Chapter 15: Nervous System diseases and disorders

Stroke Related Facts and Stats

• Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke. 

• Every 3.25 minutes, someone dies from a stroke. 

• In 2022, 1 in every 6 deaths from cardiovascular disease was due to stroke.

• Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability.

• Risk of having a first stroke is nearly twice as high for blacks as for whites, and blacks have the highest rate of death due to stroke.

• A stroke is sometimes called a brain attack

• 2 million brain cells die during a stroke, increasing the risk of permanent brain damage, disability, or death

• Someone in the US dies of CVD every 34 seconds → 2552 deaths each day

• Someone in the US dies of a stroke every 3 minutes and 14 seconds →446 deaths each day

The stroke belt includes ________.

Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia

• Stroke map overlaps with hypertension map; highest stroke death rates in states are the one with the most HBP and diabetes

Parkinson’s Stats and Facts

• Nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with Parkinson's disease (PD).

• Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with PD each year.

• Men are 1.5 times more likely to have Parkinson's disease than women.

• Most people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s around age 60 → 20-50 is considered early onset

Alzheimer’s Facts and Stats

• More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s by 2050. This is projected to rise to 13 million.

• In the US, Alzheimer’s and dementia deaths have increased 16% during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. It kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

• In 2021, Alzheimer’s and dementia will cost the nation $355 billion. By 2050, it will be as high as $1 trillion.

• More than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

• In 2020, these caregivers provided an estimated 15.3 billion hours of care valued at nearly $257 billion.

• Only 53% of black Americans trust that a future cure of Alzheimer’s will be shared equally.

• 3 in 1 Hispanics do not believe they will live long enough to develop dementia.

• Between 2000 and 2019, Deaths from heart diseases decreased by 7.3% while deaths from Alzheimer’s increased by 145%.

Shingles Facts and Stats

• Nearly 500,000 people over 60 get shingles every year in the US.

• Almost 1 in 3 adults will get shingles during their lifetime.

• 98% of adults have had chickenpox and are at risk for shingles.

Multiple Sclerosis Facts and Stats

• MS is more prominent in females than males (74% females and only 26% males)

• Nearly 1 million people in the US have MS

Nervous System

• Consists of brain, spinal cord, and nerves

• Central nervous system: Brain and Spinal cord

• Peripheral nervous system: Autonomic nervous system and Cranial and spinal nerves

Parts of the Brain

• Cerebrum

• Cerebellum

• Brainstem

• Part of the CNS

The cerebrum initiates ______.

and coordinates movement and regulates temperature, enables speech, judgment, thinking and reasoning, problem-solving, emotions and learning. Functions related to vision, hearing, touch and other senses.

Cerebellum

Coordinates voluntary muscle movements and to maintain posture, balance and equilibrium. 

The brainstem connects the ________.

cerebrum with the spinal cord and includes the midbrain, the pons and the medulla. Many activities are controlled here including involuntary actions such as breathing, heart beating, blood flowing, etc. 

The way the brain responds to trauma and recovery is _______.

different for every person

Spinal cord

• Part of CNS

• Conduit for signals between the brain and the rest of the body. 

• Controls simple musculoskeletal reflexes without input from the brain.

• Some cells of the central nervous system are so specialized that they cannot divide and create new cells. 

  • As a result, recovery from a brain or spinal cord injury is much more difficult.

Peripheral Nervous System

Peripheral nerves reside outside your brain and spinal cord. Relays information between your brain and the rest of your body.

• 2 main parts: Autonomic nervous system (ANS) and Somatic nervous system (SNS)

Autonomic Nervous system

Controls involuntary bodily functions and regulates glands. 

• Sympathetic = controls the body’s changes in response to stressors, such as increasing heart rate or blood pressure aka fight or flight response

• Parasympathetic = controls the changes in the body needed to relax and restore function such as returning blood pressure to normal

Somatic Nervous system (SNS)

Controls muscle movement and relays information from ears, eyes, and skin to the central nervous system. 

