Thursday, August 24, 2017

Neuromuscular Problems - Parkinson’s Disease


Before beginning his work in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Hemanth Rao underwent post-doctoral study at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he served as the chief resident. Now a neurologist with advanced training in neuromuscular disorders, Dr. Hemanth Rao cares for people with illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease through his practices in Charlotte, NC. 

In America, almost one million patients have Parkinson’s disease (PD), an illness characterized by gradual loss of mobility control. People with PD may develop disruptive symptoms such as slowness, balance loss, rigidity in the extremities, and uncontrollable tremors that make movement difficult. These symptoms can become more severe with time. 

Though scientists are working to discover the cause of PD, no one knows exactly why people develop the condition. Scientists do know that PD causes neurons in the brain to behave abnormally and die. Neurologists can help patients with PD manage the illness through drug treatments and surgical procedures such as deep brain stimulation.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Dementia in America - Alzheimer’s Disease


As the chief executive officer of The Neurological Institute in Charlotte, NC, Dr. Hemanth Rao treats patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The institute’s memory care staff and Dr. Hemanth Rao deliver a wide variety of dementia-focused treatments in Charlotte, NC, including speech, cognitive, and occupational therapies. 

A progressive brain disease, Alzheimer’s results in gradual decline as the condition interrupts cognitive functions and memory recall. In its later stages, Alzheimer’s renders impossible basic, day-to-day tasks, such as talking and dressing. 

Data indicates that up to five million people in the United States live with Alzheimer’s. According to research released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer’s deaths skyrocketed by more than 50 percent between 1999 and 2014. 

Because age is a key risk factor for Alzheimer’s, experts believe the rise is in part a result of America’s aging population. Researchers predict that the number of patients living with Alzheimer’s in America will increase by more than three times over the next 33 years.