Interesting Articles

Are My Headaches From Allergies?

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, headaches are among the most common health complaint of Americans, and while some headaches are due to allergies, most are not. There are two types of headaches linked to allergies: sinus, and migraines. It is important to visit your doctor first before ruling out whether or not the particular headache pain you are suffering from is due to an allergy, or another trigger.

So, if the headache is not being triggered by an allergy, then what else could be causing your headache? 

If you want to prevent headaches, it is important that you are aware of some of the most common triggers which may lead to a headache. Everyday Health states that you can prevent headaches by avoiding these common causes:

In order to properly determine what may be causing your headaches, it is important to seek out the opinion of a specialist. A neurologist is a specialist who treats migraines, and is trained in diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain. 

At Texas Institute for Neurological Disorders, we have a variety of neurology specialists who can help. Our providers perform a variety of procedures to treat migraines, one such example is: Botox. Botox can help chronic migraines by blocking the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission.  This helps to reduce muscle contraction in that area of injection for a certain period of time. Every patient is different, and our providers focus on treating one patient at a time to determine the best treatment plan for you!


To learn more about our providers, and their various specialities visit our Provider Page.





Spasticity Treatment

Spasticity affects more than 12 million people worldwide. 


Some common conditions that may lead to spasticity include:  

Spasticity Treatment



Source: “Spasticity .” American Association of Neurological Surgeons ,

Brain Awareness Week





Brain Health Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is not only a great form of exercise, but it also provides several health benefits for the brain. A yoga routine involves a series of poses and breathing exercises that help strengthen the muscles and improve the cardiovascular system. There are certain poses that have been shown to have a relaxing effect on the mind. In particular, Child’s Pose has been shown to have a calming effect on the adrenal glands, and can help reduce the feelings of stress. Yoga can help reduce stress and improve brain power. In a study conducted by the University of Illinois, even a short twenty minute yoga session was shown to have incredible capabilities of improving brain power. The participants in this study performed better on cognitive tests when they had previously performed yoga exercises. One reason yoga is believed to be so beneficial for the brain is because it also brings union between the body and mind. According to a study by University of Waterloo, mindful meditation can help improve the brain’s conscious processing and energy levels. This can result in improvements on certain tasks that require sustained focus. For a healthy brain, exercise and a healthy diet are essential. Yoga is a great form of physical and spiritual activity for the brain, and has been proven to provide increased brain power, reduced stress, and better memory. At Texas Institute for Neurological Disorders, we recognize the holistic health benefits yoga has on the health of the brain. Each month, we have partnered with the Isha Foundation to offer a meditative beginner level yoga class. Our next class is March 17th at our Sherman Clinic from 10am-11:30am. Please visit our Events page for more information or to RSVP for the next class.

What is an EMG?

An EMG stands for Electromyogram, and this test is used to calculate the electrical activity of muscles. This testing is important to determine how quickly nerves are transmitting signals, as problems with nerve transmission can potentially lead to pain and numbness. An Electromyogram Test is often used to help diagnose certain neurology related diseases.

Here are some examples of symptoms that may lead to an EMG Testing:



•Muscle weakness

•Muscle pain or cramping

•Certain types of limb pain

EMGs can also be used to detect abnormal electrical activity of muscles that can occur in many diseases and conditions: including muscular dystrophy, inflammation of muscles, pinched nerves , peripheral nerve damage (damage to nerves in the arms and legs), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), myasthenia gravis, disc herniation, and others. When the test is conducted, a neurologist or tech, will place electrodes on areas related to where the patient has been experiencing pain. An electrical current is transmitted from the electrodes, which may result in a spasm/twinge sensation. Following the exam, the neurologist will explain the results of the Electromyogram Test to the patient, and will be able to use those results to help determine the cause of symptoms.

At Texas Institute for Neurological Disorders, our neurologists are trained to properly diagnose and assess results from an EMG test. In addition, they can determine if an EMG test is needed based on symptoms experienced by patients. For more information about the diseases our neurologists treat, visit our Services & Speciality webpage.



How Sleep Deprivation Affects the Brain

Sleep is essential for proper brain functioning and overall health. It is commonly thought that sleep is necessary for the brain to organize and store memories. When sleep is disrupted in any way, there can be some serious consequences, and ultimately our mind and overall health is severely affected. On average, about 30 to 40 million Americans have difficulty sleeping! Sleep disorders can have a detrimental affects on health, and can lead to some serious consequences if left untreated.

