Signs And Symptoms Of Brain Problems

Brains are very complex organs. Each day we depend on them to help us do the simplest things such as brushing our teeth to solving the most complex problems, like whether to apply for a new job or not. There are certain injuries and sicknesses that can stop the brain from functioning the way it used to or the way others do.

The first kind of brain problem that can occur is caused by trauma. This can be a impact of the head of any kind from mild to severe. Head trauma can cause skull fractures, hematoma and contusions of the brain tissue. Where and how hard you are hit will partly determine the extent of the damage of the brain injury.

Headaches are also a type of brain problem or symptom. These can range from simple headaches to more painful headaches such as migraines. If you are finding your headaches are more frequent or longer lasting it is possible it is pointing to some bigger problem with your overall brain health.

One of the most serious brain injuries that can occur is a brain aneurysm. An aneurysm is a weak blood vessel in the brain. If this aneurysm bursts before you get to a medical professional it could be potentially fatal. The usual symptoms are a terrible headache that comes on quickly you could also experience double vision, neck stiffness and eye pain.

Another serious medical condition that can product brain symptoms is a stroke. A stroke can occur when the brain is temporarily deprived of oxygen which can be caused from a few different reasons. Strokes can have lasting effects in some cases including headaches, confusion memory loss or paralysis.

Although some brain traumas such as headaches are simple and will go away on their own there are some symptoms that require immediate medical treatment. These symptoms include change in consciousness, change in mental status such as hallucinations or lethargy, double vision, difficulty walking, garbled speech, loss of muscle use and severe stiff necks or headaches. If you experience any of these symptoms it is best to dial emergency right away.

Keeping the brain in optimal condition is essential to your overall brain health. If you suspect you may have a brain injury or are experiencing any of these symptoms you should consider getting checked by a doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you find out the problem the less likely you are to experience long term brain issues.

Nathanael Eisenberg is the CEO of CogniFit, a company that develops software which measure and train cognitive abilities. We help people discover new insights about themselves and decide what to improve in their life.

The rapid growth of scientific knowledge around the brain creates new opportunities to help tackle some of the major challenges of the early part of the 21st century. Nathanael's goal is to participate in the search of some of these additional solutions.

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Five Common Problems With ADHD Medications

Once a child receives an ADHD diagnosis, he or she must be treated for the disorder immediately, but many parents understand this to mean a quick and easy solution. ADHD medications are the most popular treatment for this very reason. Children who pop a pill experience immediate benefits - they can sustain their attention for long periods of time, control their impulses, and stop any hyperactive behavior. Unfortunately, these benefits come at a cost; stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin cause a wide range of side effects. Below are the five most common problems experienced by children who take medication for ADHD.

Half-life problems

A drug's half-life means the amount of time it takes for a medication to reach 50% of its effectiveness. A medication with a longer half-life means it will take more time for the drug to become 100% effective. This type of drug should be taken at a certain time so that the bloodstream will receive a steady dose throughout the day. Drugs with a shorter half-life should also be taken as directed. Otherwise, the child experiences discontinuation syndrome, a condition where a child experiences irritability, difficulty sleeping, and flu-like symptoms that persist for several weeks.

Side effects of stimulants

Stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall are the most prescribed drugs for ADHD, but they come with a host of serious side effects. The most common ones include insomnia, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, anxiety, weight loss, and increase in blood pressure. If the dose is not reduced, stimulants may cause cardiac problems, even among children with no previous record of heart disease.

Side effects of non-stimulants

Non-stimulant drugs like Strattera are thought to be safer alternatives to Ritalin because they produce fewer and less severe side effects. However, they are not as effective as stimulants and come with their own set of problems. Some common side effects are sleep problems, headache, grogginess/sleepiness, nausea, and vomiting.

Effects last too long

Some ADHD medications like Concerta are designed to be long-acting and last for around `12 hours. The effect should wear off by dinner time, but some children are so sensitive to the drug that they're still up and about by bedtime.

Medications aren't working

Many children jump from drug to drug because they don't deliver the results parents want, or because they don't provide any benefits at all. If this sounds like your child, consider getting a second opinion to see if he or she really has ADHD. Another great option is to try drug-free ADHD treatments like diets, neurofeedback, or detoxification. For best results and successful long-term ADHD management, seek a doctor who can provide a multimodal treatment plan - a comprehensive recovery plan that combines several scientifically-tested ADHD natural treatments.

Dr. Yannick Pauli is an expert on natural approaches to ADHD and the author of the popular self-help home-program The Unritalin Solution. He is Director of the Centre Neurofit in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a passion taking care of children with ADHD. Click on the link for more great information about what is ADHD.

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Adult ADHD: Common Problems and Symptoms

ADHD in children is a little more obvious and easier to detect. As the name suggests, attention deficit hyperactive disorder is a condition characterized by the inability to sit still, pay attention for prolonged periods of time, or controlling one's impulses. Come adolescence and adulthood, the hyperactive ADHD symptoms tend to get replaced by a host of other problems related to behavior, mood, and productivity. Adult ADHD still comes with difficulties paying attention, remembering information, and completing tasks. However, the disorder is also more likely to cause the following related problems if the person does not seek help immediately.

Relationship problems

All couples experience problems at some point in their relationship, but having ADHD tends to complicate these issues. ADHD symptoms can be very erratic - an adult with ADHD may be extremely open and loving one day but hyperfocused in a couple of hours. This can be very confusing for a partner to deal with, especially when their loved one suddenly seems cold or distant for no reason. Adults with ADHD also tend to have short fuses that can be set off by almost anything. The partner of such an adult is often left confused and angry about the outbursts that seem to occur from out of nowhere. It's hardly surprising that adults with ADHD tend to have more marital problems, multiple marriages, and higher incidences of divorce or separation.

Career problems

An adult with ADHD faces a lot of challenges at work. Poor time management, disorganization, and distractibility are just some of the symptoms that can impair one's productivity and performance. Even symptoms like interrupting others or blurting blunt statements can make a negative impact on one's relationship with co-workers and colleagues. All of these traits increase one's risk of losing a promotion or getting fired.

Another problem adults with ADHD contend with at work is their need for stimulation and excitement. Almost every job requires doing mundane, repetitive tasks, which can trigger boredom that sidetracks the adult and causing his or her performance to suffer. For these reasons, adults with ADHD are likely to change employers frequently or have fewer occupational achievements.

It's important for adults with ADHD to be able to find work they consider interesting. Once they find a job they feel passionate about, their performance usually soars and their symptoms seem to have a smaller impact on their work.

Emotional problems

Adults with ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, low frustration tolerance, and mood swings. Experts believe that these emotional problems are either caused by ADHD themselves or their difficulties dealing with the symptoms. These problems also increase the risk of substance abuse or addiction, getting into motor vehicle accidents, impulsive shopping, or eating disorders.

Adult ADHD can be treated

Reading this list of problems might sound a bit discouraging, but adults with ADHD don't have to be slaves to their symptoms forever. There are many treatment options available to adults, from medication to behavior therapy. While ADHD cannot be outgrown, adults can learn to adapt and work around their symptoms so they can develop their strengths and live productive, meaningful lives.

Dr. Yannick Pauli is an expert on natural approaches to ADHD and the author of the popular self-help home-program The Unritalin Solution. He is Director of the Centre Neurofit in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a passion taking care of children with ADHD. Click on the link for more great information about what is adhd.

View the original article here ezine.com