¿Qué es la neuropatía?

La neuropatía, también conocida como la neuropatía periférica, es el resultado de daño a los nervios que puede causar entumecimiento y dolor en sus manos y pies. Según la Clínica Mayo (en inglés), puede “resultar en problemas como las lesiones traumáticas, infecciones, problemas metabólicos, y la exposición a toxinas.” Estos problemas/causas pueden incluir el alcoholismo, la diabetes, infecciones, trastornos hereditarios, trauma o presión sobre el nervio, y las deficiencias de vitaminas. La neuropatía puede afectar a uno o más tipos de nervios (los nervios sensoriales, los nervios motores, y/o los nervios autónomos) y por lo general comienza en los nervios más largos (los que llegan a los dedos del pie).  Algunos de los signos y síntomas de la neuropatía incluyen la aparición gradual de entumecimiento y hormigueo en sus manos o pies; dolor ardiente; dolor agudo, punzante o eléctrico; una falta de coordinación; debilidad muscular o parálisis; y/o problemas intestinales. Consulte con su médico de inmediato si nota cualquiera hormigueo inusual, debilidad o dolor en las manos o los pies.

Hay varios objetivos en el tratamiento de la neuropatía, incluyendo la administración de la afección que causa la neuropatía y el alivio de los síntomas dolorosos. Existen medicamentos que pueden ayudar a controlar el dolor asociado con la neuropatía periférica incluyendo analgésicos, medicamentos anticonvulsivos, antidepresivos, o un parche de lidocaína. Hable con su médico sobre cuál es el medicamento correcto y adecuado para usted y si lo necesita. La estimulación nerviosa eléctrica transcutánea (TENS por sus siglas en inglés) también puede ayudar a aliviar los síntomas. También hable con su médico sobre este tratamiento para determinar si es adecuado para usted.

Recursos

Para obtener más información sobre la neuropatía y para encontrar grupos de apoyo en su área, por favor visite los siguientes recursos:

• La Clínica Mayo tiene una sección muy informativa sobre la neuropatía periférica.
• El Instituto Nacional de Enfermedad Neurológica y Accidente Cerebrovascular también tiene una página informativa junto con enlaces a organizaciones que pueden ser de ayuda para usted. (En inglés.)
• ¡La Asociación de Neuropatía tiene recursos sobre cómo unirse a un grupo de apoyo en su área, o incluso iniciar su propio grupo!
• La Fundación para la Neuropatía Periférica tiene gran información y recursos para el público, los profesionales de la salud pública, y los pacientes.

Éstos son algunos de los artículos que encontramos durante nuestra búsqueda de REHABDATA:

• ¿Se benefician los pacientes con neuropatía diabética desde el entrenamiento del equilibrio? Número de Acceso de NARIC: J63552.
• Hacer frente a la neuropatía dolorosa. Número de Acceso de NARIC: J59882.
• Evaluación de la recuperación de la neuropatía relacionadas con quemaduras por las pruebas electro-diagnóstico. Número de Acceso de NARIC: J56730.

Para llevar a cabo su propia búsqueda, por favor visite REHABDATA. Si usted tiene alguna pregunta, por favor no dude en utilizar nuestro servicio de chat para hablar sobre sus preguntas con un especialista en información.

What is neuropathy?

Neuropathy, also known as peripheral neuropathy, is a result of nerve damage that can cause numbness and pain in your hands and feet. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can “result from problems such as traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems and exposure to toxins.” These problems/causes can include alcoholism, diabetes, infections, inherited disorders, trauma or pressure on the nerve(s), and vitamin deficiencies. Neuropathy can affect one or more types of nerves (sensory nerves, motor nerves, and/or autonomic nerves) and usually starts in the longest nerves (the ones that reach your toes). Some of the signs and symptoms of neuropathy include gradual onset of numbness and tingling in your hands or feet; burning pain; sharp, jabbing, or electric like pain; a lack of coordination; muscle weakness or paralysis; and/or bowel problems. See your doctor right away if you notice any unusual tingling, weakness, or pain in your hands or feet.

There are several goals in the treatment of neuropathy, including managing the condition causing the neuropathy and relieving the painful symptoms. There are many medications that can help manage the pain associated with peripheral neuropathy including pain relievers, anti-seizure medications, anti-depressants, or a lidocaine patch. Discuss with your doctor what the right medication is right for you and if you need one. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may also help relieve symptoms. Also discuss this therapy with your doctor to determine if it is right for you.