Many people report feeling irritable and moody when they do not receive enough sleep. This can make it more challenging for those with sleep deprivation to pay attention, which can significantly affect the ability to retain information. In fact, a recent study reported that sleep deprivation can slow down a person’t judgement as much as being intoxicated. This is because inadequate sleep disrupts the communication between neurons, and as a result, those lacking sleep often experience mental lapses. Another study, which looked at the more long term results of sleep deprivation, reported similar findings. This study observed the behavior of more than 30,000 people over a period of 18 months, and reported that even one night of insufficient sleep is associated with 1.2 percent slower performance. Overall, the study suggested that the insufficient sleep can decrease performance and productivity. The reason sleep deprivation results in difficulties with memory and paying attention is because the neurons are seriously affected when the body does not receive enough sleep. A recent study conducted on patients with epilepsy reported that cell activity, specifically in the temporal lobe region of the brain, was significantly affected by sleep deprivation. The more tired the patients became, the slower the neurons fired. This study suggested that certain regions of the brain are more affected by lack of sleep, and neurons respond slower in those experiencing sleep deprivation.

As these studies suggest, sleep deprivation can have serious consequences in both the short and long term. This means it is important for those that have difficulty sleeping to seek medical evaluation and treatment. An occasional night of poor sleep is not something to worry about, but if the issue becomes chronic and you start experiencing several nights of disrupted sleep, it may be worth seeing a sleep specialist. A sleep specialist can help determine what is causing sleep deprivation and will be able to recommend helpful treatment options. At Texas Institute for Neurological Disorders, Dr. Indu Mayakrishnan, M.D., is certified in Sleep Medicine and can provide a medical evaluation and treatment for those experiencing sleep deprivation and sleep disorders. Adequate sleep is essential for the brain and overall health of the body, and if you are concerned about a sleep disorder or are having difficulties with sleeping, the right treatment can help! Call our scheduling office at 844-754-8463 to schedule an appointment with our sleep specialist.

The Effects of a High Sugar Diet on the Brain

With Halloween coming up, it may be tempting to give into those sugar cravings, but research shows that eating too much sugar can be more harmful than we think.  Excessive sugar consumption can lead to memory deficiencies, sugar addiction, and overall health deficiencies.

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams of added sugar per day for women and 38 grams for men. However, most Americans consume much more than the recommended amount of sugar per day. Many Americans prefer the convenience of processed and packaged foods, which often are high in sugars. The best way to limit the consumption of foods high in sugars is by eating a natural diet consisting of real foods. The brain uses energy in the form of glucose to fuel cellular activities. However, a high sugar diet can lead to excess glucose in the brain and studies have linked excess glucose consumption to memory and cognitive deficiencies. Another reason sugar is harmful  to the brain is because it effects certain neurotransmitters which can result in sugar addictions. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain and some of the processes it controls include: mood, behavior, learning, and memory. Drug addiction and Parkinson’s disease are some examples of conditions associated with disrupted dopamine levels. Sugar can also disrupt dopamine levels as the brain becomes used to high levels of sugar. In fact, both the gene expression and availability of dopamine receptors can be altered in certain areas of the brain from consuming too much sugar over a long period of time. The effect sugar has on dopamine and dopamine receptors makes it addictive and is why it is often so difficult to eliminate sugar from the diet. Not only is sugar harmful to the health of the brain, but it is also harmful to the overall health of the body. Too much sugar can lead to tooth decay and cavities, leading to oral health problems. In addition, excessive sugar can lead to weight gain and increases the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Insulin is a hormone that helps to metabolize sugar in the body, but if there is too much sugar in the body then insulin resistance can occur. Eventually, insulin resistance may lead to Type 2 Diabetes.

Excessive sugar consumption is harmful to brain health, and can lead to memory deficiencies, sugar addiction, and decline in overall health. To keep your brain healthy, consume sugar in moderation and within the recommended guidelines. If you are concerned about too much sugar affecting your health, talk with your doctor or a medical professional. If you are a neurology patient and are looking for a neurologist that incorporates a holistic approach to medicine, then visit Dr. James Francesconi’s webpage to find out more about how he uses a holistic approach to treating neurological disorders.




When Should My Child See a Pediatric Neurologist?

