Understanding the Difference Between Epidural & Subdural Hematomas
- Written by Webmaster Webmaster
- Category: Blogs Blogs
- Published: 23 July 2020 23 July 2020
Although this is not always the case, head injuries like concussions can be extremely serious and frightening. Head trauma from playing sports, taking a serious fall, or experiencing an automobile accident can potentially lead to the rupturing of a blood vessel in the brain and result in brain bleeding. This collection of blood within the skull is known as an intracranial hematoma. In some cases, a hematoma may develop and progressively get worse over the course of weeks. In other cases, the hematoma can expand rapidly and present an emergent, life-threatening condition. Our board-certified neurosurgeons wanted to focus on two different kinds of intracranial hematomas, epidural and subdural, to help our readers better understand these conditions.
Our brains are covered by 3 layers of membrane (known medically as meninges), which effectively provide coating to the brain. Closest to the brain lies the pia mater. Beyond that lies the arachnoid mater. Lastly there is the dura mater which is a big fibrous material that covers the brain and tightly adheres to the skull. Both epidural and subdural hematomas involve bleeding outside of the brain and either outside or inside of the dura mater.
An epidural hematoma occurs when there is bleeding inside the skull but outside the dura membrane. Patients with an epidural hematoma can remain conscious with minimal symptoms, can become drowsy, or can progress to a coma immediately following their injury based on the size of the hematoma. A subdural hematoma occurs when the bleeding exists inside the dura, but still outside the brain. Subdural hematomas can either be acute, occurring and being detected soon after the trauma, subacute (symptoms develop in the days/weeks following injury), or chronic (symptoms occurring weeks to months after the time of injury).
In any case, the bleeding caused by an intracranial hematoma can form a mass that presses on the brain tissue and leads to a wide variety of potentially dangerous symptoms. These symptoms may include headaches, seizures, nausea, vomiting, physical weakness, difficulty with speech, changes in vision, and more.
Hematomas are diagnosed with either a CT scan or MRI of the brain. In the case a hematoma is detected, it is imperative to obtain an urgent evaluation with a neurosurgeon immediately to prevent worsening symptoms or even death. In some cases, a small epidural or subdural hematoma may resolve itself naturally over time. However, many patients require brain surgery to remove the hematoma.
The neurosurgeons here at Georgia Brain & Spine Center have considerable experience diagnosing, treating, and caring for patients who experience an intracranial hematoma or any other serious brain condition. If you would like more information on the brain conditions that we treat, or if you would like a second opinion on a previous diagnosis, please contact Georgia Brain & Spine at 1 (800) GO-SPINE to schedule a consultation today with Dr. Elias Dagnew or Dr. Michael Hartman. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news, practice updates, blog posts, and more.
Potential Causes & Solutions for Herniated Discs
- Written by Webmaster Webmaster
- Category: Blogs Blogs
- Published: 29 June 2020 29 June 2020
A herniated disc is one of the more common spinal conditions for adults in the US. However, even with this knowledge, many people don’t know very much about herniated discs and what causes them to occur. The neurosurgeons here at Georgia Brain & Spine Center strongly believe that understanding spinal conditions is critically important to help patients who may someday experience them. That’s why we wanted to discuss herniated discs, what may cause them to occur, and potential treatment options.
The bones (or vertebrae) of the spine are cushioned by small, round discs that are located between each individual vertebra. These discs act as shock absorbers for the spinal bones. Each disc consists of a soft inner portion as well as a tough outer ring. A herniated disc (sometimes referred to as a bulged, slipped, or ruptured disc) occurs when the softer inner portion of the disc protrudes through the tougher outer ring. This rupture then causes the disc to put pressure on the spinal nerves, resulting in pain that can be severe. Although a herniated disc can occur in any part of the spine (including the neck), they are most common in the lower back area.
A herniated disc can be caused by several different things. For some people, they may occur naturally as a result of aging. In some cases, a certain motion or physical activity like lifting something too heavy can be the cause. Accidents including falls or motor vehicle accidents can cause a disc to become ruptured. Certain risk factors like being overweight, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle can also potentially contribute to herniated discs. Additionally, a herniated disc can be a sign of degenerative disc disease in some people.