Common signs and symptoms of nervous system disorders

• headache

• nausea and vomiting

• mood swings

• weakness

• fever

Symptoms specific to CNS

• Dysphasia or inability to speak

• stiffness in neck, back, or extremities

• inability to move any part of the body

• paralysis

• seizures or convulsions

• visual difficulties

• unconsciousness

• amnesia or extreme forgetfulness

• extreme or prolonged tiredness

Diagnostic tests

• Motor/Reflex Tests: mallet touching knees and elbows

• Sensory Tests: put something warm or cold or use a needle to see if you can feel it

Neurological Exams:

• Cerebrospinal fluid = to test for infections

• Measurement of intracranial pressure = for brain injury/trauma

• X-rays of skull and vertebral column

• Myelogram = inject dye in spinal column

• Angiogram = inject dye into bloodstream to see if it flows properly

• Electroencephalography (E E G)

• CT and MRI

Encephalitis

Inflammation of brain tissue caused by bacteria and viruses, and bite of mosquitoes 

• Symptoms:

  • Headache

  • Sensitivity to light

  • Elevated temperature

  • Stiff neck and back

  • Lethargy

  • Mental confusion

  • Coma

• Treatment:

  • Treatment may be supportive and first determine what is the cause

  • happens more in young people

  • early diagnosis and treatment is key for survival

  • Antiviral medication may be effective

Meningitis

Inflammation of meninges or coverings of brain and spinal cord

• Causes:

  • Bacteria

  • Virus

  • Fungi

  • Toxins

    • E.g., lead, arsenic

• At - Risk groups –

  • Under 5 = more in groups and sharing

  • 16 – 25 = more in groups, sharing, and college

  • Over 55 = immunocompromised

• Can be life threatening

Meningitis (cont.)

• Symptoms:

  • Stiffness and resistance in neck (nuchal rigidity)

  • Coma

  • Rash

  • Seizures

  • Fever

  • Sleepy

  • Dislike lights

  • Confusion and vomiting

• Diagnosis

  • Lumbar puncture to find causative agent

• Treatment

  • Antibiotics for bacterial infection

  • Antipyretics

  • Anticonvulsants

  • Quiet, dark environment

The best prevention for meningitis is ______.

vaccines (for A & E meningitis)

Poliomyelitis (polio) (cont.)

• Symptoms:

  • Muscle weakness

  • Neck stiffness

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Muscles atrophy and become paralyzed

• Diagnosis

  • Virus culture from throat, feces, and/or spinal fluid

• Supportive treatment:

  • Analgesics

  • Bedrest during acute phase

  • Long-term physical therapy and braces may be needed

  • If respiratory system involved, mechanical ventilation may be needed

Polio spreads by _______.

air droplets and airborne particles from fecal matter

Polio was eradicated in the US until 2022 when ______.

there was a case in an un-vaccinated individual in New York who traveled to a foreign country

Tetanus

Highly fatal infection of nerve tissue

• Cause

  • Bacteria Clostridium tetani

• First symptom:

  • Jaw stiffness

  • Commonly called lockjaw (can’t talk or eat)

  • muscle spasms

  • stomach pain and seizures

• Treatment: 

  • Human Tetanus Immune Globulin (TIG)

  • Aggressive wound care

  • Antibiotics

  • Tetanus Vaccine

Vaccines for tetanus are recommended _______.

to take every 10 years

• available for every age group

Rabies

• An often fatal encephalomyelitis

• Caused by a virus

• Primarily affects animals: E.g., raccoons, foxes, skunks, BATS

• Transmitted to humans through bite of infected animal

• 1-3 cases of rabies in humans annually

Rabies is usually from _______.

contact with bats; most bites from bats go unnoticed cause of their small teeth which is dangerous

• 2023 7 y/o in Texas died last year, bit by bat but no noticeable marks so parents did not take action, died about 3 months later, this past November art teacher in CA also bitten by infected bat found in her classroom, died less than a month later

Rabies (cont.)