Resources

To learn more about neuropathy and to find support groups in your area, please visit the following resources:

• The Mayo Clinic has a very informative section on peripheral neuropathy.
• The National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke also has an informative page along with links to organizations that may be of help to you.
• The Neuropathy Association has resources on how to join a support group in your area or even start your own group!
• The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy has great information and resources for the public, healthcare professionals, and patients.

Here are a few of the articles we found during our search in REHABDATA:

• Do diabetic neuropathy patients benefit from balance training? NARIC Accession Number: J63552.
• Coping with painful neuropathy. NARIC Accession Number: J59882
• Assessment of recovery from burn-related neuropathy by electro-diagnostic testing. NARIC Accession Number: J56730

To conduct your own search, please visit REHABDATA.  If you have any questions, please feel free to use our chat service to discuss your questions with an information specialist.

Lee Saunders, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, MUSC College of Health Professions and Co-Director of the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Secondary Conditions in Individuals with SCI will:

• Describe the assessment of secondary conditions in a population-based study
• Compare reported secondary conditions between a population-based cohort and a clinical cohort
• Discuss needs for future research.

No registration is required for this free webcast. Visit http://www.ccitonline.org/accordent/musc/053013 on Thursday at 2 and select your preferred format (Windows Media Player or Real Player).

The presentation will be archived along with previous RRTC webcasts.

Addressing the Intimacy Interests of People with Mental Health Conditions: Acknowledging Consumer Desires, Provider Discomforts and System Denial

Acknowledging that sexual intimacy is a lifelong priority for all men and women, the monograph reviews current mental health research on the topic, the issues raised by men and women with mental health conditions with regard to the barriers they face in developing satisfactory intimate lives, and the uneasiness of most community mental health practitioners in discussing intimacy and sexuality with the people they serve.  The monograph, which offers initial recommendations for the mental health community, seeks to initiate a national dialogue on these issues.

This document and many other resources are available through the Temple Collaborative’s website.

Seeking University Faculty with Mental Health Issues

The Temple University Collaborative and Spelman College seek the participation of college and university faculty in a survey that aims to gather information about disclosures of mental health issues by faculty in academic settings. This is the first large scale survey that aims to gather information not only about how many faculty members experience mental health issues but also what that experience is like and how it affects their work lives.

The survey is comprised of various topics including diagnoses, hospitalizations, relations with co-workers, and experiences of disclosure at work. The survey team understands that some of these topics may be distressing or triggering, and have taken great care to ensure that the survey is as safe as possible. It is completely anonymous, and participants may skip any questions they wish.  Pilot testers have found the survey takes approximately 15 minutes but will vary by participant and how much open-ended information is included.

If you have any questions about this research project, please email the survey team at facultydisclosureproject@gmail.com, or call Dr. Margaret Price at 404/270-5579. You may also email facultydisclosureproject@gmail.com if you’d like to take part in the interview portion of the study but would rather not fill out the survey.

We are posting this information as a courtesy to our readers. We are not directly affiliated with this institution and have no further information regarding this opportunity. For additional information, please contact project personnel directly.

If you would like to be considered for service as a reviewer in one or more of the 3-day teleconference reviews for these competitions, please submit your CV to NIDRR as soon as possible.

NIDRR is looking for multidisciplinary experts in the following broad areas.

Health and function outcomes of individuals with disabilities.  In this outcome area, NIDRR is looking for reviewers with expertise in traumatic brain injury, intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as a wide range of other disability groups. NIDRR is running reviews in this outcome area on the following dates:

• August 7 – 9
• August 14 – 16
• August 21 – 23

Employment outcomes of individuals with disabilities.  In this outcome area, NIDRR is looking for reviewers with expertise in physical disability, as well as a wide range of other disability groups.  NIDRR is running reviews in this outcome area on the following dates:

• August 19 – 21
• August 26 – 28

Community living and participation outcomes of individuals with disabilities.  In this outcome area, NIDRR is looking for reviewers with expertise in intellectual and developmental disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, as well as a wide range of other disability groups.  NIDRR is running reviews in this outcome area on the following dates:

• August 14 – 16
• August 26 – 28

More detailed information about each of NIDRR’s specific competitions is available at  http://www.ed.gov/grantapps.

If interested, please send an updated and complete copy of your CV, including all relevant contact information, to theresa.sanagustin@ed.gov. In the email, please self-identify your area of expertise as well as your dates of availability.