The first step towards treating a herniated disc is getting a proper diagnosis. This is something our experienced brain and spine experts can do here in our office. Once a diagnosis is made, we will discuss all the available treatment options. This includes non-surgical options including physical therapy, pain-killing injections, or medicines like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for people with more moderate pain or discomfort. In cases where the pain is more severe, may benefit from a spinal surgery procedure to provide relief.
If you or a loved one has experienced a herniated disc, there’s no reason to let debilitating pain disrupt your quality of life. The neurosurgeons here at Georgia Brain & Spine Center have many years of experience in diagnosing and treating spinal conditions like herniated discs and will do everything in our power to ease your discomfort and get you feeling your best again. For more information, or if you would like a second opinion on an initial diagnosis, please contact Georgia Brain & Spine Center at 1 (800) GO-SPINE to schedule a consultation today. And follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news, updates, and much more.
Hear Firsthand From Georgia Brain & Spine Patients
- Written by Webmaster Webmaster
- Category: Blogs Blogs
- Published: 17 June 2020 17 June 2020
At Georgia Brain & Spine Center, helping our patients treat their brain and spine issues is our absolute top priority. If left untreated, brain and spine problems can be physically debilitating or even life threatening. That’s why we treat every patient to the best care possible during their appointments in our office. Knowing how important our care is to our patients, it’s especially gratifying to hear positive words from patients we have been able to help in the past. Each patient testimonial we receive lets us know that we are doing our job correctly and truly improving the lives of our patients and their loved ones. To get a better idea of the difference our brain and spine procedures and treatments can make, we wanted to spotlight a few recent testimonials that we have received.
Dr. Dagnew is a professional. He is totally committed to his patients. I will refer any friend and family member who is seeking excellent medical care for their back pain to this practice. Dr. Dagnew genuinely cares about his patients and it shows. Thank you again for your dedication, Dr. Dagnew!
Isabel A.
Dr. Dagnew is one of the most patient and compassionate doctors. I never felt rushed while I was with him. He takes time to answer even the simplest of questions. More importantly, he takes time to describe the procedures, what outcomes I could expect, and what risks may be involved. The staff at Georgia Brain & Spine Center is always very helpful. Dr. Dagnew is very patient oriented as opposed to being a proceduralist. I was reassured at each visit of how I had improved and what to expect at future visits.
Steve H.
I experienced complete relief from level 10 pain within 12 hours of my surgery. Doctor Dagnew and his entire staff are excellent and very caring. 3.5 months after my surgery, my physical strength has greatly improved. Although I will continue to be cautious until I have been completely cleared by Dr. Dagnew, I remain EXTREMELY pleased with the entire experience at Georgia Brain & Spine Center.
Richard M.
We again wanted to thank all of our patients who have taken the time to leave us a testimonial. Your kind words and continued support mean everything to us. If you’re a current or former patient of Georgia Brain & Spine Center and you would like to share your story, don’t hesitate to leave us a review online on Google or Facebook. For more information on the treatments and procedures we perform, or if you would like a second opinion on an initial diagnosis, please contact Georgia Brain & Spine Center at 1 (800) GO-SPINE to schedule a consultation with our neurosurgeons today. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates, additional testimonials, and much more.
Debunking Common Myths About the Human Brain
- Written by Webmaster Webmaster
- Category: Blogs Blogs
- Published: 09 June 2020 09 June 2020
The internet can be an incredible resource for learning about nearly any subject. However, it can be overwhelming for some people to have so much information available at the tip of their fingertips. It can be very difficult to differentiate between truthful, dependable information and fabrications that are not rooted in fact. That’s why the neurosurgeons here at Georgia Brain & Spine Center wanted to debunk some of the more common myths about the human brain and how it works.
Myth #1: We Only Use 10% of Our Brains
We’re not sure where this one originated, but it is definitely false. The truth is that our normal daily functioning requires 100% of our brain. That’s why damage to any area of the brain, no matter how small, can result in significant consequences for a person’s cognitive ability and functioning.
Myth #2: People Are Either Left-Brained or Right-Brained
Although certain types of thinking tend to be more associated with a particular region of the brain, this notion is false. There is no evidence that having one brain hemisphere be more active than the other causes any difference in learning or function. The mind works best when the entire brain is utilized, even for activities like reading and math that are typically associated with a certain area of the brain.
