You’re likely well aware of the dangers of high cholesterol. Over time, elevated cholesterol — specifically LDL cholesterol, the kind many people refer to as “bad” cholesterol — causes your arteries to harden and narrow. Having high cholesterol can significantly increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. For most adults, less than 200 mg/dl … Continue reading Could low cholesterol actually raise your stroke risk?
Have you ever walked out of a dark movie theater in the middle of the day? Like most people, you probably squint and find the light uncomfortable for a brief period. This is an instance of photophobia (light sensitivity). Photophobia is described as a condition where light, natural or artificial, causes an abnormal sense of … Continue reading How to cope with photophobia
I frequently hear astonishment (and gratitude) in people’s voices when I tell them that headache specialists like me exist. But there is good reason for what we do. In fact, there are over 39 million headache sufferers in the United States and enough headache types to fill up giant textbooks — we’re talking more than … Continue reading How headaches change after you turn 50
Pregnancy is a magical time in any woman’s life, but mine turned out to be quite different from what I had imagined. I was seven months pregnant with my first child when the unexpected happened. What started as a quick trip to the store on the morning of December 14th, 2014, ended with being admitted … Continue reading What it’s like to have a stroke at 30 and pregnant
Many things in life are out of our control but fortunately, brain health isn’t one of those things. Did you know it’s possible to actually improve your brain’s performance from the inside out? Making the decision to appreciate, protect and nourish your brain with knowledge, nutrition and self-love will lead to a healthier brain — … Continue reading 10 steps to a happier, healthier brain
Adjusting to life after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is daunting, challenging and life-changing. A TBI affects all areas of a person’s life, from your physical and mental health to your relationships and career. Adjusting after this life-altering event can seem overwhelming. Through my work, I have helped many individuals living with brain injury return … Continue reading How an education-based support group helps traumatic brain injury survivors thrive
Imagine not being able to sleep, eat, shower or the other little things we all do every day without a thought. For years, this was my life with an aggressive form of early-onset Parkinson’s disease. I could barely live my life. But you know what really bothered me? That I couldn’t play with my son. … Continue reading How innovative brain surgery ended tremors for this Navy veteran with Parkinson’s
The story of medicine over the last 100 years has been one of tremendous progress. Over the past decade, care for stroke — a leading cause of death and disability in the United States — has seen particularly exciting advances. With all the media coverage about cancer and heart attack, though, stroke is often overlooked … Continue reading How stroke care is evolving to improve patient recovery
Stroke causes an estimated 140,000 deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The longer a stroke is in progress, the greater the risk of permanent brain damage or death. This is why Comprehensive Stroke Centers are designed around very rapid diagnosis and treatment. For every minute a patient is having a … Continue reading In stroke care and treatment, every minute matters
We all get fleeting headaches from time to time. They come without warning, annoy us for a few minutes or hours and eventually fade away. But when headaches occur frequently or cause intense pain, it can be disruptive to your everyday life and wellbeing. There are a few types of headaches and the symptoms of … Continue reading 5 surprising reasons why you might have a headache
