I need to know what Hoffman or Huffman sign is. It is a neurology sign... to do with MS lesions?
462368
Hoffmans sign is when someone "flicks" the very end of your index, middle or ring finger.  For the test to be positive your thumb of the same hand will flex and also the index or middle finger (whichever one that was not flicked).  If the test is positive it is considered a sign of a upper motor neuron lesion (UMN). To describe what a UMN is you have to think of the nervous system as two connections.  The first connection comes from the brain to the spinal cord(The UMN) and the second connection comes from the spinal cord to the body part it innervates (Lower Motor Neuron). So if you have a positive Hoffmans sign it lets the Neurologist know that the problem is arising at the first connection (UMN).  Signs of a UMN include weakness, increased reflexes and increased tone.
732161
Ok, not entirely sure I understood the question. I think you were trying to say that your fiance was diagnosed with MS, has numbness in her hands, is always tired and suffers from depression but medication isn't working. I hope that's right!\nAnyhow, how long has she been on meds, and how many different ones have they tried? Sometimes it takes a few tries to find the combination that works. She needs to be keeping her doctor informed of all of this in order for them to be able to successfully treat it.
811900
Have your Family Doctor refer you to a Osteopathic specialist that  specifically deals with the hand to shoulder. Tingling and numbness our symptoms of nerve damage, but they are most likely being caused by a problem in this area and less likely to be a symptom from elsewhere. Neurologists tend to be more nerve sensory specific and the brain it self. I'm not saying that you should rule this out, but you should investigate the more common sources 1st and by that, see you normal family doctor 1st and proceed from there. They know your medical history much better than the faceless professionals in the hospitals and may have a better idea of preliminary causes for this condition you are experiencing.
730933
Demand a second opinion. Positive note I had similar symptoms for years rarely a day off. I had a brain scan, a EEG and other tests turns out I have hemiplegic migraines - very scary. I have an aura with mine - a bad taste often triggered by what I eat or smell. Gloss paint sends me off my legs for up to 2 weeks. I was investigated for having a stroke! Go back an see your Dr if symptoms don't improve and demand further tests! Have allergy/ sensitivity tests done, mine showed my triggers as being corn, melon, larger etc. I changed my diet and took FEVER FEW natural health supps and have made a fantastic recovery, with the occasional relapse. I f your symptoms are new to you and you have had no further investigations than a DR appointment, go back and demand more. Take a friend or relative with you if your reluctant to push the issue. You only have one life - enjoy it. Luv J xx
1026793
Yeah, it has lots of nicknames.   The one you have there is actually "yuppie flu" because for a while people thought that only young, upwardly mobile professionals were getting it.  Ignore the nicknames, they tell you nothing.\n\nNot that the real name is much better.  "Myalgic Encephalomyelitis" - a proper doctor might know the correct spelling.   That basically means "some kind of long term bad thing that's kinda hooked up to the central nervous system, or maybe not, but we're really not sure what it is".  The other name is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - that's just basically a description of what it does.\n\nMy dad and some friends have had it.  All of the people I've known with it HAVE recovered completely, though some have taken a long time.\n\nThe key for you is, I'm guessing, understanding the condition yourself so that you can educate those around you.  Cos they WILL need education.   First port of call is probably to google for a support group in your area.   Or your doc will probably know one right away.\n\nYou will also get information about theories of what causes it.  Last I heard there was no concensus about that.   BEWARE of "snake-oil" - there will be lots of people trying to persuade you that they have the cure, ranging from new age dreamers to evangelicals even to perhaps mainstream medicine.   Try some of them but be in no rush to do so - do it when you're good and ready.   What you will now have plenty of - is time.
826582
This is straight from memory from college days.  It is a nervous disorder that effects the myelin sheaths that cover your nerves.  Cases can be severe or mild and usually resolve on their own with little or no long term illness.  As with all illnesses, severe cases can cause long term damage.  Also, as with most nervous system disorders, there is no cure per se.  I honestly can not remember how you get it, but any medical website can tell you that.  I think it's usually a complication or secondary illness to something else.
702692
Hi Meg,\nI live in Wisconsin.  We have a lot of MS cases here. There seems to be a higher prevalance in the Northern colder, damp climates that is probably why your doctor asked.\nMS symptoms are variable, my mother in law was diagnosed in her 20,s.  Today she is in her 70's and bowling.\nGood, also, you are in a much better climate.
888819
Read about MS and it's exacerbation's here:\n\nhttp://www.nationalmssociety.org/What%20is%20MS.asp
537857
hi .. instead of getting useless worries why not have some simple knowledge about it .. \n\nSTROKE IDENTIFICATION: \n\nMy friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word, I agreed. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks. Seriously. please read: \n\nDuring a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the afternoon. Ingrid's husband called later saying that his wife had been taken to the hospital and passed away. She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some stroke victims don't die, they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead. \n\nIt only takes a minute to read this... \n\nA neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within three hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke . . . totally. He said the trick was having a stroke recognized, diagnosed and then getting the patient medically cared for within three hours, which is tough. \n\nRECOGNIZING A STROKE \n\nThank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps. \n\nRead and Learn! \n\nSometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke. \n\nNow doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions: \n\nS *Ask the individual to SMILE. \n\nT *Ask the person to TALK, \nto SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE. (Coherently) (i.e. . . It is sunny out today) \n\nR *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. \n\nNOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue. if the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke. \n\nhope it will help ..
