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