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walter@brainhelp.co.uk

Head Injury.

An international Scourge and a Silent Epidemic resulting largely from road traffic accidents.

Each year in the European Union, head injury means - 1,000,000 hospital admissions
- the majority of the 50,000 deaths from road traffic accidents
- more than 10,000 severely handicapped
- three quarters of the victims are children and young adults

 This is a silent epidemic in which the primary focus is on early medical/surgical matters, and early physical rehabilitation. There is little attention devoted to the long-term emotional, behavioural, social and cognitive problems.
 
Acute brain injury is caused mainly by trauma (mostly young victims). Other causes include stroke, anoxia, infection, etc.

  An “invisible” and poorly known handicap.

A person with a brain injury often regains independent mobility, despite problems of hearing or vision, having a clumsy hand, a weak leg, a slurred voice, or epilepsy (the most frequent physical sequelae).
Many people who have had brain injury look well but have “invisible” deficits: intellectual, affective and behavioural sequelae affect the autonomy of the person in the everyday life.
This handicap is “invisible” because it is not palpable as could be a physical handicap; this is why brain injured persons and their families have difficulties to become aware of the handicap.
The disabilities linked to the invisible handicap are:
• Cognitive sequelae : in memory and learning, attention and concentration, information processing speed, communication (expression and understanding), orientation in time and space, visual agnosia, reasoning, decision making, organisation, planning, flexibility, initiative, motivation.
• Behavioural or psycho-affective sequelae: desinhibition, lack of self-control, inhibition or apathy, and lack of initiative, mood changes, indifference, anxiety, discouragement, depression.
• Anosognosia: the person is not aware of her difficulties or underestimates them.
• Important tiredness.
Head injury causes multi-disabilities which do not fit readily into better known categories of disability...
High quality care is usually available in the domains of acute medicine and surgery, but in the later stages difficulties arise as, all too often, little is done for the social reintegration of the victim. The family is often alone to support the burden of the "stranger in the house".

Dont Ignore Warning Pains  Pain is your body's way of sending you a signal that something is wrong. Most cure themselves, but which pains should we not ignore?

The Wall Street Journal  Why some patients get no help after brain injury. I hope someone from the Scottish and UK Parliament reads this!!

Below are Links to Brain Injury Web Sites that will help.

Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysm  All you need to know about the treatment of a Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysm. SAH. Neurosurgery. Excellent Website.

BASIC  BASIC is a specialist resource for people and their families in crisis followinga traumatic brain injury or neurological diagnosis. This includes people recovering from severe head injury, brain haemorrhage, brain tumour and otherbrain-related conditions such as stroke and brain cancer.

National Help Line  0870 750 0000.  

Brain and Spine Foundation  Brain and Spine Foundation have launched a new website 29th July 2005.The website gives answers to frequently-asked questions on a whole range of neurological problems - from cancer to meningitis, Parkinson's, epilepsy and dizziness - and also enables sufferers and their carers to download booklets published by the Brain and Spine Foundation. The aim of the Brain and Spine Foundation is to provide information and support on all neurological conditions to patients, carers and health professionals. We produce a range of information booklets currently covering 26 topics (including SAH) and also have a Helpline, which is run by neuroscience nurses.

The confidential Helpline is open Monday to Friday 09:00-13:00 except Wednesdays when it is open 10:00-18:00.

Freephone: 0808 808 1000.

About Brain Injury  If you have had a brain injury and want to know more about what to expect now, we hope you can find all you need to know right here. Maybe your brother or sister or friend has a brain injury and you want to know more too.

Welcome to Headway  Our aim is to promote understanding of all aspects of brain injury; and to provide information, support and services to people with a brain injury, their family and carers.

Our confidential Helpline is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.Wednesdays 9am-7pm.

Freephone: 0808 800 2244.

Rehab The Rehab Group operates a total of seven centres in the UK which enable people who have sustained a brain injury to retain their jobs or retrain for new employment.

Snowdrop  Neuro-Cognitive therapy for brain injury. We are a consultancy in child development which specialises in providing programmes of rehabilitation for children who suffer developmental difficulties.  Those difficulties may be caused by brain injury or by sociocultural sources and might express themselves in many ways, such as cerebral palsy or autism, or more specific problems such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia or specific language impairment (SLI)

Dr Jill Bolte Taylor  Hello friends! I am very excited about what is going on in my life and I am eager to share it you.
On February 27, 2008, I was invited to give an 18 minute presentation at the TED conference in Monterey, CA. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design - three wide-ranging subject areas that are, collectively, shaping our future. Every year, 1300 of the world's leading thinkers and doers gather together for four days of networking, education and exposure to new ideas. Past speakers and performers have included Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Paul Simon, Richard Branson, Frank Gehry, Philippe Starck, James Watson, Billy Graham, Jane Goodall, Al Gore, and Bono. However, TED is about much more than famous names. It is about passion, laughter, beauty, and ingenuity. It is about ideas capable of changing the world, and I was given 18 minutes to share my personal story and an idea that I believed was worth spreading. My experience at TED was both pheonemenal and life transforming. See for yourself by visiting TED.com.

Aneurysms Treatment  Advances in the treatment of Intra-Cranial Aneurysms.

Subarachnoid Haemorrhage  "Sub-arachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) usually occurs without any prior warning and is therefore commonly a shock to the patient and their family. Many people have anxieties during the illness and recovery periods and lots of questions”.

SAH can result from head trauma, the most common cause, or may occur spontaneously. Spontaneous SAH most commonly follows the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm or cerebral arteriovenous malformation, but can also be due to angioma, thrombosis, hematoma, or brain tumor.

Brain Aneurysms  Brain aneurysms are challenging to treat, especially since a patient may have no symptoms until the aneurysm ruptures and becomes a life-threatening condition. This edition of Inside Access follows three doctors and their patients, Roxie and Cora, at the UW Medicine Brain Aneurysm Center at Harborview. Cora receives endovascular treatment, while Roxie's surgery includes a technique of bypassing the brain's blood vessels with a graft from her radial artery. - ResearchChannel is a nonprofit media and technology organization that connects a global audience with the research and academic institutions whose developments, insights and discoveries affect our lives and futures.

What is a Brain Aneurysm?  A brain aneurysm, also called a cerebral or intracranial aneurysm, is an abnormal bulging outward of one of the arteries in the brain. It is estimated that up to one in 15 people in the United States will develop a brain aneurysm during their lifetime.

Easing out Stroke Therapy  Neuro intervention procedures allow the treatment of many conditions which previously were considered either surgically difficult to treat or even untreatable.

Brain Healing  Two MIT scientists nanotechnologically reconnect brain cells.

Webcast  Brain Clipping and Coiling Procedure. Clip, Coil, or Observation. All your questions answered on the treatment of Brain Aneurysms. St Joseph's Hospital. St. Paul, Minnesota.

Advice   Recovering from subarachnoid haemorrhage can be a very challenging experience for a variety of reasons; not least that it is a traumatic illness that happens without warning. Optimum recovery can take many months to achieve. The symptoms experienced and the convalescence required will be similar for the majority of people, regardless of the cause of the bleed, or any treatment required. Medical and Nursing teams from the Wessex and Greater Manchester Neuroscience Centres have worked in collaboration to build this site as it was felt that there was a need for accurate and patient friendly information to be available to our patients and their loved ones. The aim of this site is to explain SAH in general terms and to provide answers to some commonly asked questions.

