Brain Diseases

The brain is the control center of the body. It controls thoughts, memory, speech and movement. It regulates the function of many organs. When the brain is healthy, it works quickly and automatically. However, when problems occur, the results can be devastating.

Inflammation in the brain can lead to problems such as vision loss, weakness and paralysis. Loss of brain cells, which happens if you suffer a stroke, can affect your ability to think clearly. Brain tumors can also press on nerves and affect brain function. Some brain diseases are genetic. And we do not know what causes some brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.

The symptoms of brain diseases vary widely depending on the specific problem. In some cases, damage is permanent. In other cases, treatments such as surgery, medicines or physical therapy can correct the source of the problem or improve symptoms.

Brain Surgery

Whether you use the word “surgery,”
“resection,” “operation,” “brain operation”
or “brain surgery,” surgery is usually the
first step in treating most benign and many
malignant tumors. It is often the preferred
treatment when a tumor is accessible – which
means it can be removed without unnecessary
risk of neurological damage.
Surgery might be recommended to:
• remove as much tumor as possible
• provide a tumor tissue sample for an
accurate diagnosis
• remove at least part of the tumor to relieve
pressure inside the skull (intracranial
pressure), or to reduce the amount of tumor
to be treated with radiation or chemotherapy
• enable direct access for chemotherapy,
radiation implants, or genetic treatment
of malignant tumors
• relieve seizures (due to a brain tumor) that
are difficult to control
“Radiosurgery” is a type of intense radiation
delivered to a tumor. It may be used instead of, or
in addition to, conventional surgery.Radiosurgery
is not surgery in the conventional sense, as no
opening is made in the skull. In certain cases,
it may offer similar benefit and lower risk or
discomfort than conventional surgery.