A Pediatric Neurologist has specialized training to treat disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system in children under the age of eighteen. Here are some examples of neurological disorders treated by a Pediatric Neurologist:

-Behavioral Disorders, such as ADHD


-Cerebral Palsy


-Developmental Disorders

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and can affect the ability of children to do well in school and with other tasks. In order to determine, if your child has ADHD, a medical examination and diagnosis is required. Some common symptoms of ADHD include: difficulty focusing, struggling to properly understand others, temper tantrums, fidgetiness, daydreaming, mistakes, and problems staying organized. If your child is experiencing some of these symptoms, it may be a good idea to have them evaluated by a pediatric neurologist to find out if ADHD is a cause of the symptoms. Headaches are common in both children and adults. Sometimes kids may experience headaches due to certain medications, skipping meals, or dehydration. A pediatric neurologist can help determine why your child is experiencing headaches, and can help relieve the pain that comes from experiencing headaches. Cerebral Palsy is a physical disability that affects movement. This disease can occur if there is damage to the brain during or after pregnancy. Each case of Cerebral Palsy is different and symptoms can vary from each individual. Although there currently is not a cure for Cerebral Palsy, there are ways to treat and manage this neurological disorder. Epilepsy is a disease of the nervous system which results in seizures. It is possible for seizures to occur in both adults and children, but diagnosing seizures in children requires a more specialized approach. There are approximately 3 million Americans with Epilepsy which makes it the most common brain disorder in children. EEGs (Electroencephalograms) can be used to determine the type of seizure and the likelihood of recurrence. Autism is an example of a developmental disorder in children. Autism is defined by having difficulty in communicating and forming relationships with other people. Typically, signs of autism occur in the early stages of childhood development.

Dr. Mohamad Al-Rifai is a Pediatric Neurology Specialist at Texas Institute for Neurological Disorders. He treats all aspects of Pediatric Neurology but has special interest in: childhood epilepsy, pediatric behavioral problems, developmental disorders, and childhood headaches. Dr. Al-Rifai sees patients in the following clinics: Richardson, McKinney, Sherman, Frisco, and Denison. Dr. Uma Saligram treats Pediatric Neurology patients 8 years and older for concussions, seizures, and headaches. Dr. Saligram sees patients at our Keller and Ft. Worth clinics. Our Pediatric Neurology Specialists can help make sure your child receives the neurology care they need.


How a Healthy Diet Can Improve Brain Health

In order to perform optimally, the brain requires an abundance of energy which it receives through essential nutrients. In fact, the brain uses 20% of the energy used by the entire human body. This means that not only does your brain require a lot of energy to function, but it also needs to receive the right kind of energy. Unfortunately, we live in a society in which we prefer quick and convenient food sources. However, these “fast foods” are not the best kinds of foods for your brain, and can actually have some negative consequences on brain health.

Although there have been some efforts to improve the health quality of fast food, there are still health risks involved when choosing these types of foods. Fast food is highly processed and lacks key nutrients, which means it is essentially empty calories. These empty calories don’t do much in terms of providing nutrients to the body and brain. In addition, fast foods high in sugar can lead to serious health complications, particularly diabetes, and more recently there have been implications that high sugar diets can lead to Alzheimer’s Disease.

If you want to keep your brain healthy, then make sure you include these nutrients in your diet (courtesy of Developing Human Brain):

By providing your brain with the proper nutrients, not only do you improve the health of your brain but also the health of your entire body.





What are Headaches?


(Part 1 Classification, Causes and Triggers)


Classification of headaches:

Headaches can be divided into Primary or Secondary headaches

Primary headaches




Secondary headaches


A wide range of different factors can cause secondary headaches. These include:

Causes of Primary headaches

There are several but 3 main causes of Primary Headaches

  1. Tension headaches

Tension headaches are the most common form of primary headache. Such headaches normally begin slowly and gradually in the middle of the day. The person can feel:


  1. Migraines

A migraine headache is very many times genetic in nature and may cause a pulsating, throbbing pain usually only on one side of the head. The aching may be accompanied by:

Migraine is the second most common form of primary headache and can have a significant impact on the life of an individual. According to the WHO, migraine is the sixth highest cause of days lost due to disability worldwide. A migraine can last from a few hours to between 2 and 3 days. Sometimes they can last days when they are called status migrainosis.

  1. Cluster headaches


The affected area may become red and swollen, the eyelid may droop, and the nasal passage on the affected side may become stuffy and runny. Usually people have tearing on the affected side.

There are multiple other primary headaches and include:

Migraine Triggers

Most common foods that trigger migraines

An additional list of foods that trigger migraines

Alcohol and migraines


Migraines and stress

Emotions & Stress


Migraines and stress

Some sufferers consider stress the most common cause of migraines. Several studies place stresses near the top of the list as the trigger most often named by migraine sufferers. Many studies show that 60 percent to 70 percent of those with migraines cite stress as a regular trigger.