CanDo Magazine  CanDo began in summer 2004 after research showed that 92% of disability groups and people affected by disability north of the Border, wanted a magazine that specifically focussed on health and disability matters in Scotland. Since its beginnings, CanDo has vastly increased in popularity with its readership and subscription rates to a current 30,000+ readers per issue with thousands more using this website on a regular basis.

Depression Depression can make you feel powerless. But there are many things you can do for yourself to improve your mood, help your recovery, and stay healthy. Don't be a passive patient. You don't have to leave your treatment entirely in the hands of your health care providers. Depression robs you of a feeling of control. Taking responsibility for your own health can give that feeling back.

ReGen Thorapeutics Plc

Five years ago Dr Wally Nel, a General Practitioner in South Africa, discovered that zolpidem promoted remarkable recoveries in some patients who were treated with it for insomnia, following traumatic brain injury and stroke. In a case report published in a South African medical journal in 2000, Dr Nel and his co-worker Dr Ralf Clauss described how approximately fifteen minutes after an oral dose of zolpidem was administered to a patient who had suffered a road traffic accident three years previously, he awoke from his semi-comatose condition and remained awake for the next 3-4 hours and when drug action subsided he returned to his previous state. That same patient is now awake for up to 10 hours a day after seven years of daily treatment with zolpidem. Further studies in Dr Nel’s clinic have now shown that many subjects with brain-injury caused in various ways and with various degrees of severity have consistent and reproducible improvement in their clinical features when given Zolpidem. Sleeping Pill Wakes Woman After 2 Years in Coma. Article

The Brain  How does the brain work?

Stroke  In a series focusing on medical specialties, the BBC News website meets Dr Anil Sharma, who talks about stroke management. In this branch of medicine doctors deal with the treatment and rehabilitation of patients who have had strokes.

Subarachnoid Haemorrhage    At least one in 100 people go about their daily routine completely unaware that they have potentially deadly flaws in the blood vessels in their brain.

Brain-Aneurysm   This Site is dedicated to the general public, in particular to persons afflicted with the conditions described in these pages. The key goal of brain-aneurysm.com is to be a valuable educational resource for aneurysm and arteriovenous malformation (AVM) patients and their families. I strongly believe that understanding the biology and clinical aspects of brain aneurysms and AVMs is a fundamental part of the overall healing process. This site is also intended to be an in-depth educational resource for professionals interested in brain aneurysms and AVMs, and brain vessel (cerebrovascular) biology.

Aneurysm Surgery  Animated guide to brain surgery.  ^(^

Haemorrhage  One brain haemorrhage - Multible handicaps. Traumatic Brain Injury.

Why this site has been set up?

This site has been created to explain to those who do not exactly know what TBI is, the full extent of this condition. Therefore I advise you to read this site carefully.

Aneurysms  How do aneurysms cause trouble?

Arteriovenous Malformation  AVM Support UK provides patient friendly information and support to anyone whose life has been affected by the rare condition Arteriovenous Malformation. We are a unique group working throughout the UK offering free, patient friendly information and support to all whose lives that have been affected by the rare condition Arteriovenous Malformation.

Brain Surgery  Brain surgery through the eyelid is being performed by only two neurosurgeons in the USA, one of them in Pittsburgh.

Gamma Knife  Imagine a technique for brain surgery that doesn't involve an incision... and you can go home the same day.

Unruptured Brain Aneurysm  Not all brain aneurysms rupture. Doctors are now able to detect unruptured brain aneurysms with an increased frequency. An unruptured brain aneurysm may or may not cause symptoms. Unruptured aneurysms are no less frightening or life altering, but require different diagnostic questions and potential treatments. Needs Windows Media Player.

Brain Aneurysms  Brain aneurysms are challenging to treat, especially since a patient may have no symptoms until the aneurysm ruptures and becomes a life-threatening condition. This edition of Inside Access follows three doctors and their patients, Roxie and Cora, at the UW Medicine Brain Aneurysm Center at Harborview. Cora receives endovascular treatment, while Roxie's surgery includes a technique of bypassing the brain's blood vessels with a graft from her radial artery.

Surgical Clipping Clipping is a surgical procedure performed to treat a balloon-like bulge or weakening of an artery wall known as an aneurysm. As an aneurysm grows it becomes thinner and weaker. It can become so thin that it leaks or ruptures, releasing blood into the spaces around the brain - called a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A neurosurgeon places a tiny clip across the neck of the aneurysm to stop or prevent an aneurysm from bleeding.

Surgical Clipping Video  This is a film about the clipping procedure used to treat brain aneurysms. WARNING - contains graffic images of open brain surgery. If server is busy the video can take a few minutes to load. However it is worth the wait, or vist later.

Minimally Invasive  Minimally invasive treatment of brain aneurysms. Webcast.

Brain Surgery  Links to surgical procedures to provide information to patients on operative techniques.

Video streams are made available in Real Player. They are clips of 30 minutes to one hour in length and are best viewed for ISDN, DSL or greater bandwidth capability.

Hydro Assoc  Welcome to the Hydrocephalus Assocation Website. Whether you have just heard the word for the first time, or are a frequent vistor to our site, we are glad you found us and hope our site can be of help to you.

Your Amazing Brain  Explore four of the most intriguing conditions caused by brain damage – all of which alter the amazing way the world is perceived.

Clinical Trial  A landmark clinical trial led by UK researchers has shown that patients who suffer a brain haemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm (1) have a significantly better chance of surviving without disability if they are treated through the blood vessels than if the aneurysm is clipped by surgery.

Coffee  Drinking more than 5 cups of coffee a day may increase the risk of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage, Norwegian researchers say.

International Brain Aneurysm Meetup  It's a local gathering of a group of people brought together by a common interest. Real world, face-to-face, maybe over coffee or a beer. The meetups are help all over the world.

New Treatment  Patients who under go brain surgery to treat aneurysms are at risk for permanent brain damage, but a protective cooling system is now being tested at Rush University Medical Center, to reduce or eliminate this risk.

Brain Aneurysm Surgery  Meet an aneurysm patient and hear from highly-regarded specialists about treatment options for aneurysms, a potentially deadly brain condition. A live webcast from the HealthEast Neurovascular Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Coil Aneurysm Surgery  Coil embolization of aneurysm video.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage Risk factors   Risk of subarachnoid haemorrhage in first degree relatives of patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage: follow up study based on national registries in Denmark.

Brain-Surgery  Welcome to Brain-Surgery, the Web's very own brain surgery help site.

This is a Website dedicated to promoting public awareness of brain surgery (neurosurgery), and conditions of the brain including brain tumor, brain trauma, and brain blood vessel disorders such as brain aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and cavernous malformation (cavernoma). The Site is intended to reach out to brain surgery (neurosurgery) patients and their families, and also to physicians, nursing staff and allied health specialists and students interested in brain surgery (neurosurgery) and brain disorders such as brain tumor, brain trauma, and brain aneurysm. Brain-surgery.us includes carefully selected key links to other Sites on the Web that will provide brain surgery (neurosurgery) and brain disorder patients and their families with helpful information. Links to appropriate books and manuals intended to help brain surgery (neurosurgery), brain tumor, brain aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients and their families are also incorporated into this Site.

Meningitis and Encephalitis  A guide for patients and carers.

Brains like Computers  Part Of Human Brain Functions Like A Digital Computer, Professor Says. A region of the human brain that scientists believe is critical to human intellectual abilities surprisingly functions much like a digital computer, according to psychology Professor Randall O'Reilly of the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Reconnect  Two MIT scientists nanotechnologically reconnect brain cells.