• Symptoms: Fever, Pain, Paralysis, Convulsions, Rage, Spasms and paralysis of muscles for swallowing, Throat spasms leading to hydrophobia, Inability to swallow, and Drooling of frothy saliva

• Treatment: Immediate washing of area with soap and water, give immunoglobin, and then Anti-rabies injections – Series of 4 shots over 14 day period

• No cure; once symptoms appears it’s too late

Shingles

Viral disease caused by herpes zoster (chicken pox virus)

• Symptoms

  • Burning or tingling pain

  • Itchy, painful, red rash 

  • Rash becomes fluid filled blisters

  • Symptoms last 10 days to several weeks

• Diagnosis

  • Made based on the appearance of lesions → visual examination

  • Viral culture test

• Anyone who has had chickenpox can develop this

Shingles (cont.)

• Treatment:

  • There is no cure

  • Treatment is symptomatic

  • Antivirals

  • Analgesics

  • Antipyretics

  • Antipruritic 

• Two shot vaccine recommended for adults over age 50

Cerebrovascular Accident

• Also known as stroke

• Is due to a poor blood supply to the brain

Causes

• Cerebral thrombus = plaque in brain blocks arteries or veins

• Cerebral embolism = blood clot travels to the brain

• Cerebral hemorrhage

Cerebrovascular attack (cont.)

• Symptoms: numerous symptoms depending on the area of the brain affected and the severity of the C V A

  • Sudden loss of consciousness

  • Confusion

  • Poor coordination

  • Dysphasia

  • Dysphagia

  • Hemiparesis (paralysis on one side of the body)

Spotting a stroke acronym

• Balance

• Eyesight changes: can only see bottom vision or only part of vision is dark

• Face dropping

• Arm weakness: can’t hold up their arms

• Speech difficulties: all of a sudden can’t talk or understand speech

• Time: call 911 and look at the time and tell paramedics when they arrive → certain medications have to be given in a certain window of time

Stroke on the right of the brain ______.

affects the left side of the body

• left-side paralysis

• memory deficits

• impulsive behavior

• attention span

• movements on the left side of the body

• emotional stability

• awareness on left side of the body

Stroke on the left side of the brain  _________.

affects the right side of the body

• right side paralysis

• memory deficits

• slow behavior

• speech impairment

• motor speech, understanding math, and writing

• recognizing objects and remembering written info

• emotional control

CVA (cont.)

• Diagnosis

  • Physical exam, E E G, C T scan, and M R I

• Treatment:

  • Anticoagulant

  • Hypertensive medications

  • Rehabilitation program

• Risk factors:

  • Smoking

  • High-fat diet

  • Obesity

  • Lack of exercise

  • High Blood Pressure

• Surgical prevention treatment:

  • Carotid endarterectomy

Transient Ischemiac attacks (TIAs)

• Also known as mini-strokes

• Due to insufficient blood supply to brain for a short time between 1-24 hours

• Symptoms:

  • Weakness of arm and/or leg

  • Dizziness

  • Slurred speech

  • Mild loss of consciousness

• Symptoms last few minutes to 1 hour

• Diagnosis by angiogram

• Treatment:

  • Surgery to improve blood flow

Degenerative Disk Disease

• Degeneration or wearing away of intervertebral disk

  • Allows vertebrae to bump or rub against each other

• Symptoms:

  • Difficulty walking

  • Radiating pain in back and in one or both legs

• Diagnosis by X-ray, myelogram, C T scan, and M R I

• Treatment:

  • Rest back and legs

  • Back brace

  • Physical therapy

  • Analgesics

  • Anti-inflammatories

  • Exercise to ease pain

  • Surgery is last resort

MRI is the most common for _______.

degenerative disk diseases as it gives a better picture of the spinal cord

Headaches

One of the most common disorders in humans

Usually, a symptom of another disease rather than a disorder in and of itself

Disorders that typically have headaches as a symptom include:

