RR

CAA108Lecture-4

Neurological Disorders Overview

  • Introduction: CAA108, by Lisa Bowerman and Janelle White.

Central and Peripheral Nervous System (NS)

  • Divisions: CNS (Central Nervous System) and PNS (Peripheral Nervous System).

  • CNS Components:

    • Brain: Includes structures like the anterior and posterior arteries for blood supply.

    • Spinal Cord: Connective pathway for signals between the brain and body.

  • Blood Supply:

    • Essential for brain function; includes various arteries like the basilar and cerebral arteries.

Altered Mental State (AMS)

  • Definition: State of confusion or cognitive dysfunction.

  • Assessment Tools: Various tools to evaluate patient AMS.

Concussions

  • Definition: Reversible brain injury without structural damage.

  • Causes: Mild to moderate impact, temporary loss of consciousness.

  • Symptoms: Confusion, drowsiness, irritability, mild retrograde amnesia.

Types of Unconsciousness

  • Causes of AMS:

    • Blood oxygenation and circulation issues.

    • Metabolic and CNS problems.

Brain Functionality Needs

  • Key Elements:

    • Glucose and oxygen as crucial for brain operations.

Causes of Medical Emergencies

  • A.E.I.O.U.T.I.P.S:

    • Alcohol, Epilepsy, Insulin, Overdose, Uraemia, Trauma, Infection, Poisoning, Stroke.

Primary Survey (CVA cases)

  • Initial Assessment Tasks:

    • Assess airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure.

  • Primary Signs: Decreased LOC, unequal pupils, facial droop.

Ischaemic vs. Haemorrhagic Stroke

  • Ischaemic Stroke: 80% of cases caused by blockage.

  • Haemorrhagic Stroke: Caused by rupture; often linked to hypertension.

Differentiating Strokes in a Hospital

  • Necessary Diagnosis: Essential to distinguish between stroke types for treatment.

    • Ischaemic stroke treated with clot busters.

TIA vs. CVA

  • Define TIA: Transient ischaemic attack; often a warning sign of a potential full stroke.

Headaches

  • Types: Primary headache disorders include migraines, tension-type headaches, and cluster headaches.

  • Symptoms: One-sided headache, nausea, throbbing pain indicate migraines.

Serious Headache Causes

  • Causes to Investigate: Tumors, meningitis, hypertension, and strokes.

Management of Headaches

  • Approach: Symptomatic treatment, reassessment of symptoms crucial; include observation.

Seizures Management

  • Emergency Protocol: ABCs of seizure treatment; protection, breathing, circulation, and disability assessment.

Epilepsy Overview

  • Statistics: 1 in 120 people; recurrent unprovoked seizures define epilepsy.

  • Seizure Types: Various causes including metabolic, drug-induced, or structural factors.

Status Epilepticus

  • Critical Condition Definition: Seizures lasting over 5 minutes or multiple seizures without recovery.

Syncope Overview

  • Definition: Sudden temporary loss of consciousness due to blood flow reduction.

  • Key Symptoms: Include pre-syncopal symptoms like dizziness or nausea.

  • Common Causes: Vasovagal reactions, arrhythmias, dehydration.

Management of Syncope

  • Clinical Decision Making: Assess for serious underlying causes; use relevant assessments and investigations.

Recognition and Treatment Mnemonic**

  • Syncope Mnemonic: P-A-S-S-O-U-T.

    • Pressure, Arrhythmias, Seizures, Sugar levels, Output issues, Unusual reactions, TIA/CVA.

Summary

  • Covered neurological anatomy & physiology, pathophysiology of common conditions (CVA, TIA, headaches, seizures, syncope).