Nervous System Diseases & Disorders Notes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Chronic, progressive, demyelinating autoimmune disorder (antibodies against myelin) Occurs during adult years, not geriatric S/S: variable, may last hours to weeks 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) Adult-onset motor neuron disease Progressive degeneration & loss of motor function Called Lou Gehrig’s Disease (1941) S/S: progressive muscle weakness, atrophy, and twitching Involves mouth, respiratory muscles, end-stage is complete paralysis Slurred speech, hoarseness, dysphagia, tripping & stumbling, trouble with usual daily activities