• Sinusitis

• Meningitis

• Encephalitis

• Hypertension

• Anemia

• Constipation

• Premenstrual tension

• Tumors

• Caffeine withdrawal

Headaches stem from two common ________.

mechanisms: Tension on facial, neck, and scalp muscles and Vascular changes in arterial size of vessels inside head

• Contributing factors: Stress, Toxic fumes (harsh or overpowering smells), Noise, Lack of sleep, and Alcohol consumption

Headaches may be ______.

acute (occur every once in a while) or chronic (consistent or for a long period of time)

• Pain may be mild to unbearable and incapacitating

• Pain may be constant, pressure, throbbing, stabbing, or intermittent

• Common Types:

  • Tension: “stress headache”; pain in occipital area

  • Cluster

  • Following lumbar puncture

  • Migraine

Headache (cont.)

• Diagnosis:

  • History and physical, X-ray, E E G, M R I, and C T

• Treatment:

  • Lifestyle changes – improved diet, sleep, exercise

  • Analgesics

  • Bedrest

  • Muscle massage

  • Muscle relaxants

  • Warm baths

  • Biofeedback: see how brain reacts which helps for treatment

Cluster headache

These headaches occur at night after falling asleep. Can be caused by stress, emotional trauma, or unknown reasons. Severe throbbing pain behind the nose and one eye.

Migraine headache

Severe incapacitating headache commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances. Individuals can experience a visual aura, a sensation that preceded the event, flashing lights or photophobia. Occur 2X more in women than men.

Epilepsy

• Chronic disease of brain

• Intermittent episodes of abnormal electrical activity in brain

• Symptoms:

  • Seizure

  • Convulsions

• Common types of seizures

  • Focal onset-seizures (Petit mal)

  • Generalized onset-seizures (Grand mal) 

  • Status epilepticus

• Diagnosis by EEG, CT scan, cerebral angiogram, and blood tests

• Treatment:

  • Anticonvulsive medications

  • Close monitoring and adjusting of medication

  • If conclusions last for 5 minutes call 911

Focal onset-seizures (Petit mal)

• Brief change in consciousness without convulsions

• Still have awareness of surroundings

Generalized onset-seizures (Grand mal)

• Convulsions

• Loss of consciousness

• Loss of control on bladder and fecal matter

• See visual rainbow aura before event

Status epilepticus

• Life threatening

• Continuous series of convulsions

• No recovery

Bell’s Palsy

• Affects facial nerve (7th cranial) leading to unilateral (one-sided) paralysis

• Affects individuals 20 to 60 years of age →pregnant women or people with diabetes, flu, Covid, etc.

• Symptoms:

  • Drooping weakness of eye and mouth

  • Inability to close the affected eye → given patch to cover eye

  • Drooling of saliva

  • Unable to whistle or smile

  • Distorted facial appearance

• Diagnosis by history and symptoms

• Treatment:

  • Analgesics

  • Anti-inflammatories

Ball’s Palsy begins _______.

suddenly and worsens over 24 hours

• last 2-8 weeks

Parkinson’s Disease

• Slow, progressive brain degeneration

• Cause is unknown, but may be related to a decrease of brain neurotransmitter – dopamine

• Symptoms: Rigidity and immobility of hand, Very slow speech pattern, Pill-rolling motion of fingers, Expressionless facial appearance, Abnormal bent-forward posture; Short, fast-running steps with shuffling appearance, and Bradykinesia

• Symptoms appear after age 55 or earlier

• Symptomatic treatment: Dopamine replacement, Physical, and psychological therapy

• No Prevention

Dementias

• Loss of mental ability due to loss of neurons or brain cells

• Types of dementia

  • Senile (old age)

    • Alzheimer’s disease – the most common type of senile dementia

    • Senile and Alzheimer’s disease are often used synonymously, but they are not the same.