Stem Cell News  This website is solely dedicated to providing you with up to date and on target information on stem cells, research and current treatments available in China.  It is our mission to inform and educate the world via increased communication on the fast breaking and leading edge medical opportunities available to those in need.  We are here to bridge the gap between, researchers, scientists, laboratories, doctors, care providers and those seeking treatment; you. It is our goal to create a smooth road and easy travel between patients and the medical care they need. We are Stem Cells China Limited, a company of dedicated individuals offering you the latest facts and information about stem cells and their use in China.

Stroke Rehab  What is the Vasa Concept? Are you looking for solutions for paralysis resulting from brain stroke? Natural healing of the brain must be supported with active contribution from the patient for total recovery. Recovery continues even for years after natural healing is completed.

Head Injury  It is a non-profit clearinghouse founded and operated by head injury survivors from Seattle since 1985. It's a place to get information, join a discussion group, build advocacy and self-care skills, or assess your own clinical situation. This site combines resources from many places -- support groups, rehabilitation and research sites, and journals. Their goal is to create stronger, wiser head-injury survivors and families.

Brain Injury Grampian  The Big Group Aims to support carers individually, and to make it possible for carers to meet together to share experiences. Collect and make available appropriate information, leaflets and literature.

Encourage ‘partnership working’ between health, social work and the voluntary organisations with a particular interest in brain injured people.Work towards establishing a range of initiatives to help relieve the needs of those with a brain injury.

Facilitate education and training for professionals and volunteers. Encourage audit and research and publish the results.

Tel.  07876 258591.

Horizons Grampian  Our aim at Horizons is to help everyone achieve their maximum level of independence. Horizons Rehabilitation Centre opened in June 1997, with Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal making it official on 6th November 1997. The Centre is recognised for offering a unique rehabilitation service in Scotland and an example of successful joint working between Aberdeen City Council and NHS Grampian. Telephone: 01224 556873.

Momentum Scotland  Momentum works in partnership throughout Scotland to enable and empower disabled and excluded people to identify and achieve their goals. We support people to remain active citizens within their own communities, through the provision of mainstream employment and personal support services. I enjoyed my time there.     ^(^

Mersey Care NHS Brain injury is often referred to as the 'hidden disability' because the problems it causes may not be obvious to other people. Around one million people nationally go to hospital every year with a head injury but for the six per cent of them who suffer a severe brain injury life is often never the same again. People like Diane Hesketh, a former administrative support worker for Merseyside Police, whose life was turned upside down when she suffered a brain haemorrhage.   Diane is a member of a brain injury support group, organised by Mersey Care NHS Trust and held in Waterloo. It is a monthly drop-in session for people to share their experiences, help each other and listen to guest speakers.

Optua   Our mission is to enable and empower people to be their best, whatever their disability.

Optua provides a wide range of services for disabled people across Suffolk and beyond. Optua is the new name for Suffolk-based charity Rethink Disability.

Behind the Gray  We are an online support community for those whose lives or relatives/friends have been affected by a subarachnoid haemorrhage. Our aim is to offer friendship, support and a place where you can share  your highs and lows.  We are not qualified to give medical advice, but hope that you can benefit from our own personal experiences of SAH and those of our families. Membership is free and we hope that you will join us and share your own experiences.

Val Hennessy Trust   The Trust is a local charity founded to provide information, support and advice to individuals and their careers who have been affected by the condition of Subarachnoid Haemorrhage (SAH). The Trust provides up to date information about the diagnosis and causes of Subarachnoid Haemorrhage. In liaison with other statutory and voluntary organizations the Trust aims to profile the SAH condition to the public.

The Trust is strongly in favour of supporting family members and carers as they are often the key support for individuals who have suffered a Subarachnoid Haemorrhage. SAH has been described as "the hidden illness" because of its subtle disabling effects.In a support group, issues like this can be discussed and addressed and a valuable exchange of ideas and experiences can be shared within a support group environment. The support group forum can be an aid to the individuals on their route to recovery. Currently the Trust holds regular support group meetings at a Coventry city centre venue.  Telephone / Fax (024) 76 634 601.

BIAQ  The Brain Injury Association of Queensland is the peak disability organisation in Queensland for those living with acquired brain injury.

Head injury is a trauma to the head, that may or may not include injury to the brain (see also brain injury).

The incidence (number of new cases) of head injury is 300 per 100,000 per year (0.3% of the population), with a mortality of 25 per 100,000 in North America and 9 per 100,000 in Britain. Head trauma is a common cause of childhood hospitalization.

Head Injury  The Head Injury Society of New Zealand Inc. The voice of those affected by head injury.

Cognitive Therapy  Cognitive therapy is a well-researched method of psychological treatment that can be effective for dealing with emotional and behavioral problems. The Cognitive Therapy Pages have been written to give you an introduction to the philosophy of cognitive therapy and some tips for using cognitive therapy tools to cope with negative emotions.

Traumatic Brain Injury  Dedicated consumer advocacy website with a large amount of TBI information.

National Institute of Mental Health  Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. PTSD can be a factor for survivors as a result of a brain injury.

When is a headache a stroke?   Panel of experts discuss what everyone should know about the connection between a stroke and a headache.

Encephalitis  The Society’s stated aim is to improve the quality of life of all people affected directly and indirectly by encephalitis.

Migraine (pronouced "Mee-grain" but also, and especially in American English, "My-grain") is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head. Absent serious head injuries, stroke, and tumors, the recurring severity of the pain indicates a vascular headache rather than a tension headache. Migraines are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.

The word migraine is French in origin and comes from the Greek hemicrania, as does the Old English term megrim. Literally, hemicrania means "only half the head".

Migraine Trust  The Migraine Trust offers a helpline for enquiries about migraine and its management and related issues, such as the medication and health services available.  All our information is derived from evidence-based sources, and, if your enquiry cannot be answered from these sources, we have the facility to contact some of the world's leading clinicians and researchers working in the field of migraine on your behalf. Please note that our helpline advisors cannot give individual medical advice or diagnosis, which can only safely be provided by your own health professionals.

Help Line 020 7436 1336 or 020 7462 6601 - is open from 10am - 5pm Monday to Friday.

Brain Injury  Queen Elizabeth's Foundation Brain Injury Centre is a rehabilitation centre offering assessment, intensive rehabilitation and education for young adults over the age of 16, who have acquired disabilities and associated learning difficulties as a result of brain injury.

Spinal Injuries  We are the national organisation of spinal cord injured people. We represent all their interests regardless of how the impairment occurred, whether or not it has resulted in full or partial paralysis. We support all those who are affected by spinal cord injury, including the family and friends of the disabled person.

Freephone: 0800 980 0501.

UK Self Help Groups  A comprehensive directory of Self Help Groups working throughout the United Kingdom.

DLF  Welcome to the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF), a national charity that provides free, impartial advice about all types of disability equipment and mobility products for older and disabled people, their carers and families. From stairlifts to walk-in baths, jar openers to tap turners, bath seats to walking sticks, wheelchairs to scooters, hoists to beds, the DLF can help you find disabled equipment solutions that enable you to stay active and independent.

BIRD  B.I.R.D is an independent charity that has existed since 1982 to provide its unique approach to the treatment of neurological impairment known as 'Developmental Reflexive Rehabilitation'. Using this approach we work to improve the quality of life of people irrespective of age or severity of condition.

A stroke, also known as cerebrovascular accident (CVA),is an acute neurological injury in which the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted. That is, a stroke involves the sudden loss of neuronal function due to disturbance in cerebral perfusion. This disturbance in perfusion is commonly arterial, but can be venous.

