Observations

Stroke is the third-leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. About 500,000 new strokes and about 160,000 stroke-related deaths are reported each year, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Strokes occur when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted by either a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel or artery. A stroke caused by a blood clot that keeps blood from reaching the brain is called an ischemic stroke. A stroke that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures is called a hemorrhagic stroke. About 8 out of 10 strokes reported in the United States annually are ischemic strokes.

Also called a brain attack, stroke often comes on suddenly. However, the conditions that make a stroke more likely often take years to develop. According to the NINDS, the best treatment for stroke is prevention. High blood pressure, heart disease, smoking, diabetes, and high cholesterol are among the risk factors that increase the likelihood of stroke. Experts say that people who quit smoking and who keep their blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes under control significantly reduce their chances of having a stroke.

Find out more about stroke, how to reduce the risk of having one, and the latest on treatments, in our cover story titled "Brain Attack."

Nerve impulses travel throughout our bodies along nerve cells called neurons. Nerve fibers called axons may link to other neurons or other cells. Some nerve fibers have a fatty coating on them that helps speed up the transmission of nerve impulses. This coating is called the myelin sheath.

In people who have multiple sclerosis (MS), small areas of this protective sheath are damaged. Once the myelin sheath is damaged, nerve impulses cannot be conducted normally and communication between the brain and muscle breaks down, according to the NINDS.

Doctors still don't know what causes MS. But a new treatment recently approved by the FDA holds promise for the future. For more on MS, see our feature article titled "New Treatment, New Hope for Those With Multiple Sclerosis."

Used literally, the word arthritis means inflammation of the body's joints. As it's usually used, the word refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases that cause joint swelling, stiffness, and pain, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. However, the diseases also can affect other muscles, bones, tendons, and even some internal organs. For an update on arthritis treatments and the latest on how to minimize the impact of the condition on your lifestyle, see "Helpful Treatments Keep People With Arthritis Moving."

We also take a look at the latest revision of the federal government's dietary guidelines, the potential hazards of tanning devices, and at a new tool that doctors are using to examine the digestive tract.

Ray Formanek Jr.
Editor

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