The pain of a migraine headache is often described as an intense pulsing or throbbing pain in one area of the head. However, it is much more; the International Headache Society diagnoses a migraine by its pain and number of attacks (at least 5, lasting 4-72 hours if untreated), and additional symptoms including nausea and/or vomiting, or sensitivity to both light and sound. Migraine is three times more common in women than in men and affects more than 10 percent of people worldwide. Roughly one-third of affected individuals can predict the onset of a migraine because it is preceded by an “aura,” visual disturbances that appear as flashing lights, zig-zag lines or a temporary loss of vision. People with migraine tend to have recurring attacks triggered by a number of different factors, including stress, anxiety, hormonal changes, bright or flashing lights, lack of food or sleep, and dietary substances. Migraine in some women may relate to changes in hormones and hormonal levels during their menstrual cycle. For many years, scientists believed that migraines were linked to the dilation and constriction of blood vessels in the head. Investigators now believe that migraine has a genetic cause.

Bell's palsy is a form of temporary facial paralysis resulting from damage or trauma to the 7th cranial nerve, one of the facial nerves. It is the most common cause of facial paralysis. Generally, Bell's palsy affects only one side of the face, but it can affect both sides. Symptoms vary among individuals and include sudden weakness on one side of the face, drooping eyelid or corner of the mouth, drooling, inability to close the eye or mouth, altered taste, and excessive tearing in the eye. Symptoms appear suddenly and reach their peak within 72 hours. Bell's palsy can range in severity from mild weakness to total paralysis, and can cause significant facial distortion. The exact cause of Bell's palsy isn't known, but many scientists believe that reactivation of a dormant viral infection can cause the facial nerve to swell and become inflamed. Several other conditions can cause facial paralysis that might be diagnosed as Bell's palsy. The disorder can affect anyone at any age. Risk factors include pregnancy, preeclampsia, obesity, hypertention, diabetes, and upper respiratory ailments.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most common inherited neurological disorders, and nearly all cases are inherited. CMT damages the body's peripheral nerves, making them unable to activate muscles or relay sensory informaton from the limbs back to the spinal cord and the brain. There are different types of CMT disease, which may share some symptoms but vary by pattern of inheritance and age of onset. Early symptoms typically include weakness or paralysis of the foot and lower leg muscles. As the disease progresses, weakness and decreased muscle bulk my occur in the hands, arms, legs, or feet. People may lose the ability to feel heat, cold, and touch. Chonic shortening of muscles or tendons around joints prevents the joints from moving freely, and muscle cramping is common. Some people have pain that can range from mild to severe. Genetic testing can detect the most common types of CMT.

Zellweger syndrome information page compiled by NINDS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Wilsons disease information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Williams syndrome information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Whipple’s Disease information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Whiplash information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Wallenberg’s Syndrome information sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).