Nervous System: Medical Conditions

Causes of Disorders: Trauma Impact to the scull may cause damage to the interneurons of the brain - Swelling further damages cells -Loss of blood flow leads to a decrease in cellular respiration and cell death

Causes of Disorders: Infections Bacterial or viral infections damage cells Meningitis Polio

Causes of Disorders: Degeneration Genetic disorders such as Huntingtons, Parkinsons and Alzheimers produce proteins or lack of that cause a breakdown of neuron structure and results in cell death

Causes of Disorders: Structural Defects Constant and persistent damage to the nerves leads to permanent defects and death of neurons Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Bells Palsy

Causes of Disorders: Blood Flow Disruption Interneurons need a constant supply of oxygen to go through cellular respiration. Disruption in blood loss (and therefore lack of oxygen) causes neurons to die due to lack of energy. Stroke Hemorrhage Hematoma

Causes of Disorders: Autoimmune Disorders Immune system cells target and destroy neurons

Symptoms of Nervous System Disorders Persistent headaches Loss of feeling or tingling Memory Loss Impaired mental ability Lack of Coordination Tremors and Seizures Back pain that radiates to the feet, toes or other body parts Muscle wasting or slurred speech Language impairment

Health care: Neurology Branch of medicine that treats nervous system disorders

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Health care: Neurological Surgeon Doctor who does surgery to repair damaged blood vessels and tissues around neurons or removes portions of damaged neurons

Health care: Neuroradiologist Health care provider (technician) that scans and provides images of the brain or nervous system