  • Vascular

  • Head trauma

  • Substance induced

Alzheimer’s Disease

• A form of senile dementia

• Usually affects individuals age 60 and older → in younger people its early onset (have a shorter life expectancy)

• Early symptoms:

  • Short-term memory loss

  • Inability to concentrate

  • Slight changes in personality

• Diagnosis: Positive only by autopsy and Initially, diagnosis may be made by ruling out other brain diseases

• Treatment: Supportive, no known cure; Focused on safety, maintaining nutrition, hydration, personal hygiene; Emotional support for family and caregivers

Early-stage Alzheimer’s

• Function independently - may still drive, work and socialize. May experience memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects.

• Symptoms - not widely apparent at this stage, - family and close friends may notice and a doctor would be able to identify symptoms using certain diagnostic tools.

• Some may be eligible to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments that can change the course of disease progression.

Middle-stage Alzheimer’s

• Longest stage - can last for many years. 

• Sx become more pronounced, 

• Require a greater level of care → need to be watched constantly by family or caregiver

• Damage to brain nerve cells make it difficult to express thoughts and perform routine tasks without assistance.

• In this stage, the person living with Alzheimer's can still participate in daily activities with assistance.

Late-stage Alzheimer’s

• Dementia symptoms are severe. 

• May forget people or confuse their identity.

• Lose the ability to respond to their environment, to carry on a conversation and, eventually, to control movement. They may still say words or phrases, but communicating pain becomes difficult. 

• As memory and cognitive skills continue to worsen, significant personality changes may take place, requiring individuals to need extensive care.

• May not be able to initiate much engagement during this stage, still benefit from interaction in ways that are appropriate, like listening to relaxing music or receiving reassurance through gentle touch.

4 Pillars of Prevention

• Diet and supplements—healthy diet, including lean proteins, fruits and vegetables,. 

• Stress management—including meditation, deep breathing, massage, and prayer. 

• Exercise and brain aerobics—150 minutes cardio and strength training. Brain aerobics – reading, crossword puzzles

• Spiritual fitness - connectedness

The duration of stages for Alzheimer’s ________.

vary for each person

Vascular Dementia

• 2nd most common form of dementia

• Atrophy and death of brain cells due to decreased blood flow

• Atherosclerotic plaque can cause decreased blood flow → common with aging

• Symptoms: Changes in memory, personality, and judgment, Irritability, Depression, Sleeplessness, and Lack of personal hygiene

• Diagnosis: History and physical, blood flow testing

• Treatment: Increasing blood flow to brain and Carotid endarterectomy

Head trauma

• Death of brain cells due to head trauma

• Symptoms:

  • Decrease in mental intellect and cognitive function

  • Loss of ability to reason, remember, or show appropriate emotions

  • Changes in personality

• Diagnosis:

  • History, cranial X-rays, C T scan, and M R I

• Treatment:

  • Correct damage, if possible

  • Therapy and rehabilitation

• Prevention:

  • Is often easy to prevent with proper use of protective equipment

Head trauma is more common in _______.

males aged 14-24

Subtstance-Induced Dementia

• Brain cell death from drug toxicity and toxins in the environment

• aka “Pseudo dementia” →symptoms are usually temporary

• Toxic substances include: Alcohol, Cocaine, Heroine, Lead, Mercury, Paint fumes and thinner, and Insecticides

• Symptoms: Mental impairment and Decreased cognitive ability

• For toxins in the environment, such as lead and mercury, symptoms go away based on how much of it is in your system.

Sleep Apnea

• Characterized by periods of breathlessness

• Causes:

  • More common in men

  • Obesity

  • Hypertension

  • Airway obstruction

  • Alcohol ingestion

  • Cigarette smoking

• Symptoms:

  • Daytime sleepiness

  • Extreme snoring

  • Changes in personality

  • Depression

  • Impotence in men

• Diagnosis:

  • Monitoring affected individual during sleep for apnea (sleep study) and low blood oxygen levels → must have 5 periods of not breathing for 10 minutes over several hours

Sleep Apnea (cont.)

