Tag Archives: from-the-brain

Jack Osbourne’s Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis: What Does It Mean?

Experts say that Osbourne has a promising range of treatment options. By Gil Kaufman Jack Osbourne Photo: A few tell-tale signs are what clued Jack Osbourne into the fact that something was seriously wrong with his health. The son of hard rock icon Ozzy and “America’s Got Talent” judge Sharon Osbourne revealed earlier this week that he has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 
 earlier this spring. According to the “Today Show,” Osbourne, 26, decided to visit a doctor when he noticed tingling in his extremities and suffered a 60 percent loss of vision in one eye. MS is an autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system and which currently has no cure, but is very treatable. It causes inflammation in the brain and spinal cord resulting in the loss of myelin, the insulation around nerves. Among the symptoms are: loss of vision, numbness, tingling, excessive fatigue and weakness. The effects can range from mild to debilitating, but experts said that with the right mix of medications and doctors Osbourne has a good chance at leading a fulfilling life. “The prognosis now is better than it’s ever been,” neurologist Dr. David Snyder, director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at New York Hospital Queens told the morning show. “We have treatments we just never had before.” The disease can affect any organ system in the body, according to NBC chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman. “Every nerve has insulation around it and MS attacks that insulation so that the electrical impulses from the brain to tips of fingers and toes don’t work as well,” she said. The key for Osbourne is keeping in tune with any changes to his body and getting on the right mix of medicines to help slow down the progress of flare-ups. “Now somebody on medication, treated early, we’re very hopefully we’re interrupting the natural course of the disease,” Snyder said. “Patients are leading full lives, with families, jobs and travel.” While some people have not responded well to treatments, he said a large number do and lead full, if slightly modified, lives that may require a cane or other precautions. Around 400,000 people in the U.S. have MS, with 200 new cases diagnosed each week. Like other autoimmune diseases, MS affects more women than men, affecting females two to three times more than men. Osbourne is right in peak age range in which most cases are diagnosed (late teens, 20s and 30s), which is why his revelation is not a surprise to experts. Snyder said that given Osbourne’s age, his prognosis is relatively bright.

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Jack Osbourne’s Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis: What Does It Mean?

Bret Michaels Is ‘A Gentleman And Friend,’ Says Ratt Drummer

Bobby Blotzer wishes his friend ‘speedy full recovery,’ as Michaels remains in intensive care. By James Montgomery Bret Michaels Photo: George Napolitano/FilmMagic Ratt drummer Bobby Blotzer has known Bret Michaels for nearly a quarter-century, and in that time, he’s had more than his fair share of good times with the Poison frontman. But when Michaels was rushed to the hospital last week after suffering a brain hemorrhage, the memories of those good times took a backseat to genuine concern for his friend’s health. Bret Michaels’ Career In Photos In a statement to MTV News, Blotzer said that he was shocked to learn of Michaels’ hospitalization, and hoped that his friend would recover quickly. “The news of what happened to my friend of 24 years, Bret, came as a shock and with much anxiety,” Blotzer said. “Bret is a gentleman and friend to not only his peers and close personal friends, but to all fans and people around the world. Speedy full recovery soon!” As of Wednesday (April 28), Michaels remained in the intensive care unit at an undisclosed hospital, where he is in stable condition. His father told “Extra” that he had recently spoken to his son and that he sounded “a little slow, but fine.” According to a statement posted on his official Web site Michaels has been undergoing a battery of tests while in the ICU, and that, as a result of the stroke, he has been diagnosed with a condition that could lead to severe seizures. “Test results indicate a setback in Bret Michaels’ condition, a side effect from the brain hemorrhage called hyponatremia; a lack of sodium in the body which leads to seizures,” the statement reads. “Due to the severity of his condition, Bret Michaels continues to remain hospitalized in an intensive care unit at an undisclosed hospital.” Michaels, 47, was taken to the hospital late Thursday night, after complaining of severe headaches. Doctors eventually discovered that he had suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage , a survivable but serious stroke that causes bleeding in the fluid-filled spaces around the base of the brain. Related Photos Bret Michaels’ Career In Photos Related Artists Bret Michaels

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Bret Michaels Is ‘A Gentleman And Friend,’ Says Ratt Drummer