Disorders of the Nervous System

1. Disorders of the Nervous System

2. Meningitis • Inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord • May be bacterial or viral • Symptoms-HA, fever, and stiff neck • In severe form, may lead to paralysis, coma and death • If bacterial, may be treated with antibiotics • Diagnosis lumbar puncture

3. Epilepsy • Seizure disorder of the brain, characterized by recurring and excessive discharge from neurons • Seizures believed to be result of spontaneous, uncontrolled electrical activity of neurons • Cause- uncertain • Grand mal- severe, convulsive seizure • Petit mal - milder, seems to be staring or daydreaming

4. Progressive disease that begins with problems remembering Nerve endings in cortex of brain degenerate and block signals that pass between nerve cells Abnormal fibers build up creating tangles Cause- unknown First stage(2-4 years) involves confusion, short term memory loss, anxiety, poor judgment. 2nd stage (2-10 years) increase in memory loss, difficulty recognizing people, motor problems, logic problems, and loss of social skills 3rd stage (1-3 years) inability to recognize oneself, weight loss, seizures, mood swings and aphasia. Alzheimer’s Disease

5. Definitions • Paralysis- loss of power of motion or sensation “disabling of a nerve” • Hemiplegia- paralysis on one side of the body can be caused by a stroke

6. Stroke or CVA Interruption of blood and O2 to brain Tissue death Third leading cause of death in USA Risk Factors Smoking Hypertension Heart disease Family history Cerebral Vascular Accident

7. Causes of CVA • 90% caused by blood clots • Clots lodge in carotid arteries, blocking the flow of blood to the brain • 10% caused by ruptured blood vessels in the brain

8. Symptoms • Hemiplegia on opposite side of the body • Sudden, severe headache • Dizziness • Sudden loss of vision in one eye • Aphasia • Dysphasia • Coma • Possible death

9. Treatment • Get to the hospital immediately! • CT done to determine etiology • If clot, treatment aimed at dissolving clot Prevention If TIAs (Transient Ischemic Attack)– one aspirin a day Stop smoking Exercise and lose weight Control hypertension

10. Hydrocephalus • Condition that involves an increased volume of CSF within the ventricles of the brain • Usual cause is a blockage somewhere in the 3rd or 4th ventricles • Enlarged head, usually noted at birth • Bypass or shunt operation –used to divert the CSF around the blocked area- prevents buildup of pressure on brain tissue.

11. Multiple Sclerosis • Chronic inflammatory disease of the CNS in which immune cells attack/destroy the myelin sheath of nerve cell axons – leaves scar tissue • This scarring delays or blocks the transmission of nerve impulses in the affected area • No known cause or definitive test • Dx is based on S&S of impairment to >one area of CNS occuring at >one time

12. Multiple Sclerosis • Symptoms: weakness of extremities, numbness, double vision, nystagmus (tremorous movement of the eye), speech problems, loss of coordination, and paralysis. • Occurs between ages 20-40, 2/3 women • Have periods of outbreaks and remissions • Autoimmune: interferon and Avonex slow progression and decrease # of flare ups • Adequate rest, exercise and minimal stress may also lessen the effects of MS

14. Neuritis • Inflammation of a nerve or a nerve trunk • Symptoms: severe pain, hypersensitivity, loss of sensation, muscular atrophy, weakness and paresthesia (tingling, burning, and crawling of the skin) • Causes: infectious, chemical, or due to other conditions such as chronic alcoholism • In alcoholics, usually because lack of Vit. B or improper diet • Tx: painkillers

15. Cerebral Palsy • A disturbance in voluntary muscular action due to brain damage • Causes: unknown, may be due to birth injury or abnormal brain development • Symptoms: spastic quadriplegia, head rolling, grimacing, and difficulty in speech and swallowing • Usually no intellect impairment

16. Parkinson’s disease • Characterized by tremors, a shuffling gait, pill-rolling (movement of thumb and index finger), and muscular rigidity • Cause: decrease of neurotransmitter; dopamine • Tx: L-dopa and other drugs to help control symptoms of disease

17. Poliomyelitis • Disease of the nerve pathways of the spinal cord which causes paralysis • Vaccine by Sabin and Salk

18. Spinal cord injury • a medical emergency • usually begin with a blow that fractures or dislocates your vertebrae • In a complete spinal cord injury, the cord can't relay messages below the level of the injury • In an incomplete injury, you have some movement and sensation below the injury • Tx: medicine and rehabilitation therapy

19. West Nile Virus • a potentially serious illness • Symptoms: fever, HA, neck stiffness, disorientation, body aches, N&V, coma, tremors, convulsions, vision loss, numbness and paralysis • Risk factors: Being outside, people over 50 • Transmission: Infected Mosquitoes, transfusions, transplants, and Mother-to-Child

20. West Nile Virus • Prevention: community-based mosquito control programs and personal protection • Tx: no specific treatment