Diseases/Disorders of the Nervous System

Categories of Conditions

• Trauma

• Structural abnormalities

• Degenerative

• Infectious

• Mental Health

Concussion

• Traumatic blow to the head.

• No visible injury to the head.

• May have a brief loss of consciousness.

CVA: Stroke

• Occurs when:– A blood clot either blocks an artery;

– A blood vessel bursts;

altering the flow of blood to the brain.

• Brain cells begin to die and brain damage proceeds.

• Abilities of that area are adversely affected and can even be lost.

• Implications of a stroke can include a loss of speech, movement, and memory.

Categories of Conditions

• Trauma

• Infectious

• Structural abnormalities

• Degenerative

• Mental Health

Infections

• Encephalitis– Inflammation of the brain.

– Usually caused by a virus.

– Symptoms include:

• Flu-like symptoms

• Headache

• Irritability

• Lethargy

• Seizures

• Body aches and pains

• Meningitis– Inflammation of the meninges;

– Caused by bacteria, virus, or fungus.

– Symptoms include:

• Photophobia

• Headache

• Stiff neck

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Fever

Shingles

• Reactivation of the virus that causes chicken pox.

• Virus hibernates in nerve cells and can cause periodic inflammation throughout life.

• Can not cure but can decrease periods of reactivation through medication and stress control.

Categories of Conditions

• Trauma

• Infectious

• Structural abnormalities

• Degenerative

• Mental Health

Epilepsy

• Recurring seizure episodes due to abnormal over-activity of neurons.

• Cause is unknown; can be controlled through medication.

• Can exhibit as:– Grand mal: convulsive

seizures– Petit mal: absence

seizures.

Hydrocephalus

• Build up of fluid inside the brain.

• “Water on the Brain”• Can be due to blockage

of CSF in the ventricles.• Can be treated with the

placement of a shunt to drain excess fluid.

• Goal is to reduce brain damage due to excess swelling and pressure in the brain.

Categories of Conditions

• Trauma

• Infectious

• Structural abnormalities

• Degenerative

• Mental Health

Alzheimer’s Disease

• Progressive, fatal brain disease.

• Most common form of dementia.

• Progressive loss of cerebral brain matter due to build up of abnormal proteins.

• Affects up to 5 million Americans.

Parkinson’s Disease

• Gradual degeneration of nerve cells that control body movement.

• Typically begins in late 50’s, early 60’s.

• More common in men than women.

• Initial symptoms include:– Weakness– Trembling– Numbness

Multiple Sclerosis

• Results from loss of insulation (demyelination) of motor nerve fibers.

• Progressive loss of motor function.

• Initial symptoms include:– Weakness– Headaches– Trembling– Vision loss

Cerebral Palsy

• Abnormalities in parts of the brain that control muscle movement and coordination.

• Can occur due to problems during pregnancy and/or delivery.

• Signs usually appear before the age of three.

• Can affect muscle movement, hearing, vision, learning, and speech.

• Symptoms include:– Stiff/tight muscles– Spasticity in movement– Lack of muscle tone.

Categories of Conditions

• Trauma

• Infectious

• Structural abnormalities

• Degenerative

• Mental Health

Schizophrenia

• Disturbance in thinking, emotional reactions, and social behavior.

• Results in chronic illness and personality changes leading to hallucinations, delusions, and apathy.

• Affects about 2 millions Americans.

• Diagnosed between 15 and 25 years of age.

• Treated with behavior modification and medications.

OCD

• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

• Affects 3.3 million American adults

• Ritual or repetitive behaviors that interfere with a person’s ability to concentrate, function at work, or interact in social situations.

• Can be treated with medications and behavior therapy.

Depression

• Feelings of hopelessness, sadness, pessimism, and loss of interest in life.

• Most common mental health disorder.

• Affects 9.8 million Americans age 18 and older.

• 80% responds to medications and psychotherapy.

• Causes are typically biological/chemical and environmental.

Other Nervous System Conditions