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Cataract Research

Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness worldwide, accounting for nearly half of all blindness globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 20 million people worldwide suffer from poor visual acuity, of 3/60 or less, due to cataracts.

2 Dec 2009

Cataract History

Cataracts have been known to mankind for centuries. A cataract is a white or cloudy patch that develops in the eye lens, reducing the amount of light that passes through it and leading to blurred vision. The word cataract comes from the Latin word “cataracta” meaning waterfall, with the condition possibly therefore named after the white appearance of rapidly running water.

2 Dec 2009

Cataract Epidemiology

A cataract is a cloudy patch that develops in the eye lens, causing blurred vision. The lens lies behind the pupil and this usually transparent structure enables light to reach the retina. On reaching the retina, this light is transformed into nerve signals, which are then sent to the brain for visual interpretation. If a cataract develops in this lens, some of this light may fail to reach the retina and vision becomes less clear.

2 Dec 2009

What Causes Cataracts?

Cataracts are whitish or cloudy patches in the lens of the eye that cause it to become opaque and less able to focus light onto the retina.

2 Dec 2009

Cataract Symptoms

Cataracts are cloudy or milky patches that develop in the lens of the eye and cause impaired vision.

2 Dec 2009

What are Cataracts?

Cataracts are whitish or cloudy patches that develop in a person’s eye lens and lead to blurred or clouded vision. Cataracts are the most common cause of visual impairment worldwide.

2 Dec 2009

Dementia Treatment

Treatment of dementia depends on the condition causing the dementia. In some patients treatment may not be possible and approaches are targeted to delay worsening of symptoms. In others, a cause of dementia may be identified and treated. There is growing evidence that some kinds of mental exercises can help dementia.

2 Dec 2009

Dementia Prevention

Dementia is usually a progressive condition that worsens over time and eventually leaves a person severely disabled. It is not possible to prevent all cases of dementia but some measures may prevent vascular dementia and also delay the progression of dementias.

2 Dec 2009

What Causes Dementia?

Dementia occurs due to loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. It can affect several brain functions such as memory, thinking, language, planning, behavior and judgement. Dementias are usually progressive and worsen with time. They usually are degenerative and non reversible.

2 Dec 2009

Dementia Diagnosis

Diagnosis of dementia is made after performing a physical examination and asking questions about the person's medical history. The physical examination includes a complete neurological examination and tests to check mental functions. This is termed mental status examination.

2 Dec 2009

Dementia Symptoms

People with dementia suffer from several symptoms that indicate decline of mental faculties over time. Areas of the brain affected by dementia include those used for language, memory, perception, emotional behavior and personality and cognitive skills including abstract thinking, calculations or judgment.

2 Dec 2009

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a combination of several symptoms that are associated with the declining abilities of the brain and its functions. There may be a decline in thinking, memory, cognition, language skills, understanding and judgement.

2 Dec 2009

Parkinson's Disease Support

The Department of Health in the United Kingdom developed a National Service Framework (NSF) for the management and handling of long term nerve related disorders like Parkinson’s disease.

2 Dec 2009

Parkinson's Disease Research

Parkinson’s disease is not yet curable. Several classes of drugs have been found that reduce the symptoms. Numerous researchers are working towards understanding the pathophysiology and developing new therapy targets for the disease.

2 Dec 2009

Parkinson's Disease History

Parkinson's disease has been known to mankind since ancient times. It is referred to in the ancient Indian medical system of Ayurveda under the name Kampavata (where “kampa” means tremor in Sanskrit).

2 Dec 2009

Parkinson's Disease Prognosis

Parkinson’s disease is not a fatal illness. However, it’s a degenerative disorder that usually progresses until it leaves its patients completely debilitated. The condition usually worsens over an average of 15 years.

2 Dec 2009

Parkinson's Disease Treatment

Parkinson’s disease is primarily treated using medications. Medicines may be used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. These medicines can ease symptoms but do not cure the condition. The degree of responsiveness to the medication and the duration for which the effects persist varies between individuals.

2 Dec 2009

Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis

There are no standard tests to diagnose Parkinson's disease. Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms, medical history and the results of a clinical examination. Symptoms usually do not develop until 80% of the brain’s dopamine producing neurons are damaged. In the early stages the symptoms are milder and diagnosis is difficult.

2 Dec 2009

Parkinson's Disease Pathophysiology

Parkinson’s disease is primarily associated with the gradual loss of cells in the substantia nigra of the brain. This area is responsible for the production of dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical messenger that transmits signals between two regions of the brain to coordinate activity. For example, it connects the substantia nigra and the corpus striatum to regulate muscle activity.

2 Dec 2009