Nervous System Diseases Disorders Notes Head Trauma n

Nervous System Diseases & Disorders Notes

Head Trauma n n #1 cause of trauma deaths in US Many possible mechanisms of injury: n n n Falls Motor vehicle crashes Assaults

Concussion n Disruption of brain function due to physical brain injury n n n Typically follows a blow to the head S/S: headache, nausea, dizziness, amnesias, disorientation, vertigo, photophobia Treatment: REAP

CNS Infections n Acute Bacterial Meningitis n n Acute inflammation & infection of the CSF & the meninges Bacterial, viral, or fungal n Source n may be spread from blood or nasopharynx Most severe type = bacterial

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) n n Neurological impairment due to lack of blood supply to an area of the brain lasting more than 24 hours Clinical condition is called stroke Risk factors: same as for cardiovascular disease S/S: hemiplegia, dysphagia, diplopia & loss of visual fields, lack of coordination, confusion, sensory impairment

CVA n n Diagnostics: CT scan to rule out hemorrhage or tumor Treatment: n n Thrombolytic medicines “Clot busters” if stroke symptoms of 3 hrs or less Supportive care, nutritional, PT & OT

Epilepsy n Chronic brain disorder characterized by seizures Types of seizures: n Generalized (gran mal) n n n Involve entire body, unconscious Partial: part of the body is involve, conscious Petit mal: momentary, frequent unconscious episodes

Epilepsy n Can be caused by… n n n Trauma, tumors, CNS infection, drugs & toxins, etc S/S: classic generalized seizure Treatment: acute and long-term anticonvulsant meds

Degenerative Neurological Diseases n Alzheimer’s Disease n Fatal, long-term disease of the brain n Characterized by neurofibrillary tangles and “plaques” n Gradual & permanent deterioration of memory, judgment, cognitive and verbal skills n n Geriatric disorder in general Treatment: some meds slow progression, supportive care of patient and family

Parkinson’s Disease n n n Movement disorder characterized by muscle rigidity & tremors S/S: bradykinesia, involuntary tremors, muscular rigidity Treatment: dopamine replacement meds, PT, supportive

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) n n n Chronic, progressive, demyelinating autoimmune disorder (antibodies against myelin) Occurs during adult years, not geriatric S/S: variable, may last hours to weeks n n n Eye symptoms, paresthesias, paralysis, mood swings, balance problems, often sudden onset with relapses Treatment: meds Usual cause of death is due to chronic disability issues

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) n n n Adult-onset motor neuron disease n Progressive degeneration & loss of motor function Called Lou Gehrig’s Disease (1941) S/S: progressive muscle weakness, atrophy, and twitching n Involves mouth, respiratory muscles, end-stage is complete paralysis n Slurred speech, hoarseness, dysphagia, tripping & stumbling, trouble with usual daily activities