Signs, Symptoms and etiology of common diseases, conditions, and injuries: NERVOUS SYSTEM

Alzheimer’s disease

Symptoms: Memory loss, impaired judgement or language, inability to perform activities of daily living, inhability to reason, paranoia, and agitation

Etiology: Most common form of progressive dementia cause by progressive destruction on brain cells

Diagnosis: No definitive diagnostic testing available; diagnosis relies on medical hx, physical, cognitive testing, brain scans and lab tests TX is not available to cure it overall focus of care is on symptom management while ensuring the patient is comfortable, sage, and otherwise physically healthy.

Cerebral concussion

Symptom: Distorted vision, headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to light or noise, inability to concentrate

Etiology: caused by traumatic injury to the brain

Diagnosis: physical and neurological exam TX involves observation and rest for seven to 10 days

Sciatica

Symptoms: Pain radiating from lumbar spine to the but buttocks and down the back of the leg

Eitology: occurs from compression of the sciatic nerve, typically due to a herniated disc, bone, spur, or tumor

Diagnosis: medical testing of muscle strength and reflexes, Imaging TX involves muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory meds, PT, corticosteroids

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA; stroke)

Symptoms: symptoms vary depending on the area of the brain impact, but general symptoms are associated with the acronym FAST: Facial muscle weakness, arm droop, speech abnormalities, Time (occurs suddenly, treatment options limited by how quickly care can be initiated

Eitology: Cause by a decrease in blood supply to the brain or a rupture of a blood vessel in the brain

Diagnosis: Neurologic examination, CT or MRI scan, Doppler ultrasound or arteriography TX involves immediate tx restoring blood to brain or reducing pressure on the brain depending on the cause. Long-term treatment focuses on rehabilitation for quality of life

Shingles

Symptoms: blisters and pain on the skin in a band-like pattern that follows the path of the affected nerves

Etiology: Caused by the varicella zoster virus (also causes chicken pox). Virus can lie dormat for years following an infection of chicken pox, then reapper as shinges)

Diagnosis: History, location of pain, and pattern of rash TX involves antiviral medications increase rate of healing. Pain relievers for symptom management