The part of the brain with disturbed perfusion no longer receives adequate amounts of oxygen and glucose. This initiates the ischemic cascade which causes brain cells to die or be seriously damaged, impairing local brain function. Stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurologic damage or even death if not promptly diagnosed and treated. It is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in the United States and industrialized European nations. On average, a stroke occurs every 45 seconds and someone dies every 3 minutes.

Stroke  Thirty people a day die or are left seriously disabled because they do not get specialised care in a dedicated stroke unit. Stroke is one of the biggest killers and cause of disability in the UK. Stroke treatment costs us £2.3bn a year - almost six per cent of the NHS and social services annual expenditure. These costs are projected to increase by 30 per cent in real terms by 2023.

There is no miracle cure for stroke. But there is strong evidence that people who have had a stroke are more likely both to survive and to recover more function if they receive organised inpatient care in a stroke unit.

Helpline : 0845 3033100.

Stroke   Hear Dr Hilary Jones talk about Stroke and TIA.

Your Heart  The British Heart Foundation hopes this new web site will encourage teenagers to remember that looking after our hearts is crucial to healthy living. Cardiovascular System

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland  Aims to improve the quality of life for people in Scotland affected by chest, heart and stroke illness through medical research, advice and information, and support in the community.

The Advice Line number is 0845 077 6000 ; all calls are charged at local rates, and there is an out of hours answer phone. It is staffed by specialist nurses, from 9.30 am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 4.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Different Strokes  Is a registered charity providing a unique, free service to younger stroke survivors throughout the United Kingdom. Our services and the number of stroke survivors benefiting from them have grown dramatically since we were formed in 1996.

We are run by stroke survivors for stroke survivors, for active self help and mutual support. Different Strokes helps stroke survivors of under retirement age to optimise their recovery, take control of their own lives and regain as much independence as possible by offering 'rehabilitative services', information and advice.

From within the UK - 0845 130 71 72. From outside the UK - 44 1908 317 618.

Aortic Aneurysm This program describes the minimally-invasive technique that repairs an aortic aneurysm, a condition where the aortic artery is weakened, causing it to expand like an over-inflated balloon and risk rupture and internal bleeding. - ResearchChannel is a nonprofit media and technology organization that connects a global audience with the research and academic institutions whose developments, insights and discoveries affect our lives and futures.

Sisonline  Spinal Injuries Scotland. Is a Scottish charity offering advice, support, and information to spinal cord injured people, their families, friends and carers as well as health and social professionals.

Services include: A telephone helpline providing support and help to new and long-term injured. Information tailored to an individual's enquiries. Legal advisory service. Welfare rights advisory service.

Tel (Helpline): 0141 314 0057.

Stroke Foundation  The National Stroke Foundation is aiming to save 110,000 Australians from death and disability over the next 10 years. We will achieve this by using evidence based research and educating our community about stroke and prevention.The National Stroke Foundation is a not for profit organisation that works with the public, Government, health professionals, patients, carers and stroke survivors to reduce the impact of stroke on the Australian community.

Nerve Centre The Nerve Centre is a support and information resource for people in Caithness and North Sutherland, Scotland who are affected by neurological conditions. Tel : 01847 890996.

Advance Centre  The Scotson Technique is a unique, predictable, deeply restorative rehabilitation therapy for children and young adults with cerebral palsy, brain injury or brain abnormality. The Technique develops the pattern of recovery by addressing deep core weaknesses within the micro-circulation of the respiratory system which affects structure, metabolism and motor and cognitive function.

To help you find out more of how parents feel about The Scotson Technique, please phone Advance to be put in touch with our families who would be happy to answer your questions... Tel: 01342 311137.

The term dysphasia has been eclipsed by the modern usage of the term "aphasia" particularly in the field of speech/language pathology so as not to confuse with the swallowing disorder "dysphagia." Aphasia literally means no speech. But the speech impairment in aphasia could range from complete absence of speech to difficulty in naming a few objects. Aphasia is generally tested on the basis of comprehension of speech, fluency of speech, repetition and naming of objects. On this basis, aphasia can be classified as global aphasia, wernicke's aphasia, broca's aphasia, conduction aphasia, transcortical motor aphasia, transcortical sensory aphasia, anomic aphasia.

Dysphasia  Dysphasia is a speech disorder in which there is an impairment of speech and of comprehension of speech. It is caused by brain damage, usually in the left side of the brain which is responsible for language and communication.

Aphasia  What is Aphasia? Aphasia is the medical term for loss of language.

 Welcome to Aphasia Now. You are not alone: an estimated 250,000 people in the UK have aphasia. There are around 20,000 new cases every year. We are here to help.

Aphasia Nottingham   Aphasia is caused by a stroke, brain tumour, brain haemorrhage or brain injury.

Autism Rights  Autism Rights is established to research, lobby and campaign for the human rights of people with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) in Scotland, in particular to campaign for the provision of appropriate health treatment, education, social welfare and justice. The founding members of Autism Rights are all parents and carers of people with an ASD and are long-standing members of the Cross-Party Group on Autistic Spectrum Disorders of the Scottish Parliament. We are not in receipt of income, nor do we intend to apply for any, that is directly or indirectly supplied by local, devolved, or central government.

Stress  One can hardly pick up a newspaper or magazine or watch TV without seeing or hearing some reference to why all the sudden fuss and fascination?  After all Stress, has been around since Adam and Eve were evicted from the Garden of Eden. Is it because there is much more Stress today? Is it because the nature of contemporary stress is somehow different and more dangerous?  Or is it because scientific research has increasingly confirmed the crucial role stress can play in causing and aggravating different disorders and the diverse mechanisms of actions responsible for mediating its multitudinous effects?

Panic Attacks Everyone knows what panic is, and it is common to feel panicky from time to time: You get the sense that you are being followed on your way home from a party late at night. You discover you have had your wallet stolen. You are sitting an exam - you look at the paper and realise you don't know the answers to any of the questions. Someone runs in front of your car and you almost hit them.

Anxiety  Anxiety can takeover your life. Watch as one man works with his doctor to regain control.

Trauma999  What is Post Traumatic Stress? "The sudden cessation of human interaction”

This is a state of mind, induced when you experience or are involved in a disturbing or 'traumatic' event. It is an emotional and physiological response to an event that is outside the range of normal human experience.

Sufferers experiencing PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) are perfectly normal people, experiencing normal reactions to abnormal situations.

PTSD Understanding and Treating Chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Psychological disorders following exposure to trauma include personal suffering, decreased productivity, occupational and social dysfunction, medical disorders and demands on health services. In this talk, Drs. Zoellner and Bryant review current research associated with the persistence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the variety of viable options that exist for treatment. Speakers also explore treatment options and focus on the effectiveness of both therapies and medications.

BIRT   The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust BIRT provides rehabilitation, residential services and community based outreach services for adults with acquired brain injury. BIRT is a division of The Disabilities Trust (formerly the Disabled Housing Trust) which was formed to ensure that people with serious disabilities should not have to live in unsuitable institutions or nursing homes. BIRT aims to provide the following. A highly cost-effective route for rehabilitation and care. High standards of quality.

Tel: 01924 896 100.

Child Brain Injury Trust Offers support and information to children and young people who have had an acquired brain injury and their families. We have 28 support groups for families, which offer social opportunities for children and support for parents. We provide information through our helpline call 0845 601 4939.