Environmental migraine triggers

Different factors in the environment – some which the migraine sufferer is unable to control – may lead to a migraine attack. As with many issues related to migraines, it is unclear how these changes in the surroundings lead to migraines. Some researchers believe that people with environmentally-induced migraines are more sensitive to influences in the atmosphere. Changes in the environment have also been blamed on allergies, pain and fatigue.

How do weather changes cause migraines?

For ages, people have reported being able to “feel” an oncoming thunderstorm. This, researchers believe, is a result of a buildup of positive ions in the air which may raise the body’s serotonin. Serotonin is known to be linked to migraines. There are also people who experience seasonal migraines, which means they have far more migraines during certain times of the year.

Types of environmental triggers

Exercise – Physical Activity

One of criteria for diagnosing migraines is that the pain and discomfort worsens with physical activity. For people with tension headaches, the head pain is not aggravated by routine physical activity. Also, physical activity triggers migraines. Sometimes it is everyday activities that launch an attack, other times heavy activity is to blame. Terms such as “weight-lifter’s headache” or “sports-related migraine” are used to describe it because the pain and symptoms arise after physical exertion or effort. Many people who suffer from persistent migraines avoid certain physical activities hoping to prevent migraine attacks.

Types of physical activity that triggers migraine attacks

There are several possible reasons for why physical activity can lead to a migraine. For heavy activity, the reasons might be:

Hormonal Changes

Hormones, the powerful chemicals that send signals throughout the body, play a large role in women with migraines. Hormones serve as migraine triggers in numerous stages of hormonal activity throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle and throughout her life.

Women experience hormonal changes when they:

Since migraines and hormones are related and because women have several fluctuations in hormones, it’s no wonder that some 70 percent of migraine sufferers are women. Migraines can be triggered by or made worse by the hormonal changes a woman experiences. Studies show that women complain of more severe head pain, migraines that last longer and cause more disability than men with migraines.

What causes migraines in women

Changes in the hormone estrogen are thought to trigger reactions in the brain the lead to migraines in women. The amount of estrogen circulating in a woman’s drops right before the start of the monthly menstrual cycle. Some women have migraines that are closely tied to their period. These are called menstrual migraines. They usually occur right before or in the very first days of the menstrual cycle and improve after menopause. In one study, 62 percent of women reported that their migraine symptoms improved after they stopped having their monthly menstrual cycle. However, in 18 percent in that study said the migraines got worse.

Pregnant women and migraines

Pregnancy offers a reprieve for most women who suffer from migraines. Because estrogen levels gradually rise during pregnancy, many women say their migraine symptoms improve. However, after the pregnancy ends, when the hormone levels drop suddenly, the migraine symptoms can return immediately.

How to prevent hormonal migraines

Keeping a migraine journal will help you discover when during your cycle the migraines occur. For some women, taking an over-the-counter or prescription pain reliever a few days before the start of their menstrual cycle helps prevent the migraine attack. Consulting a migraine expert will help determine what’s best for your migraines.

Sexual Activity

Sex stirs up lots of emotions, chemicals and other reactions within the body. Therefore, it’s understandable how sexual activity can be a migraine trigger. It is sometimes called “coital headache.” Sex-related migraines are usually unpredictable and don’t occur with each sexual experience. This type of migraines occurs most often in people ages 20 to 60, and most commonly first occurring around age 40.

Migraine sufferers and sexual intercourse

The head pain and other migraine symptoms can sometimes arise with sexual activity and with masturbation. Men get migraines after sex.  Sexual activity triggers migraines in men four times as often as it does in women. because of the alterations in blood pressure.

Migraines and other types of head pain may occur:

For head pain to be blamed on sex, the International Headache Society says the pain must:

  1. Be brought on by sexual arousal
  2. Have pain on both sides
  3. Be prevented or lessened by stopping sexual activity before orgasm
  4. Not be caused by any other disorder

Possible reasons for sexually – induced migraines

The reason behind the head pain may be related to contracting muscles during sex. The attacks may be avoided by working on relaxing neck and jaw muscles during sexual activity. The explosive pain has been blamed on the rapid increase in blood pressure and heart rate during sexual climax.

If the head pain is the worse ever experienced or resembles a “thunderclap” of pain, seek immediate medical attention. The pain may be a symptom of an un-ruptured aneurysm.