NC? It may be a more serious condition than you think. Sleep is such a normal part of our lives, and since we are not conscious while it is happening and a good night of rest seems to pass in a blink of an eye, most of us do not normally think about the fact that we a third of our lives in bed.

Not only is sleep vital for our survival – the body and brain require ample amounts of good sleep every day – but it is also vital for our happiness and psychological well-being. For these reasons and more, when there is any kind of problem with our sleep schedule – no matter how minor – it can have devastating effects on our health and quality of life.  For that reason, there are thousands of neurologists, sleep labs and sleep centers that are available to help you with your sleep problems, including NorthEast Neurology.

What kind of doctor should I see if I can't sleepConcord, Huntersville, and Denver NC?

Neurology is an areaof medicine that treats diseases affecting the nervous system, brain, muscles, and spinal cord. Since sleep and sleep disorders are generally considered to fall under the category of neurological medicine, a patientwho complains of sleep problems, will often be referred doctor to neurologists who specialize in sleep disorders.

What about sleep centers and sleep labs for people who can't sleep?

If you can’t sleep and go to a neurologist regarding your sleep problems, he or she may ask you to spend the night in a sleep center or sleep lab. At the sleep center, they will give you a comfortable bed where you will sleep for the night while technicians monitor virtually every aspect of your breathing, mental activity, and other important factors in order to collect information that your neurologist will use to deduce the exact cause and source of your sleep problems. Your neurologist will even pay attention to your snoring at the Concord area sleep lab, because snoring can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition.

What could be the reason I can’t sleep?

When you can’t sleep, many different factors can be at play. Lifestyle choices, such as caffeine, alcohol, or simply keeping irregular bedtimes could be the reason. External factors in your environment such as traffic noise, snoring bedmate, or hot and cold temperatures in your bedroom could be the cause of your sleep problems. Physiological problems like sleep apnea, bodily aches and pains, and menstruation might be why you can't sleep. Or, it could be psychological; you might be worried or stressed, or simply depressed. The neurologists at NorthEast Neurology in Concord, Huntersville and Denver NC can help find the reason you can’t sleep.

If you can't sleep, a neurologist can help

People who are not sleeping well in Concord, Huntersville, and Denver NC can visit the expert neurological staff at NorthEast Neurology. If you can’t sleep, learn more about NorthEast Neurology right now by visiting their website at www.NorthEastNeurology.org.

Monday, January 23, 2012

MS symptoms treatable in Concord NC!


MS symptoms are as unique as the individual they strike. No two people have exactly the same symptoms,which may fluctuate over time, making the disorder a challenge to diagnose. Early symptoms of MS can be hard to spot, but neurologists are able to determine if you are experiencing early symptoms of MS through a neurological exam and tests that include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), evoked potentials (EP), and spinal fluid analysis. If you think you are experiencing MS symptoms, call the neurologists at NorthEast Neurology for an appointment today!

Early symptoms of MS hard to spot

MS symptoms can wax and wane, making it difficult for patients to know what they are experiencing. Early symptoms of MS are even more difficult to identify, but the earlier patients seek treatment, the better the treatment prognosis. Understanding the most common MS symptoms can help identify if you are having early symptoms of MS, and then get the help you need from neurologists to stave off further progression. The most common MS symptoms include fatigue; numbness; walking; balance and coordination problems; bladder dysfunction and/or bowel dysfunction; vision problems; dizziness and vertigo; and sexual dysfunction. Numbness and vision problems are often the first symptoms experienced by people who are eventually diagnosed with MS. Numbness can occur in the face, body or limbs. Vision problems include a sudden onset of double vision, poor contrast, eye pain or heavy blurring. This symptom can be understandably terrifying, and often a cause of great anxiety about the future for people with multiple sclerosis. MS symptoms are frightening, but neurologists have more medications than ever that can stave off the development or recurrence of symptoms, especially if MS is caught in its earliest stages.

MS symptoms treated by medications and therapies

MS symptoms are treatable and can be managed quite effectively by neurologists at NorthEast Neurology Clinic. MS symptoms are managed through a combination of medication, self-care techniques, rehabilitation with a variety of therapists, and the use of assistive devices. Medications to modify the disease course are available to stave off symptoms, but there are also many medications that are used to treat symptoms as they occur. MS symptoms don’t have to be something Huntersville and Denver NC patients should grin and bear when neurologists have the knowledge, medicine and experience to help them live a more comfortable, productive life.