The Child Brain Injury Trust can also offer some financial assistance to children with brain injury and their brothers and sisters, to enable them to take part in new activities (i.e. going on a school holiday, taking up a hobby etc) and we run exciting activity holidays every summer. Want to find out more? Telephone 01865 552467.

Don't let children suffer in silence  Jenny Hill the development officer with the Child Brain Injury Trust.

BIBIC   Is a national charity offering practical help to families caring for children with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, developmental delay, traumatic and acquired brain injury and specific learning difficulties such as attention deficits hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia and dyspraxia. Many of us take learning for granted. From birth we discover new skills and develop a fuller understanding of the world around us. For many children this process isn’t so easy. It can be difficult for them to make sense of the things that others take for granted. BIBIC exists to help these children reach their full potential and live a fulfilling and more rewarding life.

Hemi Help  Childhood hemiplegia (sometimes called hemiparesis)  is a condition, similar to cerebral palsy, affecting one side of the body (Greek 'hemi' =  half). We talk about a right or left hemiplegia depending on the side affected. It is caused by damage to some part of the brain, which may happen before, during or soon after birth, when it is known as congenital hemiplegia, or later in childhood, in which case it is called acquired hemiplegia. Generally, injury to the left side of the brain will cause a right hemiplegia and injury to the right side a left hemiplegia. The effects are similar to that of a stroke and it affects around one child in a 1,000.

Hemi Kids  Online Support for Children with Hemiplegia or Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy.

SCYSS   Hi, you may have Sickle Cell or be a Young Stroke Survivor or a parent, carer, sibling, concerned family member, friend or a health professional. Well, it does not matter who you are, I am just so happy that you are here on this website because we have one goal for coming hereand that is to make life easier for the child or adult who has Sickle Cell or the Stroke Survivors in our lives.

Headstrongkids  Celebrities, healthcare professionals and medical charities united with children and their families to help launch Headstrong - the Brain and Spine Foundation's brand new resource for children with brain tumours. Headstrong comprises a ring-bound folder for children aged seven to nine years old, a magazine-style publication for those aged 10-12, CD Rom and a website.You can call us at  080 8808 1000.

Voice-online  SICKLE CELL: ARE YOU AT RISK? Common disorder affects African and Caribbean community

A campaign to raise awareness of the sickle cell was launched last week, with a call for the public to get screened for the potentially debilitating disorder.

Fibromyalgia-Association UK   The Fibromyalgia Association UK (FMA UK) is a non-profit making organisation working towards raising awareness of fibromyalgia (FM) in the UK. What is fibromyalgia? As FM is still a little known condition, our aim is to offer help and support to sufferers, the newly diagnosed and carers alike to ensure they do not have to struggle alone with this chronic, life-changing illness. Together we can make a difference but we have to work together to become a force to be recognised when dealing with the Government, Health Services, Employers and Insurers.  In our numbers we will have strength. We need to ensure our medical professionals understand our condition and that we receive the best possible care and courtesy that is due to any individual.  Because FM is an 'invisible' condition does not mean it is not very 'real' to us.

Bangor University  Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition where people experience pain throughout the body and have high levels of fatigue. The diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia has been a major challenge for modern medicine. Some success has been found using interventions that target both psychological and physical aspects of the condition.  In particular, recent studies have demonstrated positive effects for a writing exercise.The present study investigates a stress-management writing exercise.  Specifically, the study examines how writing about emotional experiences can influence an individual’s pain and fatigue. Information gained from this study may help fibromyalgia patients better understand how emotions can influence their pain and stress, which may lead to improved treatments in the future.

This research is being conducted by the School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, at the University of Wales, Bangor.

If you are interested in finding out more about the research and you live in Wales.

Telephone 01248 388288  Fax 01248 371053   
Email: pep01f@bangor.ac.uk

Reporter's Notebook: Huntington's  The Times's Amy Harmon was drawn to a dilemma of DNA testing: Is it better to know you will develop a disease, even if there is nothing that can be done?

Ouch  What is Ouch? Ouch is a website from the BBC. Its aim is to reflect the lives of disabled people right here and now in the third millennium.It's not a help and support site. If we were to give it a label, it would probably be closest to lifestyle. We pride ourselves on not being a resource for useful information, though I'm sure you'll find most things you're looking for here. There are many help and support sites out there that do a fantastic job, far better than we could, so we in the BBC's Learning & Interacitve department felt it would be good to do something completely different.We're about personal stuff, minutiae of everyday life and that fantastic dark sense of humour and inevitable cynicism that we disabled people tend to have. Oh, and we don't shy away from subjects that other people might be a bit wary of.

Health   Think positive. Eat good foods. Be healthy. It's good advice. Sadly, it has a dark side.

Mind Tools   After a brain injury your memory can sometimes let you down. On this website you will get tips for improving your memory, problem solving, commmunication skills and lots more - all free. The Memory section is superb, with stratedies for learning lists, names and languages. A must to vist.

Academic Tips  Free advice includes improving your concentration and motivation.

Workouts   Got writer's block or lost your motivation? Click here for a wealth of free exercises to get your imagination flowing again.

MND  The Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association has existed for 24 years. Serving an MND community - people affected by MND, carers, families and health and social care professionals.

MND Association Welcome to the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Associations Home Page. We are the only national organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland dedicated to the support of people with MND and those who care for them.

MediPal   Medipal offers a medical ID Card for people on medication, with allergies, with speech difficulties or with learning difficulties. Give peace of mind to a loved one with this card.

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, commonly caused by a viral infection. Sometimes, encephalitis can result from a bacterial infection, such as bacterial meningitis, or it may be a complication of other infectious diseases like rabies (viral) or syphilis (bacterial). Certain parasitic protozoal infestations, like by toxoplasma, can also cause encephalitis in people with compromised immune systems. Brain damage occurs as the inflamed brain pushes against the skull, and can lead to death.

 Highland Hospice  The Highland Hospice provides specialist palliative care free of charge to people throughout the Highlands. Palliative care is the care of patients for whom there is no possibility of cure. We help improve the quality of life that remains.

We recognise the value and uniqueness of every individual. We believe that it is possible to achieve a sense of well-being in the face of a life threatening illness. We also support the patient’s family during the illness and into bereavement afterwards.

Crossroads  Crossroads is the largest charity in the world, providing 'in the home care' for Carers and we've been doing so for 30 years! Yes that's right it's our thirtieth anniversary this year and Crossroads continues to offer the high quality of service our Carers have come to associate with us.

Carers  The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is the largest provider of comprehensive carers support services in the UK. Through its unique network of 122 independently managed Carers' Centres and interactive websites, Carers.org and YC Net, The Trust currently provides quality information, advice and support services to almost a quarter of a million carers, including 13,000 young carers.

The Secret Life Of a Manic Depressive  A Guide to Being A Mentally Interesting Girl Navigating the Labyrinth of the NHS Mental Health Services.

MDF Aberdeen  Helping you through the highs and lows of manic depression.

The group exists to give support and comfort to sufferers, their carers, friends and family. We work hard to promote the group and give a better understanding of the illness. Apart from the Information Packs, we have an extensive library of books and videos which members may borrow.

We also hold an Internet Forum on the 3rd Thursday of every month at the office, at which members can contact us in person, by phone, e-mail or over the internet.

Speakability  Around a quarter of a million people in the UK suffer from aphasia, also known as dysphasia, as a result of stroke, head injury or other neurological condition. People with aphasia find it hard to speak, read, write or understand language. Speakability is the national charity that works with people with aphasia to overcome the barriers they face.

