Neurological Disease for AHS INeurological Disease for AHS I

MeningitisMeningitis

Inflammation of the Inflammation of the meninges (lining of brain meninges (lining of brain and spinal cord)and spinal cord)

Caused by both bacteria and Caused by both bacteria and viral infectionsviral infections

Symptoms – severe Symptoms – severe headache and stiff neck with headache and stiff neck with painpain

Need to seek immediate Need to seek immediate medical attentionmedical attention

MeningitisMeningitis

In severe form, may In severe form, may lead to paralysis, lead to paralysis, coma and deathcoma and death

If bacterial, may be If bacterial, may be treated with treated with antibioticsantibiotics

EpilepsyEpilepsy

Seizure disorder of the Seizure disorder of the brain, characterized by brain, characterized by recurring and excessive recurring and excessive discharge from neuronsdischarge from neurons

Seizures believed to be a Seizures believed to be a result of spontaneous result of spontaneous uncontrolled electrical uncontrolled electrical activity of neuronsactivity of neurons

Cause – UncertainCause – Uncertain Diagnosed with EEG Diagnosed with EEG

(electroencephalogram)(electroencephalogram)

EpilepsyEpilepsy Victims may have Victims may have

hallucinations and seizureshallucinations and seizures Two types of seizuresTwo types of seizures 1. Grand Mal – severe, 1. Grand Mal – severe,

convulsive seizure.convulsive seizure. 2. Petit Mal – milder 2. Petit Mal – milder

(sometimes like someone (sometimes like someone is just staring)is just staring)

Treatment is Treatment is anticonvulsant medicationsanticonvulsant medications

Alzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s Disease

Progressive disease that Progressive disease that begins with problems begins with problems rememberingremembering

Nerve endings in cortex of Nerve endings in cortex of brain degenerate and block brain degenerate and block signals that pass between signals that pass between nerve cellsnerve cells

Abnormal fibers build up Abnormal fibers build up creating tanglescreating tangles

Cause is unknownCause is unknown

Alzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s Disease

First Stage (2-4 years) First Stage (2-4 years) ConfusionConfusion Short Term Memory LossShort Term Memory Loss AnxietyAnxiety Poor JudgementPoor Judgement

    

Alzheimer’s DiseaseAlzheimer’s Disease

22ndnd Stage (2-10 years) Stage (2-10 years) Increase in memory Increase in memory

lossloss Difficulty recognizing Difficulty recognizing

peoplepeople Motor problemsMotor problems Logic problemsLogic problems Loss of social skillsLoss of social skills

33rdrd Stage (1-3 years) Stage (1-3 years) Inability to recognize Inability to recognize

oneselfoneself Weight lossWeight loss SeizuresSeizures Mood swingsMood swings AphasiaAphasia

Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)

Stroke or CVAStroke or CVA Interruption of blood Interruption of blood

and oxygen to the and oxygen to the brainbrain

Tissue death occursTissue death occurs Third leading cause of Third leading cause of

death in the USAdeath in the USA

Cerebral Vascular Accident Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)(CVA)

Risk Factors:Risk Factors: SmokingSmoking HypertensionHypertension Heart DiseaseHeart Disease Family HistoryFamily History

Causes of CVA’sCauses of CVA’s

90% caused by blood 90% caused by blood clots in the brain or clots in the brain or the carotid arteriesthe carotid arteries

Clots lodge in carotid Clots lodge in carotid arteries, blocking the arteries, blocking the flow of blood to the flow of blood to the brainbrain

10% caused by 10% caused by ruptured blood vessels ruptured blood vessels in the brainin the brain

Symptoms of CVASymptoms of CVAHemiplegia on opposite Hemiplegia on opposite

side of the bodyside of the body Sudden severe headacheSudden severe headache DizzinessDizziness Sudden loss of vision in Sudden loss of vision in

one eyeone eye AphasiaAphasia DysphasiaDysphasia ComaComa Possible DeathPossible Death

Treatment of CVATreatment of CVA

1. Get to the hospital 1. Get to the hospital immediately!immediately!

2. CAT scan done to 2. CAT scan done to determine etilology determine etilology (cause)(cause)

3. If a clot, treatment 3. If a clot, treatment aimed at dissolving the aimed at dissolving the clot – usually use TPA.clot – usually use TPA.

Prevention of CVAsPrevention of CVAs

If TIAs – one asprin a If TIAs – one asprin a dayday

Stop smokingStop smoking Exercise and lose Exercise and lose

weightweight Control hypertensionControl hypertension

Types of ParalysisTypes of Paralysis

Paralysis – Loss of power of motion or sensationParalysis – Loss of power of motion or sensation

Hemiplegia – paralysis on one side of body – Hemiplegia – paralysis on one side of body – usually seen with strokesusually seen with strokes

Quadriplegia – paralysis of all four extremtitiesQuadriplegia – paralysis of all four extremtities

Paraplegia – paralysis of lower extremities only.Paraplegia – paralysis of lower extremities only.