Central Nervous System

Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome characterized by specific muscle, joint, or bone pain, fatigue and a large range of other symptoms. There is usually a heightened sensitivity to the skin, tingling of the skin, achiness in the muscles, limb weakness and nerve pain. This condition is seen in 3 percent to 6 percent of the general population and is often diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50 years old.

Hemifacial Spasm – see Blepharospasm

Huntington Disease

Huntington disease is a genetic, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the gradual development of involuntary muscle movements affecting the hands, feet, face and trunk and can cause dementia. It is one of the first inherited genetic disorders for which an accurate test exists. Huntington disease affects an estimated 3 to 7 per 100,000 people of European ancestry according to the National Institutes of Health.

Impulse Control Disorders

Disorders whose essential features are the failure to resist an impulse, drive, or temptation to perform an act that is harmful to the individual or to others. Individuals experience an increased sense of tension prior to the act and pleasure, gratification or release of tension at the time of committing the act.

Intermittent Claudication

An aching, crampy, tired and sometimes burning pain in the legs that comes and goes- it typically occurs with walking and goes away with rest - due to poor circulation of blood in the arteries of the legs. The usually intermittent nature of the pain is due to narrowing of the arteries that supply the leg with blood, limiting the supply of oxygen to the leg muscles, a limitation that is felt especially when the oxygen requirement of these muscles rises with exercise. Intermittent claudication in and of itself is often a symptom of severe atherosclerotic disease of the peripheral vascular system.

Mania

Mania is a medical condition characterized by extremely elevated mood, energy and unusual thought patterns. There are several possible causes for mania, but it is most often associated with bipolar disorder, where episodes of mania may cyclically alternate with episodes of clinical depression. These cycles may relate to diurnal rhythms and environmental stressors. Mania varies in intensity, from mild mania (known as hypomania) to full-blown mania with psychotic features (hallucinations and delusions).

Memory

Memory is the ability to store, retain and recall information from the brain. The study of memory has become one of the pillars of a new branch of science that marries cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Over time, it may become more difficult for people to remember little things here and there; memory loss is generally associated with old age and is a common symptom of several diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia and hypothyroidism.