590725
MS is characterized by the loss of the myelin on the myelin sheaths that transmit nerve impulses.  It is a demyelinating disease.  Chronic inflammation of the CNS is a widespread term for anything causing inflammation of that area.  Thus anything from a slipped disc causing a spinal cord impingment and inflammation to a brain tumor could fall under the umbrella of chronic inflammation of the cns.
609022
I think that is Multiple Sclerosis. There are many websites and associations for patients and their falimy members,just use search engine.\n\nThe other you mentioned: at http://www.transpersonal-web.com/bipolar-mental-illness.shtml
698262
I'm not a doctor but the skin discoloration and balance issues can be a sign of neurofibromatosis.\n\nhttp://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/neurofibromatosis/neurofibromatosis.htm#What_is
171000
Here's what I found:\n\nAs a result of the inflammatory, demyelinating process in the central nervous system, people with MS can experience a wide variety of symptoms. The most common symptoms of MS include:\n\nFatigue (also called MS lassitude to differentiate it from tiredness resulting from other causes)\n\nProblems with walking\n\nBowel and or bladder disturbances\n\nVisual problems\n\nChanges in cognitive function, including problems with memory, attention, and problem-solving\n\nAbnormal sensations such as numbness or "pins and needles"\n\nChanges in sexual function\n\nPain\n\nDepression and/or mood swings\n\nLess common symptoms include:\n\nTremor\n\nIncoordination\n\nSpeech and swallowing problems\n\nImpaired hearing\n\nAll of these are considered primary symptoms of MS because they are a direct result of demyelination, the destruction of myelin—the fatty sheath that surrounds and insulates nerve fibers in the central nervous system—and of damage to the nerve fibers themselves. Demyelination and neuronal damage impair transmission of nerve impulses to muscles and other organs, resulting in impaired function. Many of these symptoms can be managed effectively with medication, rehabilitation, and other management strategies. \n\nIn addition to the primary symptoms caused by demyelination, there are other types of problems or complications that can occur as indirect results of the primary symptoms or the experience of having a chronic illness:\n\nSecondary symptoms of MS are complications that can arise as a result of the primary symptoms. For example, bladder dysfunction can cause repeated urinary tract infections. Inactivity can result in loss of muscle tone and disuse weakness (not related to demyelination), poor postural alignment and trunk control, decreased bone density (and resulting increased risk of fracture), and shallow, inefficient breathing. Immobility can lead to pressure sores. While secondary symptoms can be treated, the optimal goal is to avoid them by treating the primary symptoms.\n\n\nTertiary symptoms of MS are the social, vocational and emotional complications associated with the primary and secondary symptoms. The diagnosis of a chronic illness can be damaging to self-esteem and self-image. A person who becomes unable to walk or drive may lose his or her livelihood. The strain of dealing with a chronic neurologic illness may disrupt personal relationships. People with MS frequently experience emotional changes as well, but it is important to note that mood swings and depression can occur as primary, secondary, or tertiary symptoms of the disease. Professional assistance from psychologists, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, and public health agencies is indicated for managing many of these psychosocial and vocational issues.\n\nIt is important to remember that not every person with MS experiences all of these symptoms. Some people may experience only one or two of them over the course of the disease, while others experience quite a few. Symptoms can come and go quite unpredictably, and no two people experience them in exactly the same way. Most of the symptoms of MS can be effectively managed, and complications avoided, with regular care by a neurologist and allied health professionals.
1103608
Magnets are not a "healing tool"!. This was proven by Benjamin Franklin a loooooong time ago, but the myth still persists!\n\nMagnetic resonance imaging can be used to confirm the presence of a neuroma, but anyone who claims they can treat one with magnetism or accupressure is a sick charlatan who just wants your money. Shame on them!\n\nI believe your best options are surgery or management, depending of the severity of the symptoms.  \n\nYou wouldn't trust an Herbalist or a witch Doctor to fix your car, would you?\n\nFollow your physician's recommendations!
