More Information About the Diagnoses

— -- A) "The Bends:" Also known as decompression syndrome, the bends is a condition related to scuba diving. The high pressure of a deep dive dissolves nitrogen from the air tank into the diver's blood. When the diver returns to the normal pressure at the surface, the nitrogen bubbles out into the blood, and can cause pain or numbness in joints (particularly in the arms), weakness, dizziness, or other stroke-like symptoms.

B) Stroke: An interruption of blood flow to the brain. A stroke's symptoms, which can come and go, can include weakness, usually on one side of the body, coordination problems, vision disturbances, and difficulty speaking.

C) Hormone Imbalance: Hormones control basic body functions and mood, so a hormone imbalance can cause sleep problems, dizziness, problems with metabolism and energy, depression, lethargy, and hyperactivity.

D) Multiple Sclerosis: A chronic disease of the nervous system, the body mistakenly attacks the sheaths that cover and protect the nerves. MS is more common in women, often strikes between the ages of 20 and 50, is affected by hormones, and has symptoms that include visual changes, fatigue, slurred speech, numbness and dizziness.