• Treatment: Based on cause, Weight loss, Surgery to correct nasal obstruction, Oxygen during sleep, and Medications to stimulate breathing

• Prevention: Most cases can be prevented by maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding alcohol, not smoking, and avoiding environmental smoke.

Brain tumor

• Classified as primary and secondary

• Primary tumors are called brain tumors

• Secondary tumors are named after the organ of origin

• Cause:

  • Unknown

• Symptoms: Vary based on what part of the brain is affected

  • Headache

  • Vomiting

  • Seizures

  • Changes in mood and personality

  • Visual disturbance

  • Loss of memory

Concussions and Contusions

• Concussion less serious than contusion, no injury to the brain

• Contusion is a physical bruising of the brain tissue

• Cause

  • Blow to head by object, fall, or other trauma

    • E.g., automobile accident

• Symptoms:

  • Disruption of normal electrical activity in brain – unconsciousness

  • Unconsciousness may last a few seconds to several hours

  • Headache

  • Blurred vision

Concussions and Contusions (cont.)

• Symptoms:

  • Irritability

  • Draw up knees and begin vomiting

• Contusions can lead to:

  • Hematoma

  • Increased intracranial pressure (I C P) → from brain swelling

  • Permanent brain damage

• Coup and contrecoup contusions

• Diagnosis: History of injury, neurologic examination, cranial X-ray, C T scan, and M R I

Coup Contusion

A bruise on the brain directly where the head is struck.

Contrecoup Contusion

A bruise or contusion on the brain on the opposite side of the initial impact.

• After the initial impact, the brain continues to move and slams against the opposite side of the skull. 

• Ex: Whiplash in a car accident

Treatment for Concussions and Contusions

• Bedrest

• Direct observation

  • Individual should be checked every 2 to 4 hours

• Monitoring of changes in consciousness, eye pupil size, mood, and behavior

• Decrease screentime

• Analgesics, stimulants, and sedatives should not be given

• Medications may mask symptoms and make assessment difficult

Skull Fracture

• A break in a cranial (skull) bone

• Greatest danger:

  • Brain tissue damage from bony fragments

  • Potential of cutting brain tissue, severing vessels causing hematoma

• Brain damage may be temporary or permanent

• Symptoms: Variety of symptoms depending on location of fracture, Fracture near base of skull may cause impaired breathing, Hemiparesis, Seizures, and Infection

• Treatment: Dependent on type and position of fracture, Craniotomy may be necessary to relieve I C P, and Protective headgear may be necessary until fracture healed

Epideural Hematoma

A collection of blood between the bony skull and dura mater (outer meninges).

• Cause:

  • Usually, the result of a fight or accident

  • Blood vessels rupture and hemorrhage or seep blood usually rapidly over a period of hours

• Symptoms:

  • Usually occur within a few hours

  • Headache

  • Dilated pupils

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

• Symptoms:

  • Dizziness

  • As the hematoma grows: 

    • Loss of consciousness

    • Increase in I C P

Subdural Hematoma

A collection of blood between the dura mater (outer layer) and the arachnoid (middle layer).

• Occurs twice as often as epidural.

• Blood vessels rupture and seep blood slowly, usually over a period of days.

• Cause:

  • Usually, the result of head hitting stationary object → As is seen with falls when the head hits the floor

• Symptoms:

  • Hemiparesis

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Dizziness

  • Convulsions

  • Loss of consciousness

Epidural and Subdural Hematoma

• Diagnosis:

  • Cerebral hematoma is made by

    • Clinical history

    • Cranial X-ray

    • C T or M R I

• Treatment:

  • Goal is to decrease I C P

  • Pressure can be relieved by

    • Special craniotomy called burr holes

    • Electrical cauterization

Head injuries have ______.

increased in the US

Spinal Cord Injury

• Usually results when the bony spinal column is injured or fractured

• Happen more in men

• The cord can be injured at any level

  • Neck area is most vulnerable → C1 to C4

• Cause:

  • Automobile accidents – leading cause

  • Gunshot and knife wounds

  • Falls and sports injuries

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury

• Symptoms:

  • Varying degrees of injury

  • Injury to C1-C3 is usually fatal

  • Quadriplegia – spinal cord paralysis

    • Loss of movement and feeling in trunk and all four extremities

    • Loss of bowel, bladder, and sexual function

    • If severe, respiratory ventilation

  • Paraplegia

    • Loss of movement and feeling in trunk and both legs

    • Loss of bowel, bladder, and sexual function

Spinal Cord Injury (cont.)

