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Week 14. The Nervous System Health Problems
1. Central Nervous System (CNS) Disorders ● Stroke ○ Description: A sudden disruption of blood supply to the brain. Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked, usually by a clot. Hemorrhagic stroke happens when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding into the surrounding tissue. ○ Symptoms: Sudden onset of weakness or numbness on one side of the body, facial drooping, speech problems (such as slurred speech or difficulty understanding), severe headache, dizziness, and loss of balance or coordination. ○ Treatment: For ischemic stroke, treatment may include clot - busting drugs (thrombolytics) if given within a specific time frame, as well as medications to prevent further clot formation. Hemorrhagic stroke may
require surgical intervention to stop the bleeding and relieve pressure on the brain. ● Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) ○ Description: Caused by a sudden, violent blow or jolt to the head, or when an object penetrates the skull. It can range from a mild concussion to severe brain damage. ○ Symptoms: Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, memory problems, changes in mood or behavior, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness, seizures, or coma. ○ Treatment: Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Mild TBIs may require rest and symptom management. Severe cases may need surgical procedures to remove blood clots, relieve pressure on the brain, or repair damaged tissue. ● Brain Tumors ○ Description: Abnormal growths of cells in the brain. They can be benign (non - cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Tumors can press on surrounding brain tissue, causing various problems.
Medications may include disease - modifying therapies, corticosteroids for relapses, and drugs to manage specific symptoms. ● Parkinson's Disease ○ Description: A progressive neurological disorder that affects movement. It is caused by the loss of dopamine - producing cells in the brain. ○ Symptoms: Tremors (shaking) of the hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head, muscle stiffness, slow movement (bradykinesia), problems with balance and coordination, and changes in speech and writing. ○ Treatment: Treatment focuses on managing symptoms. Medications such as levodopa (which is converted to dopamine in the brain) and other dopamine - enhancing drugs are commonly used. In some cases, deep brain stimulation (DBS) may be an option for more severe cases.
2. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) Disorders ● Peripheral Neuropathy ○ Description: A general term for damage to the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by
various factors, including diabetes (diabetic neuropathy), alcoholism, vitamin deficiencies, certain medications, and autoimmune diseases. ○ Symptoms: Numbness, tingling, burning or shooting pain in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, and problems with balance and coordination. In severe cases, it can lead to loss of sensation and difficulty with daily activities. ○ Treatment: Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause (e.g., managing diabetes, reducing alcohol intake, correcting vitamin deficiencies). Medications may be used to relieve pain, and physical therapy can help improve muscle strength and function. ● Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ○ Description: A common condition that occurs when the median nerve, which runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, is compressed. This can be due to repetitive hand movements, such as typing or using vibrating tools, or conditions like pregnancy or rheumatoid arthritis. ○ Symptoms: Numbness, tingling, and pain in the hand and fingers, especially the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. The symptoms may be worse at night or after repetitive hand use.
○ Description: A form of low blood pressure that occurs when a person stands up from a sitting or lying position. The autonomic nervous system fails to properly regulate blood pressure, causing a sudden drop. ○ Symptoms: Dizziness, light - headedness, blurred vision, and in severe cases, fainting. ○ Treatment: Treatment includes increasing fluid and salt intake, wearing compression stockings, and in some cases, medications to raise blood pressure. ● Autonomic Neuropathy ○ Description: Damage to the nerves of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and sweating. It can be caused by diabetes, alcoholism, and certain autoimmune diseases. ○ Symptoms: Dizziness, fainting, abnormal heart rate, constipation or diarrhea, urinary problems (such as incontinence or difficulty urinating), and changes in sweating (either excessive or reduced).
○ Treatment: Treatment focuses on managing the underlying cause and treating the specific symptoms. For example, medications may be used to regulate blood pressure or manage digestive problems.
4. Epilepsy ● Description: A neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy can be caused by genetic factors, brain injuries, infections, or other underlying medical conditions. ● Symptoms: Seizure symptoms can vary widely. Some seizures may cause a person to lose consciousness, fall to the ground, and have convulsions (uncontrolled muscle movements). Other seizures may cause a brief lapse of awareness, staring spells, or involuntary movements of a part of the body. ● Treatment: Treatment usually involves antiepileptic medications to control seizures. In some cases, surgery may be an option if the seizures are caused by a specific, identifiable area of the brain.
