Your brain weighs in at a mere 3 pounds. But its role in your daily life is much heavier. Every feeling, movement, sensation, and behavior either begins or ends in its gray and white folds. For a long time, the brain was a mystery. But in recent years, researchers have begun to unlock its secrets. These advances in neuroscience, or the study of the brain and nervous system, mean new and effective treatments are available for many conditions that involve or affect this important organ. Read about a few disorders below.
Migraines
Most people get headaches from time to time. But not all headaches are created equal. About one in four women and one in 10 men regularly get migraines. These intense headaches often come with nausea, vomiting, vision changes, and sensitivity to lights, smells, and sounds.
Strange warning signs, called auras, may signal an oncoming migraine. You might notice flashing lights or colors, have trouble seeing or speaking, or feel tingling in your arms or face. Like migraines themselves, these symptoms are caused by changes in your nerve cells.
"The pain of migraines occurs when inflamed blood vessels press on nerves," explains Pandurang Miskin, M.D., of Ocean Medical Center. "The crushed nerves send pain signals to your brain. Because of where your nerve endings are located, you feel the ache around your eyes or temples, sinuses, jaw, or neck."
The good news, Dr. Miskin says, is that medication can help ease migraine pain or prevent these headaches before they start. "Talk with your doctor about ways to avoid triggers, such as tracking your diet, getting plenty of sleep, and easing stress," he says.
Addiction
Drug and alcohol dependence aren't mere character flaws. They're diseases that change the way the brain functions. Scientists have examined brain scans of those who are addicted. They can see differences in areas that control decision making, learning, memory, and control.
"On first use, drugs stimulate the brain's reward system and release mood-boosting chemicals," explains David Sikowitz, M.D., of Riverview Medical Center. "Over time, more of the substance is needed to get the same 'high.' Emptiness and sadness set in when an addict isn't using. The person will do almost anything to get alcohol or drugs — even if it hurts others or his or her own health."
Medications targeting these brain problems, therapy to change behavior, or a combination of the two help treat addiction.
"The best choice depends on the person, so talk with your doctor if you or someone you love is affected by substance abuse," says Dr. Sikowitz.
Epilepsy
Just like your hair dryer and your dishwasher, your brain runs on electricity. Sparks jump between nerve cells and to muscles and glands, producing thoughts, actions, and feelings. Seizures happen when these impulses go awry.
"Rapidly firing neurons can cause muscle spasms, changes in vision and hearing, and loss of consciousness," explains Rajesh Sachdeo, M.D., of Jersey Shore University Medical Center. "A person may be diagnosed with epilepsy after he or she has had two seizures.
"Anything that interferes with the way neurons normally interact can contribute to this disorder. This includes injuries, infections, and abnormal brain development."
About two-thirds of people with epilepsy can control their seizures with medications and surgery. Beginning treatment early can help, so talk with your doctor if you or a family member has a seizure.
Dementia
As we head toward our golden years, our brains undergo changes that affect how we think and learn. As many as half of people ages 85 and older develop dementia, a brain disease that robs them of their ability to remember, speak, or do other things important to daily life.
"Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia," says Tommasina Papa-Rugino, M.D., of Southern Ocean Medical Center. "Unusual buildups of protein known as plaques and tangles form in the brains of people with this disease, damaging nerve cells. Most other types of dementia also result from damaged or dying neurons."
Some types of dementia, such as those caused by brain tumors or alcohol abuse, can be stopped or reversed. Others, including Alzheimer's disease, have no cure.
However, says Dr. Papa-Rugino, "There are medications that can slow them down or improve symptoms. And doctors have identified potential ways to delay the onset of dementia, including exercising, keeping your heart healthy, and maintaining strong social ties."
About the Doctors
Migraines
Most people get headaches from time to time. But not all headaches are created equal. About one in four women and one in 10 men regularly get migraines. These intense headaches often come with nausea, vomiting, vision changes, and sensitivity to lights, smells, and sounds.
Strange warning signs, called auras, may signal an oncoming migraine. You might notice flashing lights or colors, have trouble seeing or speaking, or feel tingling in your arms or face. Like migraines themselves, these symptoms are caused by changes in your nerve cells.
"The pain of migraines occurs when inflamed blood vessels press on nerves," explains Pandurang Miskin, M.D., of Ocean Medical Center. "The crushed nerves send pain signals to your brain. Because of where your nerve endings are located, you feel the ache around your eyes or temples, sinuses, jaw, or neck."
The good news, Dr. Miskin says, is that medication can help ease migraine pain or prevent these headaches before they start. "Talk with your doctor about ways to avoid triggers, such as tracking your diet, getting plenty of sleep, and easing stress," he says.
Addiction
Drug and alcohol dependence aren't mere character flaws. They're diseases that change the way the brain functions. Scientists have examined brain scans of those who are addicted. They can see differences in areas that control decision making, learning, memory, and control.
"On first use, drugs stimulate the brain's reward system and release mood-boosting chemicals," explains David Sikowitz, M.D., of Riverview Medical Center. "Over time, more of the substance is needed to get the same 'high.' Emptiness and sadness set in when an addict isn't using. The person will do almost anything to get alcohol or drugs — even if it hurts others or his or her own health."
Medications targeting these brain problems, therapy to change behavior, or a combination of the two help treat addiction.
"The best choice depends on the person, so talk with your doctor if you or someone you love is affected by substance abuse," says Dr. Sikowitz.
Epilepsy
Just like your hair dryer and your dishwasher, your brain runs on electricity. Sparks jump between nerve cells and to muscles and glands, producing thoughts, actions, and feelings. Seizures happen when these impulses go awry.
"Rapidly firing neurons can cause muscle spasms, changes in vision and hearing, and loss of consciousness," explains Rajesh Sachdeo, M.D., of Jersey Shore University Medical Center. "A person may be diagnosed with epilepsy after he or she has had two seizures.
"Anything that interferes with the way neurons normally interact can contribute to this disorder. This includes injuries, infections, and abnormal brain development."
About two-thirds of people with epilepsy can control their seizures with medications and surgery. Beginning treatment early can help, so talk with your doctor if you or a family member has a seizure.
Dementia
As we head toward our golden years, our brains undergo changes that affect how we think and learn. As many as half of people ages 85 and older develop dementia, a brain disease that robs them of their ability to remember, speak, or do other things important to daily life.
"Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia," says Tommasina Papa-Rugino, M.D., of Southern Ocean Medical Center. "Unusual buildups of protein known as plaques and tangles form in the brains of people with this disease, damaging nerve cells. Most other types of dementia also result from damaged or dying neurons."
Some types of dementia, such as those caused by brain tumors or alcohol abuse, can be stopped or reversed. Others, including Alzheimer's disease, have no cure.
However, says Dr. Papa-Rugino, "There are medications that can slow them down or improve symptoms. And doctors have identified potential ways to delay the onset of dementia, including exercising, keeping your heart healthy, and maintaining strong social ties."
About the Doctors
- Pandurang Miskin, M.D.
Neurology
Toms River, NJ | 732-240-4787
- David J. Sikowitz, M.D.
Board certified in Psychiatry
Tinton Falls, NJ | 732-740-7675
- Rajesh C. Sachdeo, M.D.
Board certified in Pediatric Neurology
Neptune, NJ | 732-776-3153
- Tommasina Papa-Rugino, M.D.
Board certified in Neurology
Manahawkin, NJ | 609-978-8870