260718
MS is unpredictable. It varies from person to person and can result in a wide variety of symptoms, none of which are unique to MS. You may experience only a few symptoms and it is unlikely that you will develop them all. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict what will happen during the course of anyone's MS. \n\n\n\nSymptoms range from mild to severe, from brief to persistent. Some symptoms, such as walking difficulties, are obvious to other people; others, like pain or fatigue, are not. These are often referred to as hidden, invisible or silent symptoms, and can be more difficult for people unfamiliar with MS to understand.\n\nThe more common symptoms of MS include:\n\nFatigue: an overwhelming sense of tiredness making physical or mental activity hard and, for some, impossible. \nProblems with walking, balance and coordination. \nVisual problems, including blurred or double vision, temporary loss of sight in one eye, or both. \nNumbness or tingling in the hands or feet. \nDizziness. \nPain: sometimes mild, sometimes severe. \nLoss of muscle strength and movement. \nStiffness and spasms: a tightening or involuntary movement in particular muscle groups - especially in the legs. \nAnxiety, depression or mood swings. \nCognitive problems, such as difficulty with memory and concentration. \nSpeech problems, including slurring. \nContinence issues: a lack of control over bladder or bowel functions; an increased risk of urinary infection. \nSexual problems, such as lack of libido or erectile difficulties. (Though it should be noted that MS does not affect fertility.) \n\n\nIf you think you have any of these symptoms you should consult a healthcare professional. It is important not to overlook any problems, as most symptoms can be managed well.\n\nWhilst there is no cure for MS, research continues to try and find one. Even without a cure, there are many effective treatments that can help you manage the condition. You can discuss all the treatment options and any concerns with your neurologist, MS nurse or GP. \n\nIn recent decades, there has been a shift in how we think about MS. Whilst there are still many gaps in our knowledge, we now have a much better understanding of how MS affects the central nervous system and how symptoms develop. These advances have led to new approaches in treatment.\n\nThe National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guideline may be useful to people affected by MS as it sets out good practice for treatment and management of MS. The Guideline's recomendations are based on a review of the scientific and medical evidence available. \n\n\n\nDisease modifying drugs \nThe last few years have seen the development of drugs that can affect or modify the course of your MS. Known as disease modifying drugs, they are thought to regulate the immune response by suppressing production of certain molecules involved in myelin damage and inflammation. Although not a cure, these drugs can reduce the number of relapses people experience by about 30 percent.  Steroids for relapses \nWhen you experience a relapse, your doctor may recommend a course of steroids to help speed up recovery. However, doctors only tend to recommend steroids if your relapses are disabling, painful or distressing. Although they do not alter the course of the disease, steroids can reduce the inflammation that occurs in the central nervous system during a relapse and can shorten recovery time. They are administered intravenously (through a drip into the bloodstream) or orally, as soon as possible after the onset of the relapse. The treatment period usually lasts between three and five days and can require hospitalisation. Most neurologists try to limit the number of steroid treatments prescribed to you in any one year.   Multi-disciplinary Care \nAs well as your GP and neurologist, many other specialists may be involved in your treatment. These specialists are important as part of a multi-disciplinary team, because they can help care f
606829
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/neurologicdiseases.html
425827
Moya-moya is a rare disorder of uncertain cause that leads to irreversible blockage of the main blood vessels to the brain as they enter into the skull. The name comes from the Japanese and means "puff of smoke". This naming is due to the appearance of the lesion on an angiogram. This is a lesion that tends to affect children and adults in the third to fourth decades of life. In children it tends to cause strokes or seizures. In adults it tends to cause bleeding or strokes. The process of blockage (vascular occlusion) once it begins tends to continue despite any known medical management unless treated with surgery. The repeated strokes can lead to severe functional impairment or even death so that it is important to recognize these lesions and treat them early on. \n\nOnce a diagnosis is suspected by CT or MRI, the next step is usually an angiogram to confirm the diagnosis and to see the anatomy of the vessels involved. Often nuclear medicine studies such as SPECT (single photon emission computerized tomography) are used to demonstrate the decreased blood and oxygen supply to areas of the brain involved with the Moya-moya disease. The next step is for the neurosurgeon to decide what type of operation is best suited for the child. There are many operations that have been developed for the condition, but currently the most favored are: EDAS, EMS, STA-MCA and multiple burr holes. \n\nThe EDAS (encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis) procedure requires dissecting a scalp artery over a course of several inches and then making a small temporary opening in the skull directly beneath the artery. The artery is then sutured to the surface of the brain and the bone replaced. \n\nIn the EMS (encephalomyosynangiosis) operation, the temporalis muscle, which is in the temple region of the forehead, is dissected and through an opening in the skull placed onto the surface of the brain. \n\nOther operations include: the STA-MCA (superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery) in which a scalp artery is directly sutured to a brain surface artery; and a procedure in which multiple small holes (burr holes) are placed in the skull to allow for growth of new vessels into the brain from the scalp. \n\nAll of these operations have in common the concept of a blood and oxygen "starved" brain reaching out to grasp and develop new and more efficient means of bringing blood to the brain and bypassing the areas of blockage. The risks of the surgery seem to be more due to the risk of being under general anesthesia for an extended period of time then to the actual surgical manipulations. The Moya-moya vessels and the involved brain are very sensitive to changes in blood pressure, blood volume and the relative amount of carbon dioxide in the blood. When awake, the child's brain is able to regulate these factors fairly well. However, under general anesthesia these parameters are much harder to artificially control and this can lead to bleeding or strokes. It is crucial for surgery that the anesthesiologist have experience in managing these children as the type of anesthesia they require is very different from the standard anesthetic children get for almost any other type of neurosurgical procedure. \n\nThe long term outlook for children with treated moya-moya seems to be good. While symptoms may seem to improve almost immediately after surgery, it will take probably 6-12 months before new vessels can develop sufficiently. Once major strokes or bleeding take place, even with treatment the child may be left with permanent loss of function so it is very important to treat this condition promptly.