Myth #3: We Have a Finite Number of Brain Cells
We’ve probably all heard the adage that once brain cells die, they can never be replaced. However in recent years, experts have discovered evidence that the human brain does indeed form new brain cells (or neurons) in certain parts of the brain throughout adult life. This process is known as neurogenesis. Although many neurons that are produced later in life may die shortly after they are generated, some do go on to be functional in the tissue of the brain.
Myth #4: Memory Loss With Age Always Means Dementia
There is a misconception that any memory issues that people experience as they age are signs of serious issues like Alzheimer’s Syndrome, however this is not always the case. The truth is that it’s natural and not unusual for people to become more forgetful later in life. Experts use the example that if you forget where you left your keys, that’s not abnormal. If you forget what the keys are used for, that could be a cause for concern.
The human brain is a source of endless fascination and curiosity. Due to the complexity of the human mind, treating issues or brain conditions require the very best neurosurgeons available. If you would like more information on the brain conditions that we treat, or if you would like a second opinion on a previous diagnosis, please contact Georgia Brain & Spine at 1 (800) GO-SPINE to schedule a consultation today with Dr. Elias Dagnew or Dr. Michael Hartman. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news, practice updates, blog posts, and more.
Arthritis, Back Pain, and What You Can Do About It
- Written by Webmaster Webmaster
- Category: Blogs Blogs
- Published: 22 May 2020 22 May 2020
Arthritis, specifically osteoarthritis, is a leading cause of back and neck pain in adults. Although it can occur anywhere in the spine, arthritis pain most commonly affects the lower back and neck area. This May, in honor of National Arthritis Awareness Month, the experts here at Georgia Brain & Spine Center wanted to provide some helpful information on osteoarthritis of the spine including how it can be successfully managed and treated.
Unlike many forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis in the spine is simply caused by wear and tear on your joints over time. As the cartilage between the joints begins to break down, there is resulting inflammation and pain. These symptoms are typically more noticeable when you bend or twist your back. Osteoarthritis of the spine typically affects the joints between the vertebrae known as the facet joints. As the discs between the vertebrae become thinner over time, more pressure is applied to the facet joints, leading to additional friction and ultimately damage to the cartilage. For some people, degenerative disc disease, a condition associated with degeneration of the spinal discs, may contribute to osteoarthritis in the spine.
Back pain is the most notable symptom of osteoarthritis, however, the condition can manifest itself in other ways as well. This includes stiffness and a loss of flexibility in the spine (including a grinding feeling when moving the spine). Some people may experience pain or numbness in other areas of the body if their nerves have been affected. Headaches and fatigue are also common.
Thankfully, osteoarthritis of the spine is treatable. There are a number of potentially effective non-surgical treatments that we recommend starting with before pursuing spinal surgery. Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that can reduce inflammation can be a temporary option, in addition to physical therapy and simple lifestyle changes like losing weight. Epidural injections and facet block injections to the spine may be able to provide relief for some people.
For patients who are unable to find relief with non-surgical treatment methods, spinal surgery may be of assistance. Spine fusion surgery, a procedure designed to treat instability and significant pain, is often recommended. During the procedure, spinal instrumentation and a bone graft are placed between two vertebrae, encouraging the bones to grow together and decrease instability in the spine. Similar to those with spinal stenosis, some people who experience osteoarthritis in the spine can benefit from decompression laminectomy. This minimally invasive procedure is used to create more space in the spine and reduce pressure on the spinal nerves by removing a small area of affected vertebrae (as well as thickened parts of the facet joint and ligaments).
The neurosurgeons here at Georgia Brain & Spine Center have seen firsthand how difficult and frustrating life can be for people who experience osteoarthritis of the spine. That’s why we work so hard to offer as many treatment options as possible in an effort to make sure each patient we see is able to find the right treatment option for their needs. If you would like more information on the spinal procedures that we perform, or if you would like a second opinion on a previous diagnosis, please contact Georgia Brain & Spine at 1 (800) GO-SPINE to schedule a consultation today with Dr. Elias Dagnew or Dr. Michael Hartman. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news, practice updates, blog posts, and more.