Fit-and-well  With this website, we hope to provide you with details and information that can help you understand and cope with epilepsy. Dealing with epilepsy, or with people afflicted with the disease, need not be overwhelming. Instead, we aim to provide you with the knowledge that will enable you or your loved ones to still live life to the fullest.

Epilepsy may change your life. But how it will affect you is in your hands.

Epilepsy (sometimes referred to as a seizure disorder) is a common chronic neurological condition that is characterized by recurrent unprovoked epileptic seizures.These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms due to abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain.It affects approximately 50 million people worldwide.Epilepsy is usually controlled, but not cured, with medication, although surgery may be considered in difficult cases. Not all epilepsy syndromes are lifelong – some forms are confined to particular stages of childhood.

Epilepsy Scotland  Epilepsy can affect anyone at anytime. Nearly 40,000 people in Scotland are affected by the condition and Epilepsy Scotland is here to help. If you want the latest information on the causes and treatment of epilepsy - either for yourself, a family member, for a friend, or even for a feature article - then we are sure you will find it here.

Helpline:  0808 800 2 200

This number is free and will not appear on telephone bills. 

Epilepsy  Our website contains everything you need to know about epilepsy - and if you can't find something, email us using our Email Helpline service and we will do our best to email you a reply within five working days.

Eurek Alert   Now, a St. Louis-area teenage boy and a computer game have gone hands-off, thanks to a unique experiment conducted by a team of neurosurgeons, neurologists, and engineers at Washington University in St. Louis. The boy, a 14-year-old who suffers from epilepsy, is the first teenager to play a two-dimensional video game, Space Invaders, using only the signals from his brain to make movements.

RHN  Royal Hospital for Neuro-disabilty. This section is a resource for family, friends and carers of people who are in coma, vegetative state, minimally conscious states or have suffered other forms of head injury.

Waiting  A page directed to you who are waiting, while someone is in a Coma.

Can Do Magazine  Since its launch CanDo has been a phenomenal success, with all available copies being distributed soon after publication. From Inverness to Inverclyde; Aberdeen to Ayr, Duns to Dunfermline and all points in between, we have been inundated with requests for extra copies. Our lightweight, easy-to-read format with a mix of news, competitions and photos has been a great success. Congratulatory letters, messages and emails have been arriving since a couple of days after our launch.

Stem Cells  Brain Cells Built from Hair Stem Cells Follicles appear as potent source for regenerating tissues.

Stem cells from hair follicles can develop into neurons, muscle and more, suggesting that hair is a potent and accessible source of cells for regenerating tissues. 3/28/2005 4:22 PM

Aspirin  Stroke survivors who stopped taking their prescribed daily aspirin tripled their risk of having another stroke within the month, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2005.

Uwtv  University of Washington Television. Watch a webcast and learn about the effects of stroke and see how the brain is capable of "reformatting" itself after being injured. This program includes a patient interview demonstrating the effects that a stroke has on the mind and body. This link is also on our welcome page.

Lastest News  The results of a major international Medical Research Council (MRC) trial, undertaken in collaboration with The Stroke Association, show that early surgery is not always the best treatment for one of the commonest and most lethal forms of stroke. The results of the trial, published in this weeks edition of The Lancet, will help doctors decide the best way to care for patients with the condition.

QEFD  Queen Elizabeth's Foundation works to: Encourage and enable people with disabilities to increase their independence and mobility and improve their life skills.

Saint Andrews Group  By specialising and continually investing in quality mental health care, St Andrew's aims to be the UK's leading independent provider of specialist mental health care, complementing and working in partnership with the NHS.

St Andrew's, which is a not for profit charity, has built a strong reputation for the quality and diversity of its specialist assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation services, ranging from its high quality short term acute services to the secure treatment programmes offered to people with challenging behaviours.

Cancer is a class of diseases or disorders characterized by uncontrolled division of cells and the ability of these cells to spread, either by direct growth into adjacent tissue through invasion, or by implantation into distant sites by metastasis (where cancer cells are transported through the bloodstream or lymphatic system). Cancer may affect people at all ages, but risk tends to increase with age. It is one of the principal causes of death in developed countries.

Cancer Why Me, Doc? What Scientists Know - and Don't Know - About Cancer. This question is on the mind of nearly every cancer patient, and their families. What exactly is cancer and why does it occur in some people, but not others? Is it just the luck of the draw, or are there genetic, lifestyle, dietary and environmental factors that are responsible? And if so, how important and controllable are they? This talk addresses these basic questions, attempting to put into perspective what scientists know - and don't know - about the causes of cancer, and what individuals can do to lower their risk.

CancerBACUP  Welcome to CancerBACUP, Europe 's leading cancer information service, with over 4,500 pages of up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support for cancer patients, their families and carers.

Brain Tumour  Brain Tumor Consent Video. LDR Neurosurgery.

Brain Tumour Video  Diagnosis Brain Tumor: You Are NOT Alone. Presented by Thomas Steineke, MD, Phd at the "Diagnosis Brain Tumor- You Are Not Alone" conference at the Neuroscience Institute at JFK. Medical Center, Edison, NJ Oct 15,2005. Sponsored by: Musella Foundation The Brain Tumor Society Central NJ Brain Tumor Support Group Monmouth & Ocean Brain Tumor Support Group.

Brain Tumor Surgery  This program profiles an innovative surgical technique for maintaining the speech and language skills of a brain tumor patient. The program introduces viewers to Deborah Kelley, a remarkable patient who bravely allows a camera to follow her for several weeks, from her initial consultation at the UW Medical Center's Neurosurgery clinic and then into surgery. Deborah undergoes an 'awake' surgery, which allows the neurosurgeon to pinpoint the exact location of her brain tumor, a technique called functional brain mapping. Deborah Kelley's case received an indepth review by the University of Washington Medical Center's Neuro-Oncology Tumor Board, a multi-disciplinary group of neurosurgeons, radiation oncologists, neuropathologists, brain tumor researchers and social workers. The Neuro-Oncology Tumor board has created a passionate and comprehensive approach to patient care centering on the role of the medical team, who guide the patient, and their family, from pre-operative tests to post operative diagnosis and treatment.

Brain Surgery  Endonasal brain surgery uses a tiny scope that provides a minimally invasive way to remove tumors that until now required a large incision and opening in the skull. Learn more about it in this two-minute video clip. Says Dr. Ted Schwartz of Weill-Cornell Medical Center, in an interview, “We put the scope through one nostril, put our instruments through the other nostril, and do the whole procedure without making any incisions in the face,”. The endoscopic endonasal technique allows doctors to address and remove a variety of tumors and other conditions that involve this region. This is done in just a handful of centers, but it’s slowly becoming more popular. The patient goes home typically in two to three days rather than in five or six days.

Brain Tumour  Brain tumours are the second most common cause of neurological death (stroke is the most common) Primary brain tumours are the most common solid tumour in children. Secondary brain tumours (metastasis) affect 20% of all people with cancer.

Brain tumour organisations throughout the UK.

Brain Cancer  This site is not a site where I will tell you what treatment is best for Brain Cancer and which ones to avoid. I am not qualified to prescribe or recommend treatments of any sort. Please seek professional advice for that. This site is to be used as a resource to find qualified sites that deal with Brain Cancer. This site is a directory of Brain Cancer treatment sites so you can easily and quickly find a useful site.

Cancer of the brain  Cancer can occur in any part of the Brain or Spinal Cord. Cancer cells are abnormal cells that divide too frequently and without any order. The causes of central nervous system tumors are not known. In addition, scientists cannot explain why Brain Tumors develop in healthy adults. Certain factors have been identified that may increase someone's chance of developing a Brain Tumor.