The IDeA Center is now offering the next two courses in its online continuing education program. Course Dates: 6/03/2013 – 6/30/2013.  Registration is open and available until May 30^th, 2013 for the following courses:  UD and Housing 1:  Policy and Trends and Design for Human Performance.

Courses start June 3^rd, continue for four weeks until June 30^th, and are entirely online.

Each course costs $250 USD plus the cost of the textbook (available in e-book or hard copy and may be used over multiple courses).  AIA members receive 15 CEU Credits for the completion of the course(s).

For more information and course descriptions please visit http://udeworld.com/training/continuing-education/course-description.html.  You may register on the course list page by selecting “Add Course to Cart” on the Course List page. You can also register in-person, or you may print the registration form here (PDF/MS Word) and mail it with a $250 USD (per course) check or money order made payable to the IDeA Center.

For more information on the IDeA Continuing Education Program please visit http://www.udeworld.com/training/continuing-education.html.

For any additional questions please contact Jonathan White at jrwhite2@buffalo.edu.

Classic symptoms of celiac disease include abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea or constipation (or both), unexplained anemia, bone or joint paint, and fatigue among other symptoms.  If left untreated, the decreased absorption of nutrients (malabsorption) that occurs with celiac disease can cause chronic and life threatening vitamin deficiencies that deprive the brain, peripheral nervous system, bones, liver, and other organs of vital nourishment resulting in iron deficiency anemia, early onset osteoporosis, and increased risk of intestinal/gastric cancers.  Celiac disease is associated with various autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus as well as other syndromes such as fibromyalgia (May is also fibromyalgia awareness month) and chronic fatigue.  There is no pharmacological cure for celiac. The only treatment is a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet.

In addition to celiac disease there is a condition known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity (also known as NCGS or gluten sensitivity) in which the bodily reaction to gluten causes symptoms similar to celiac disease without causing the damaging effects to the intestinal villi.  The exact cause of NCGS is unknown and there is currently no approved test to diagnose it.  The recommendation is that these individuals also follow a strict, lifelong gluten-free diet.

How is celiac disease diagnosed?

Recognizing celiac disease can be difficult because some of its symptoms are similar to those of other diseases. Celiac disease can be confused with irritable bowel syndrome, iron-deficiency anemia caused by menstrual blood loss, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, intestinal infections, and chronic fatigue syndrome. As a result, celiac disease has long been underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed.  Currently there are two methods for testing for celiac disease and gluten intolerance:  blood test for higher levels of certain autoantibodies and a biopsy of the small intestine by endoscopy.  It is important to note that before being tested, one must continue to eat a diet that includes foods with gluten, such as breads and pastas. If a person stops eating foods with gluten before being tested, the results may be negative for celiac disease even if the disease is present.

What is does a gluten-free diet consist of?

There are many naturally gluten-free foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables (with no sauces added), nuts, beans and seeds, fresh fish, and meats (without gravies or sauces added).  Additionally there are some grains that are naturally gluten-free such as quinoa, teff, millet, amaranth, and rice, as well as many cheeses (but not all diary/cheese products). With the rise in diagnoses of celiac disease and gluten intolerance, more stores are advertising and carrying “gluten free” products.

Careful label and menu reading is strongly recommended. Individuals with celiac disease must be very careful when consuming processed foods or eating out at restaurants.  Even the smallest amount, 24 to 30 milligrams of gluten — about 1/145th of a slice of conventional bread (about the size of a crumb) — can be enough to cause intestinal inflammation and a “flare” of symptoms.  And it isn’t just food that individuals living with celiac have to worry about: supplements and medications, cosmetics, toothpaste, and various other items may contain “hidden” non-active ingredients such as gluten.

Living with an allergy and/or sensitivity to gluten can be major life adjustment but there are many online resources available for further information, current research, support, and even recipe sharing to make the transition easier!

Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF)
CDF is a non-profit, public benefit corporation dedicated to providing services and support regarding celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis, through programs of awareness, education, advocacy, and research.

National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA)
Through empowerment, education and advocacy, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) drives diagnoses of celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders and improves the quality of life for those on a lifelong gluten-free diet.

Celiac.com

Celiac Disease Awareness Campaign from the National Institutes of Health
The Awareness Campaign provides current, comprehensive, science-based information about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of celiac disease, also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy.

Center for Celiac Research & Treatment
The Center for Celiac Research is engaged in clinical care, diagnostic support, education, and clinical and basic science research in celiac disease.

