1. CHARACTERISTICS AND TEATMENT OF COMMON NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS

2. MENINGITIS Inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord
May be bacterial or viral
Symptoms – headache, fever, stiff neck
In severe form, may lead to paralysis, coma and death
Diagnosis – lumbar puncture
If bacterial, treat with antibiotics

3. epilepsy
Seizure disorder of the brain, characterized by recurring and excessive electrical discharge from neurons
Cause – uncertain
Grand mal seizure – severe, convulsive seizure
Petit mal seizure – milder, seems to be staring or daydreaming

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

5. CVA (stroke) Interruption of blood and oxygen to brain Tissue death
Third leading cause of death in U.S.
Risk factors – smoking, hypertension, heart disease, family history
Cause – 90% blood clots, 10% ruptured blood vessels in the brain
Symptoms – hemiplegia, sudden severe headache, dizziness, loss of vision in one eye, aphasia, dysphasia, coma, possible death

6. Paralysis and hemiplegia
Paralysis – loss of power of motion (movement) or sensation (feeling)
Hemiplegia – paralysis on one side of the body
What are quadriplegia and paraplegia?
See figure 8-13 pg. 166