Brain Tumors  Clinical trials and noteworthy treatments for brain tumors.

Scope  About Cerebral Palsy. For disabled people achieving equality. "This site is a great place to find out that you are not alone, to find out more information on what might be available to you and to work through your feelings.."

Debra  DebRA UK is the national charity working on behalf of people with the genetic skin blistering condition Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). This site is your first port of call for reliable information on EB whether you or your child have EB, you want to support the charity, or simply want to find out more.

Acoustic Neuroma  I would like to extend a warm welcome to you as you visit this website on Acoustic Neuroma. You or one of your family members or friends may have been diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma. Like any other tumor in the body which requires surgery, the diagnosis of an Acoustic Neuroma can be overwhelming and scary, not just for the patients, but also for their families. The good news is that these tumors are benign and can be surgically removed with a low rate of recurrence-so there is hope for treatment.

Bana-UK   Welcome to the new website of the British Acoustic Neuroma Association. The website has been designed and developed by people affected by Acoustic Neuroma using information and data gathered from traceable sources.

News Press Releases   G.W. announces that Sativex® has been granted regulatory approval in Canada for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis. Dr Geoffrey Guy, Executive Chairman, said, "We are delighted that Sativex has received regulatory approval in Canada . This event marks the world's first approval of a cannabis derived medicine. This first regulatory approval has been obtained by GW in just over six years since the Company's development programme commenced a highly significant achievement. We are now working with our Canadian marketing partner, Bayer, towards the launch of Sativex throughout Canada in late Spring."

Cannabis (also known as marijuana or ganja in its herbal form and hashish in its resinous form is a psychoactive product of the plant Cannabis sativa L. subsp. indica (= C. indica Lam.). The herbal form of the drug consists of dried mature inflorescences and subtending leaves of pistillate ("female") plants. The resinous form consists primarily of glandular trichomes collected from the same plant material. It has been reported that commercial hashish is often no more potent than high quality seedless marijuana.However, carefully produced and screened hashish is up to three times as potent as the highest quality herbal varieties.

Marijuana  Why Marijuana Should Be Legalized: An Expert's Perspective.

Anne T Boyce   Anna T. Boyce on Medical Marijuana Pt. 1 of 2.

Part 2

Cannabis   Gave me back my life. A breast cancer victim has made medical history as the first person in Scotland to be prescribed cannabis as a treatment for chronic pain.

Cannabis  An ingredient in marijuana "cannabinoids" may be useful for treating brain cancers, say Spanish researchers from Madrid. Video

Cannabis  The biggest UK study of cannabis-based drugs has shown evidence for a long-term benefit in easing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Video

Marijuana  The active ingredient of marijuana could be considerably better at suppressing the abnormal clumping of malformed proteins that is a hallmark of Alzheimer's than any currently approved drugs prescribed for the treatment of the disease. Scientists report the finding in the Oct. 2 issue of the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics.

Cannabis-Med  The International Association for Cannabis as Medicine (IACM) was founded in March 2000. It is a scientific society advocating the improvement of the legal situation for the use of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa L.) and its pharmacologically most important active compounds, the cannabinoids, for therapeutic applications through promotion of research and dissemination of information. The IACM declares that it is the right of doctors to be able to discuss the medicinal use of cannabis with their patients.

Cannabis  Cannabis mental health risk probe. The government says it will review all academic and clinical studies linking cannabis use to mental health problems. The Department of Health says it is now generally agreed among doctors that cannabis is an "important causal factor" in mental illness. Video

Hypnosis  Hypnosis 'reduces cancer pain'. 

Relieving Pain and Suffering  Learn about understanding pain and its management. This program covers the effectiveness of pre-amputation medications, how the human mind controls pain and how the body heals through hypnosis, virtual reality technology and functional brain imaging.

Train your Brain  Conventional wisdom holds that we use 10 percent of our brain cells. Why not put the rest of your head into gear?

Medicalnews  Important new research identifies how brain cells die during a stroke.

Matching Houses  Welcome to Matching Houses holiday house exchange where you can swap houses with people who have the same accessibility needs as you.

Cornerstone  Cornerstone Community Care was established in 1980 in Aberdeen by a group of parents and professionals who were concerned at the lack of supported accommodation in the community for people with learning disabilities. We currently provide supported accommodation, short breaks and respite, community support services and homeshare family placement services to nearly 500 adults and children.

Mencare  Mencare is an organisation set up to help carers of the severely mentally ill by participating in a course called Supporting Family Training. The MENCARE Supporting Family Training is a free 10-week course designed for family members (parents, siblings, adults, children, spouses) and concerned friends or individuals with severe mental illnesses. The course is taught by trained family members and professionals.

Schizophrenia (from the Greek word σχιζοφρ?νεια, or shjzofre'neja, meaning "split mind") is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a mental disorder characterized by impairments in the perception or expression of reality and by significant social or occupational dysfunction. A person experiencing schizophrenia is typically characterized as demonstrating disorganized thinking, and as experiencing delusions or hallucinations, in particular auditory hallucinations.

Schizophrenia  Schizophrenia has been an often-misunderstood neurobiological brain disorder. Dr. Janet Finley shares information from cutting-edge research that points to the cause of schizophrenia and newly developed treatments.

Schizophrenia Started in 1995, Schizophrenia.com is a leading non-profit web community dedicated to providing high quality information, support and education to the family members, caregivers and individuals whose lives have been impacted by schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia  Schizophrenia has been an often-misunderstood neurobiological brain disorder. Dr. Janet Finlay shares information from cutting-edge research that points to the cause of schizophrenia and newly developed treatments.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known simply as Alzheimer's, is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration together with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. It is the most common type of dementia.

The most striking early symptom is loss of short term memory (amnesia), which usually manifests as minor forgetfulness that becomes steadily more pronounced with illness progression, with relative preservation of older memories

Alzheimer's Disease  Part 1. This program describes the minimally-invasive technique that repairs an aortic aneurysm, a condition where the aortic artery is weakened, causing it to expand like an over-inflated balloon and risk rupture and internal bleeding. - ResearchChannel is a nonprofit media and technology organization that connects a global audience with the research and academic institutions whose developments, insights and discoveries affect our lives and futures.

Alzheimer's Disease  Part 2. Can Alzheimer’s disease be prevented? This program addresses the evolving approaches to this disease, providing evidence that some common medicines may delay or prevent the onset of dementia. See what Alzheimer's disease looks like on brain imaging and how imaging helps research and clinical diagnosis of dementia.

News  Red wine may help reduce Alzheimer's disease, says a study on mice, but scientists caution that they have not yet tested if the findings apply to people. 28/9/06.

Multiple Sclerosis (abbreviated MS, also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis disseminata) is a chronic, inflammatory disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS). MS can cause a variety of symptoms, including changes in sensation, visual problems, muscle weakness, depression, difficulties with coordination and speech, severe fatigue, cognitive impairment,problems with balance, over heating, and pain. MS will cause impaired mobility and disability in more severe cases.

MS  Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological condition affecting young adults. Around 85,000 people in the UK have MS. Multiple Sclerosis is the result of damage to Myelin a protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system. When myelin is damaged, this interferes with messages between the brain and other parts of the body.For some people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission while for others it has a progressive pattern. For everyone, it makes life unpredictable. Freephone MS Helpline: 0808 800 8000.

Parkinson's disease (also known as Parkinson disease or PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that often impairs the sufferer's motor skills and speech.

