Nervous System Diseases

Which diseases are congenital (present at birth)?

hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy

Which diseases are degenerative (progressive)?

ALS, carpal tunnel, multiple sclerosis, parkinson’s

hydrocephalus

accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in ventricles and subarachnoid in brain; can be congenital, acquired, or idiopathic

hydrocephalus SS

enlarged head, prominent forehead, bulging eyes, irritability, distended scalp veins

hydrocephalus Tx

surgical implantation of shunt to drain fluid

cerebral palsy

disturbance in voluntary muscle action caused by brain damage from LACK OF OXYGEN, birth injuries, prenatal rubella, or infections

cerebral palsy SS

exaggerated reflexes, tense muscles, contracture development, seizures, speech impairment, spasms

cerebral palsy Tx

physical/occupational/speech therapy, muscle relaxants, anti-convulsive drugs, casts, BRACES, or surgery

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Lou Gehrig’s disease)

chronic, degenerative neuromuscular disease. nerve cells in the CNS that control voluntary movement weaken causing weak and atrophy muscles

ALS SS

muscle weakness, abnormal reflexes, tripping and falling, impaired arm and hand movement, difficulty speaking or swallowing

ALS Tx

drugs

carpal tunnel syndrome

medial nerve and tendons that pass through a canal/tunnel from the forearm to the hands and fingers are pinched

carpal tunnel syndrome SS

pain, numbness, and tingling in the thumb, ring finger and middle finger, muscle weakness, and impaired movement

carpal tunnel syndrome Tx

anti-inflammatory meds, analgesics, rest, splinting, surgery

multiple sclerosis (MS)

chronic, progressive degeneration of MYELIN SHEATH in the CNS. occurs ages 20-40

MS SS

visual disturbances, weakness, fatigue, poor coordination, tingling and numbness, paralysis, emotional swings, and incontinence

MS Tx

physical therapy, muscle relaxants, steroids, and psychological counseling

parkinson’s disease

chronic, progressive degeneration of BRAIN cell, usually over 50 years old

parkinson’s disease SS

tremors, stiffness, muscular rigidity, a forward leaning position, a shuffling gait, difficultly in stopping while walking, loss of facial expression, drooling, depression

parkinson’s disease Tx

levodopa, physical therapy, surgery

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

brain attack or STROKE, when blood flow to the brain is impaired, so lack of oxygen destroys brain tissue; results from cerebral hemorrhage (90% from blood clots (thrombus), 10% from ruptured vessels

CVA SS

loss of consciousness, weakness or paralysis on one side of body, dizziness, dysphagia, visual disturbances

CVA Tx

within first 3 hours can help prevent brain damage with thrombolytic drugs, angioplasty, physical/occupational/speech therapy

encephalitis

inflammation of the brain, caused by a virus, bacteria, chemical agent, or a complication of measles, chicken pox

encephalitis SS

fever, extreme weakness, or lethargy, visual disturbances, headaches, vomiting, stiff neck, disorientation, seizures, coma

encephalitis Tx

antiviral drugs, maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance, and anti-seizure meds

epilepsy

seizure syndrome-abnormal electrical impulses in the brain neurons

epilepsy SS

loss of consciousness, convulsions with shaking/thrashing, hypersalivation causes foaming in mouth, loss of body

epilepsy Tx

anti-convulsant drugs

meningitis

inflammation of the meninges, caused by bacteria, toxins, virus

meningitis SS

high fever, headaches, back and neck pain and stiffness, N/V, delirium, convulsions, coma, death

meningitis Tx

antibiotics, antipyretics (fever), anticonvulsants, meds for pain and cerebral edema

paralysis

loss of fx and sensation that results from brain or spinal cord injury

hemiplegia

paralysis on one side of body; caused by tumor, injury or CVA

paraplegia

paralysis in lower extremities/lower part of body; caused by spinal cord injury

quadriplegia

paralysis of arms, legs, and body below spinal cord injury

paralysis Tx

supportive methods, including physical/occupational therapy

neuralgia

nerve pain, caused by inflammation, pressure, toxins

neuralgia Tx

eliminate cause of pain

shingles (herpes zoster)

acute inflammation of nerve cells; caused by herpes virus

shingles SS

fluid-filled vesicles, severe pain, redness, itching, fever

shingles Tx

directed toward relieving pain and itching