1. Nervous System Diseases & Disorders Notes

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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