Neurology

I’m a neurosurgeon. Social media may change your kid’s brain.

Conditions
October 11, 2023

A 2023 study of middle school-aged children laid out some alarming findings. Scientists recruited more than one hundred and fifty children, all aged twelve, from rural North Carolina public schools. The children were surveyed regarding their social media usage, including Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. Some of the kids rarely checked social media (one time or less per day), while others were glued to their screens, checking social media more than …

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Balancing efficiency and compassion [PODCAST]

Podcast
September 23, 2023
YouTube video

 

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Join Scott Abramson, a neurologist, as he explores the delicate balance between medical efficiency and genuine compassion in the fast-paced world of health care. Discover practical insights and strategies to nurture empathy, enhance patient care, and find …

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Lessons taught by Bell’s palsy

Conditions
September 19, 2023

Recently, after a week of a viral illness that I most likely picked up from one of my patients as a pediatrician, I noticed that one side of my tongue felt as though I had dental anesthesia. During the day, this slowly progressed, but as night came, the progression rapidly intensified with my lips and eyelids on this same side now drooping. While I suspected Bell’s palsy, considering that I’m …

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Insurance struggles in pediatric headache care

Conditions
September 11, 2023

Most of the time, I enjoy my job as a pediatric nurse practitioner working with chronic headache and pain patients. I enjoy the relationships with the families, figuring out what can help manage the headaches and life issues best to allow optimal functioning. I enjoy performing certain procedures, like Botox for chronic migraines or injection procedures for my patients, which very often improve their headache profile. I can even find …

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1 in 4 attempt suicide: the persecution of autistic physicians

Physician
August 31, 2023

A young autistic surgeon makes several social faux pas, leading to clashing with his boss repeatedly. This eventually leads to the young autist being transferred to pathology against his will. Unable to cope with the change, he stands up to his boss to seek reinstatement as a surgeon, and he is consequently fired for disrespecting authority by standing his ground.

Sound familiar? That’s because it’s one arc of Read more…

Rising longevity and cognitive health: Navigating dementia and treatment

Conditions
August 29, 2023

The comedian George Burns once quipped, “By the time you’re eighty years old, you’ve learned everything. You only have to remember it.” With the average life expectancy in the United States up from 54 a century ago to 74 today, the damage that can be done by aging and mental decline is more prevalent than ever. We see evidence of it all too often in our world leaders, families, and …

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Michael J. Fox asks: “Am I still me?” in a new documentary – a question many with critical illness face

Conditions
August 19, 2023

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie was recently released by Apple TV+ and provides a ringside seat to the daily, formidable challenges facing the actor since he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease more than 30 years ago.

There is, of course, tremendous irony in this movie’s title, given Parkinson’s disease, a non-curable neurodegenerative disease that affects well over six million people around the world, denies those afflicted the ability to keep …

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The myth of compassion fatigue

Physician
August 17, 2023

Here is a challenge: Review the schedule of patients you have seen today. As you recall each patient, ask yourself this question: Did I genuinely feel compassion towards my patient in that encounter?

I will be brutally honest with you (and myself). For me, on many days, that figure is maybe, at best, about 5 percent.

It’s tough. We are running 30 minutes late. Three irritated waiting room patients yearn for our …

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Understanding migraine symptoms in children

Conditions
August 14, 2023

If you’ve experienced a migraine headache before, the sensation is often very distinct: throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and loud noise, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. Migraine symptoms can be uncomfortable and distressing.

Equally concerning is when a migraine sufferer recognizes these symptoms in their child. Migraines typically emerge during early adolescence, particularly when females reach menarche (their first menstrual period). However, as many as half of the children can experience …

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When work becomes an escape for physicians [PODCAST]

Podcast
July 27, 2023
YouTube video

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Join Scott Abramson, a neurologist, as we delve into the complex interplay between work and home life for physicians. Scott shares his personal experiences and reflections on how challenging periods in his family and personal life led …

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From medical student to MS warrior: Navigating life with multiple sclerosis

Conditions
July 22, 2023

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during my second year of medical school. It happened while I was on a neurology rotation when I approached the neurologist after a lecture and expressed my suspicion of a flare-up. Subsequently, a lumbar puncture and a contrast brain MRI confirmed the diagnosis, leading to my treatment with IV steroids and later disease-modifying medications.

It has now been 18 years since my diagnosis, during which …

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A touching tale of hope and uncertainty in the hospital

Education
June 26, 2023

Indeterminate. That’s the word we use when we’re unsure whether a patient will be able to survive without mechanical ventilation. We can’t say for certain that they have a good prognosis, but we can’t say they have a bad one either. A chaplain once said that those teetering between life and death can sense two things: sounds and smells. They also shared a story about a patient who woke up …

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Caring for a loved one with Huntington’s disease: a powerful story of resilience and hope [PODCAST]

Podcast
May 24, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us for an inspiring episode as we sit down with writer Erin Paterson, author of Huntington’s Disease Heroes: Inspiring Stories of Resilience from the HD Community. Erin shares her personal story as a caregiver for her …

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Unlocking the power of autism: How accommodations and acceptance can benefit us all

Conditions
May 21, 2023

For a growing percentage of our population, autism is a part of everyday life. How we support and empower children with autism speaks volumes about our society’s ability to be inclusive, productive, and fair.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a perfect time to celebrate people with autism and elevate our awareness about this complex group of neurodivergent individuals who enrich our lives every day.

Here’s how we all can better …

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From stroke survivor to mental health advocate: one cardiologist’s journey to recovery [PODCAST]

Podcast
May 18, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us in this episode as we talk to Mike Campsey, an interventional cardiologist who shares his inspiring journey of resilience and recovery after suffering from a massive stroke. Hear his advice on what stroke victims and …

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Unlocking the science of memory: How to remember better and forget less [PODCAST]

Podcast
May 10, 2023
YouTube video

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Join us as we sit down with neurologist Andrew Budson, co-author of the book Why We Forget and How To Remember Better: The Science Behind Memory. Andrew shares his personal journey into the field of neurology and …

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CME Spotlights