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) Celiac Information Page

Living with celiac disease and gluten intolerance is certainly easier than it was many years ago and with continued awareness and education people living with this disease can live, eat, and enjoy food with greater acceptance, understanding, and ease.

¿Qué es la tartamudez?

La tartamudez afecta el discurso de una persona y por lo general comienza en la infancia; y en algunos casos, la tartamudez dura toda la vida. La tartamudez se caracteriza por la falta de fluidez o interrupciones en la producción de los sonidos del habla. La mayoría de nosotros producimos faltas de fluidez de vez en cuando, como repetir algunas palabras o decir “um” o “uh”. Las disfluencias pueden impedir la comunicación cuando alguien produce demasiadas de ellas. En la mayoridad de los casos, tartamudeo tiene un impacto en algunas actividades diarias; sin embargo, esto varía de persona a persona. Algunas personas pueden limitar su participación en estas actividades, ya que están preocupados acerca de cómo otros reaccionan a su deficiencia en el lenguaje. La tartamudez es diagnosticada por un patólogo del habla y lenguaje (SLP por sus siglas en inglés) durante una evaluación y, como parte del tratamiento, hay programas diseñados para enseñarles las habilidades específicas o comportamientos que pueden conducir una mejor comunicación. Para aprender más acerca de la tartamudez, cómo se diagnostica, y cuales tratamientos están disponibles, por favor visite la página web sobre la tartamudez de la Asociación Estadounidense del Habla, Lenguaje y Audición. También puede visitar la Asociación si usted está buscando un SLP.

¿Dónde puedo encontrar recursos relacionados con la tartamudez?

La Asociación Nacional de la Tartamudez tiene capítulos en los EE.UU. que ofrecen grupos de apoyo a medida para niños, adolescentes, y adultos. La página web Family Village de la Universidad de Wisconsin ofrece gran información sobre a quién contactar, a dónde ir para charlar con otros en línea, enlaces a los preguntas frecuencias sobre la tartamudez, y otros recursos. La Fundación de la Tartamudez ofrece recursos para los padres, niños, adolescentes, maestros, SLP, los médicos, y los empleadores.

Hicimos una búsqueda en REHABDATA y encontramos en gran variedad de artículos. He aquí una muestra de lo que encontramos:

• Un curso de vida con la tartamudez: Como las reacciones emocionales a la tartamudez impactan las actividades y la participación en las personas mayores. Número de Acceso de NARIC: J57984.
• Tareas duales y la tartamudez: Del laboratorio a la clínica. Número de Acceso de NARIC: J61548.
• La tecnología de asistencia hace una diferencia en las vidas de las personas que tartamudean. Número de Acceso de NARIC: J50572.

Para encontrar más artículos, por favor visite a REHABDATA.

What is stuttering?

Stuttering affects a person’s speech and usually begins during childhood; in some cases, stuttering lasts throughout a lifetime. Stuttering is characterized by disfluencies or disruptions in the production of speech sounds. Most of us produce disfluencies from time to time such as repeating some words or by saying “um” or “uh”. Disfluencies can impede communication when someone produces too many of them. In the majority of cases, stuttering has an impact on some daily activities; however this varies from person to person. Some people may restrict their participation in these activities because they are concerned about how others may react to their disfluent speech. Stuttering is diagnosed by a speech-language pathologist (SLP) during an evaluation and, as part of treatment, there are programs designed to teach the person specific skills or behaviors that can lead to better communication. To learn more about stuttering, how it is diagnosed, and what treatments are available, please visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s page on stuttering. You can also visit them if you are looking for an SLP.

Where can I find resources related to stuttering?

The National Stuttering Association has chapters across the US that offer support groups tailored for children, teens, and adults. The University of Wisconsin’s Family Village page on stuttering provides great information on who to contact, where to go to chat with others online, links to FAQs on stuttering, and other resources. The Stuttering Foundation offers resources for parents, children, teens, adults, teachers, SLPs, physicians, and employers.

We ran a search on REHABDATA and found a large range of articles. Here is a sample of what we found:

• A life-time of stuttering: How emotional reactions to stuttering impact activities and participation in older people. NARIC Accession Number: J57984.
• Dual tasking and stuttering: From the laboratory to the clinic. NARIC Accession Number: J61548.
• Assistive technology makes a difference in the lives of people who stutter. NARIC Accession Number: J50572.

To find more articles, please visit REHABDATA.