MS symptoms cover a broad spectrum, and some are more common than others. Early MS symptoms include fatigue, numbness of face, body or limbs, and vision problems. If you live in the Concord NC area and are experiencing any of these early MS symptoms, it is important to make an appointment with NorthEast Neurology to get the earliest and best treatment possible.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Early diagnosis: Key to best treatment for Concord NC Parkinsons patients


Symptoms of Parkinsons, a slow-progressing brain disorder, are treatable under neurologist’s care. Key to the best treatment is the early diagnosis through detection of four major motor Parkinson’s symptoms:
  • Shaking or tremor in hands, legs, arms, tongue or jaw
  • Slowness of movement
  • stiffness or rigidity of the arms, legs or trunk
  • trouble with balance and possible falls
If you have any of these symptoms over a period of time, you should make an appointment with NorthEast Neurology right away. Parkinson’s is best treated when diagnosed early!
Parkinsons disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder whose symptoms are caused by damage to the chemical dopamine, located in specific areas of the brain. Dopamine coordinates smooth muscle movements from the brain to the body, and when 60 to 80 percent of dopamine-producing cells are damaged, patients experience Parkinsons symptoms. 
Parkinson's responds well to early treatment, and patients who know the ten warning signs of  Parkinsons diseaseParkinson’s disease seek neurology help sooner and with better treatment success. Ten warning signs of Parkinson’s include tremor, small handwriting, loss of smell, trouble sleeping, trouble moving or walking, constipation, a soft or low voice, masked face, dizziness and fainting, and stooping or hunching over. If you experience any of these symptoms over a period of time, or friends and family have told you they notice these symptoms.
If you suspect Parkinson’s is affecting your quality of life, make an appointment today at NorthEast Neurology in Concord, Huntersville, and Denver NC!

Quality of life improvement for MS symptoms sufferers

Have you or your loved one been experiencing the following early symptoms of MS (multiple sclerosis)?  


  • fatigue
  • difficulty walking
  • numbness
  • bladder or bowel dysfunction
  • vision problems
  • dizziness or vertigo
  • sexual dysfunction
  • pain
  • cognitive dysfunction;
  • emotional changes
  • depression
  • involuntary tightening or spasm of muscles
If you have then it would be best to visit your trusted Huntersville and Denver NC neurologists to rule out MS. According to  Denver NC neurologists, Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable disorder of the central nervous system that affects the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Essentially, the natural defense system of your body attacks myelin, a fatty substance surrounding and protecting nerve fibers of your central nervous system. MS symptoms are not always easy to identify from other disorders, but a neurology visit is an important first step in making a diagnosis and beginning treatment. 

MS symptoms vary from person to person, but they can be debilitating. A visit to NorthEast Neurology can help patients manage early MS symptoms, and possibly reduce the number of relapses and slow down the course of the disease. Neurologists can prescribe any number of FDA-approved medications to modify the course of the disease and treat symptom flare-ups. When patients go in for a neurology examination, they should discuss every symptom so that their neurologist can plan effective, individualized treatments. Early signs of MS may be frightening and debilitating, but when Denver NC area patients seek help from neurologists at NorthEast Neurology they are on the right track to positive disease management!

Alzheimers disease versus normal aging symptoms


Most people do not know the early symptoms of Alzheimers disease. They would even mistake these symptoms for normal signs of aging. Best treated when diagnosed early, Alzheimers have symptoms that must be distinguished from normal age-related memory loss and confusion. Because there is no single test for Alzheimers; neurologists recommend the following:
  • a thorough medical exam
  • mental status testing
  • physical exam
  • neurological exam
Other tests may also be conducted to rule out other contributing factors to dementia-like symptoms. According to the Alzheimers Association, the following are Alzheimers symptoms  that mimic normal aging :
  • memory changes that disrupt daily life
  • challenges in planning or solving problems
  • difficulty completing normal tasks
  • confusion with time or place
  • trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships
  • new problems with words in speaking or writing
  • misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
  • decreased or poor judgment
  • withdrawal from work or social activities
  • changes in mood or personality

Normal aging symptoms are mild and do not progress in frequency or severity. To know whether you or a loved one is experiencing early signs of Alzheimers, the best thing to do is schedule a neurology appointment for a thorough medical exam. NorthEast Neurology provides a caring and understanding neurological staff to help, at locations in Concord, Huntersville, and Denver NC.