• Diagnosis:

  • History of injury, neurologic exam, spinal X-rays, CT scan, and MRI

• Emergency treatment:

  • Immediate treatment necessary

  • Do not move individual unless surroundings unsafe

  • Maintain position of spine with special collars and backboards

• Treatment:

  • Realignment and stabilization of bony spinal column

  • Decompression or release of pressure on spinal cord

  • Prevent further injury

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

• Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease

• More in men over 50

• Destructive disease of motor or movement neurons

• Atrophy of muscles leading to progressive loss of movement of hands, arms, and legs

• Issues with speaking and breathing

• Supportive treatment →about keeping them comfortable

• Timeline varies for each person

• No cure

Guillain Barre Syndrome

• Acute, progressive disease affecting spinal nerves

• Cause - unknown; maybe from certain viruses or infections

• Most people have a full recovery

• Recommend people with this disease to not take flu shots. 

• Begins 10 to 21 days after febrile illness

• Early symptoms:

  • Nausea

  • Fever

  • Malaise

Guillain Barre Syndrome (cont.)

• Within 24 to 72 hours, paresthesia, muscle weakness, and paralysis usually begin.

• Symptoms may progress for several days to weeks.

• Once progression ceases, recovery begins.

• Supportive treatment

• Recovery usually complete

Huntington’s Chorea

• Inherited disease

• Appears during middle age

• Progressive degenerative disease of brain

• Leads to mental deterioration

• Symptoms:

  • Loss of muscle control and chorea

  • Changes in personality mood, and behavior

  • Loss of memory and dementia

• Supportive treatment

• No cure

Multiple Sclerosis

• Causes:

  • Demyelination of C N S nerves → damage to outer casing of nerves causing messages to not flow properly

  • Allows information to leak from nerve pathway

  • Leads to poor or absent nerve transmission

• Symptoms:

  • Muscle weakness and lack of coordination

  • Paresthesia

  • Speech difficulty

  • Loss of bladder function

  • Visual disturbance, especially diplopia

Multiple Sclerosis (cont.)

• Affects adults between ages 20 and 40.

• Periods of remission and exacerbation → autoimmune disease

• Treatment: Physical therapy and Muscle relaxants to maintain muscle tone and reduce spastic movement

Effects of Aging

• DECREASED NERVOUS SYSTEM ACTIVITY IN BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD.

• LOSS OF SHORT-TERM MEMORY.

• LOSS OF VISUAL ACUITY AND PERIPHERAL VISION.

• ALTERED SLEEP PATTERNS.

Parts of the brain

Brainstem, cerebrum, and cerebellum

Shingles typically occurs in which population?

Adults

Rabies is curable as long as you recognize the symptoms within the first week of the bite.

True or False

False

Women who experience gestational diabetes are at a higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes later on in life.

True or False.

True

Common types of Headaches

Migraine, cluster, and tension

The first symptom of Bell's Palsy is lockjaw.

true or false

false

Bell’s palsy is unilateral paralysis of the face caused by paralysis of the _____ cranial nerve.

7th

A sleep disorder characterized by bouts of breathlessness is ______.

Sleep Apnea

The disease that causes demyelination of the nerves of the Central Nervous System is ________________.

Multiple Sclerosis

Diabetes INSIPIDUS is the most common major disease of the endocrine pancreas.

true or false

false

What microorganisms can cause meningitis?

Bacteria, fungi, and viruses