Parkinson's disease belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders. It is characterized by muscle rigidity, tremor, a slowing of physical movement (bradykinesia), and in extreme cases, a loss of physical movement (akinesia). The primary symptoms are the results of decreased stimulation of the motor cortex by the basal ganglia, normally caused by the insufficient formation and action of dopamine, which is produced in the dopaminergic neurons of the brain. Secondary symptoms may include high level cognitive dysfunction and subtle language problems. PD is both chronic and progressive.

Parkinsons-Success  If you are being told, Parkinson's disease is caused by lesions on the brain and incurable deterioration of a gland in the brain called the substantia nigra, "DO NOT LISTEN" as it is documented in medical journals that this is "not" the cause.

Michael J Fox Enormous progress toward finding a cure has been made on many neurological fronts, and our understanding of the brain and how disease affects it has dramatically increased. Your contribution directly supports promising Parkinson's research and helps ensure that new and innovative research avenues are thoroughly funded and explored.

Trust Me  Allowing nurses to prescribe drugs isn't about valuing their contribution to patient care, or their abilities as health professionals, says Max Pemberton. On the third day of being a junior doctor, I had a horrific moment, which still haunts me today. There I stood, with the nurse gently sneering in front of me, and the patient's relatives standing around me, watching expectantly.

Equip.nhs  Welcome to this gateway to quality health and social care information for UK patients, their families and carers. The information held at this site is not comprehensive on each topic. Only sites that have appropriate information for UK patients and families have been included and only sites that fulfil certain quality and accessibility criteria.

Male Health  'The facts are that the average man lives a shorter life than the average woman.' A site that attempts to balance things up (but not by getting women to smoke more).

Clinical depression (also called major depressive disorder, or sometimes unipolar when compared with bipolar disorder) is a state of intense sadness, melancholia or despair that has advanced to the point of being disruptive to an individual's social functioning and/or activities of daily living. Although a low mood or state of dejection that does not affect functioning is often colloquially referred to as depression, clinical depression is a clinical diagnosis and may be different from the everyday meaning of "being depressed." Many people identify the feeling of being depressed as "feeling sad for no reason", or "having no motivation to do anything." One suffering from depression may feel tired, sad, irritable, lazy, unmotivated, and apathetic. Clinical depression is generally acknowledged to be more serious than normal depressed feelings. It often leads to constant negative thinking and sometimes substance abuse

Anxiety and Depression The experience of psychological trauma is not an uncommon occurrence in today's society. Recent research indicates that severe psychological trauma can cause symptoms persistent of anxiety and depression. Dr. Dennis Charney, of the National Institute of Mental Health, discusses these symptoms and how they affect brain function and alter body systems, and explores current treatments available.

Is It Really Depression  Depression, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder share some similar symptoms, but require different treatments.

Depression Alliance  What is depression? Depression is an illness that involves feelings of sadness lasting for two weeks or longer, often accompanied by a loss of interest in life, hopelessness, and decreased energy. Such distressing feelings can affect one's ability to perform the usual tasks and activities of daily living.

Depression  Clinical depression can vary in sufferers, but there are typical signs that make diagnosis much easier. We understand more than ever about the brain and its involvement in depression. But it is still difficult to tell which signs represent causes, and which are symptoms. Nevertheless better and better drug treatments have developed since the 1950s that benefit many sufferers.

A mental illness as defined in psychiatry and other mental health professions, is abnormal mental condition or disorder expressing symptoms that cause significant distress and/or dysfunction. This can involve cognitive, emotional, behavioral and interpersonal impairments.

The concept of an 'illness' of the mind is often taken to imply a medical condition with a specific pathology that causes the signs and symptoms, a view that is the subject of much research and debate. Similar but sometimes alternative concepts include: mental disorder, psychological or psychiatric disorder or syndrome, emotional problems, emotional or psychosocial disability. The term insanity, sometimes used colloquially as a synonym for expressing symptoms of a mental health condition or irrationality, is used technically as a legal term

Mental Disorders  Are mental illnesses becoming more prevalent, or is psychiatry overdiagnosing?

Computers & Health  Imagine a day when your computer will be able to let you know if you need a break, alert you to take medication or even go to the doctor.

Top-10-about-you  The human body is a great, sweaty, fluid-filled machine, moving and mixing chemicals with precision and coordination, making everything from memories to mucus. Here we explore some of the complex, beautiful or just plain gross mysteries of how you function.

Medicdirect  Fed up of being on the waiting list to ask your doctor a question? This is the site for you.

MedicDirect has gone under the surgeon's knife and had new features and content implanted. The two-year-old site's content, which is written and maintained by a team of GPs and consultants, includes information ranging from diet and fitness to first aid and advice for medical complaints. New features, including more videos of operations (not for the squeamish), self-assessment tools and health calculators add to the vast collection of information on offer. Other new categories, or 'clinics', include health at school, living with disabilities, family therapy and foot care. In fact, this site is so extensive that hypochondriacs are bound to discover they have some illness they never knew about.

Psychology  What is psychology? Psychology is the science of the mind. The human mind is the most complex machine on Earth. It is the source of all thought and behaviour.

Healthopedia  Welcome to Healthopedia.com, a medical and health consumer information resource containing comprehensive and unbiased information in patient-friendly language from trusted sources on over 1,500 health topics, 70 focussed health centers, and more than 11,000 drugs and medications.

Supernatural Minds  This website was created for the sole purpose of educating people about the great achievements of some of the world's greatest geniuses. From Albert Einstein to Leonardo Da Vinci, these individuals have transformed the world in which we live. Not only is this website dedicated to them, it is also dedicated to the question of what is a genius, and what inherent traits do they all share?

April.org  Adverse Psychiatric Effects of Medicines and Anaesthetics. Depression, dementia, self harm, aggression, suicide and iatrogenic disease may be caused by adverse effects of medicines.

Basic End of Life Support  This program is based on a workshop on basic end of life support (BEOLS), which includes: presenting a research based model of best practices in end-of-life care from clinician, patient, and family caregiver perspectives; giving bad news; negotiating code status; and conducting a family conference when moving from cure to palliative care.

NHS Scotland   Scotland's health on the web.

EQUIP  Electronic Quality Information for Patients. Welcome to this gateway to quality health and social care information for UK patients, their families and carers.

BIVO  Welcome to this index of voluntary, community, health and social care groups and organisations in Birmingham and the Black Country.

NHS Direct Online Wellcome to your gateway to health imformation on the internet.

or call 24 hours service on 08454647. This website provides accurate information on a range of topics from GP's, Dental Services and Support Groups to Pharmacies and Opticians, and is designed to complement the NHS Direct.

NHS Direct.Wales Welcome to the NHS Direct Wales website providing information on health and health services across Wales. This website provides accurate information on a range of topics from GP's, Dental Services and Support Groups to Pharmacies and Opticians, and is designed to complement the NHS Direct Wales telephone based service. On 08454647.

Drwy gefnogi ein gwasanaeth gwybodaeth y ffon dan arwain ein nyrses, fe gynnigwn gyngor ar wasanaethau iechyd lleol, llinellau cymorth a'r safle we.

Surgery Door  Welcome to Surgerydoor - the health website built in Britain, for Britain. If you can't find what you are looking for, try our search engine. Looking for a support group? Then check out the thousands of contacts in our Support Groups section.

Net Doctor  Medical news from the UK and abroad.Covers all types of medical problems.

WebMD  Your Special Invitation to See the ALL-NEW WebMD!

American Stroke Association  Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of a stroke, the causes of transie