Syncope and seizure both can cause a loss of consciousness, but there are important differences. Syncope — commonly referred to as passing out or fainting — often results from a drop in blood pressure. Seizures, on the other hand, are caused by abnormal brain activity. The reason behind the abnormal activity may be epilepsy, stroke,…
Some people who experience migraine face an increased stroke risk, but there are ways to lessen the danger, according to Brian M. Plato, D.O., headache and migraine specialist with Norton Neuroscience Institute. Nearly 1 in 5 women have migraine three times the rate for men. In the United States alone, 28 million women experience migraine….
Very rarely does the average person stop in the middle of the work day to count their blessings. Often, living day to day is taken for granted. But for Emily Hughes, this could not be further from the truth. Despite the hustle and bustle of Norton Hospital’s ever-busy mother-baby unit, this postpartum nurse reminds herself…
Strokes don’t just happen to older people. They can happen at any age. When a younger person has a stroke, it can upend their life as a romantic partner, as a parent and as a breadwinner. A young stroke survivor may faces physical limitations they didn’t have before, which can affect their ability to work,…
It’s 10 a.m., just a few days before Christmas. Several people have braved the December cold. Their destination — the Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center. Some are older adults preparing for their weekly fitness classes. Others are college athletes, in the building to begin a pre-holiday workout. But among the few dozen people…
PCSK9 inhibitors are an injectable, cholesterol-lowering medication for people who have tried other treatments and still have high cholesterol. This medication may be especially helpful if you’ve had high cholesterol throughout your life or if you have a genetic condition called hypercholesterolemia that is causing high cholesterol. PCSK9 inhibitors reduce your low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, also…
The widely used anti-seizure medication Keppra can cause rare but serious behavioral side effects, including what users of the drug have called “Keppra rage.” “It’s important to let your health care provider know right away if you have any mood changes on Keppra,” said Rebekah J. Woods, D.O., neurologist, Norton Neuroscience Institute. Some epilepsy patients taking…
Dementia is characterized by a progressive loss of mental functioning, whether from Alzheimer’s disease or another condition. The result is an ongoing loss of memory and thinking ability. Dementia also can cause personality changes, such as agitation or aggressive behavior, and changes in sleep patterns like insomnia that make caring for people with dementia difficult….
Heart attack symptoms are often different for women. Women may not experience the stereotypical crushing chest pain. Instead, they could have symptoms that could be confused with the flu, heartburn or an ulcer. “It’s critical women understand what a heart attack can feel like for them, so they get immediate medical care. Any delay in…
Much like heart attack symptoms, there are some common stroke symptoms that men and women share, but there are some subtle differences for women. In women, stroke warning signs can be more subtle and may not appear serious enough to seek medical attention, putting the person experiencing them in grave danger. Emergency stroke treatment can…
If someone in your family has had a stroke, your risk of a stroke is higher. Stroke sometimes can be the result of genetics, passed from one generation to the next, but family habits also can be carried on. You can improve your odds significantly by knowing the risk factors and making healthy lifestyle choices….
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious condition that can occur in people with diabetes, both undiagnosed and known diabetes. It can be brought on by a variety of contributors including lack of insulin, infection, alcohol or substance abuse, pancreatitis, acute coronary syndrome, a cerebrovascular accident or a pulmonary embolism. Some of the first warning signs…
Select an appointment date and time from available spots listed below.