Antonio, Ariane Shane P.
02/12/2020
X – St. Francis
Disorders of the Nervous System
Vascular disorder
These affect the veins and arteries that carry blood around the body. Many different conditions can affect
the veins and arteries that deliver blood to the brain and spinal cord.
Stroke
A stroke is a sudden interruption in the blood supply of the brain. Most strokes are caused by an abrupt
blockage of arteries leading to the brain (ischemic stroke). Other strokes are caused by bleeding into brain
tissue when a blood vessel bursts (hemorrhagic stroke). Because stroke occurs rapidly and requires immediate
treatment, stroke is also called a brain attack. When the symptoms of a stroke last only a short time, this is
called a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke.
The effects of a stroke depend on which part of the brain is injured, and how severely it is injured. Strokes may
cause sudden weakness, loss of sensation, or difficulty with speaking, seeing, or walking. Since different parts
of the brain control different areas and functions, it is usually the area immediately surrounding the stroke that
is affected. Sometimes people with stroke have a headache, but stroke can also be completely painless. It is very
important to recognize the warning signs of stroke and to get immediate medical attention if they occur.
Structural disorder
Peripheral Neuropathy
This refers to the conditions that result when nerves that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord from
and to the rest of the body are damaged or diseased. This often causes weakness, numbness and pain, usually in
your hands and feet. It can also affect other areas of your body.
Your peripheral nervous system sends information from your brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) to
the rest of your body. The peripheral nerves also send sensory information to the central nervous system.
Peripheral neuropathy can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic problems, inherited causes and
exposure to toxins. One of the most common causes is diabetes.
People with peripheral neuropathy generally describe the pain as stabbing, burning or tingling. In many cases,
symptoms improve, especially if caused by a treatable condition. Medications can reduce the pain of peripheral
neuropathy.
Degeneration
Alzheimer's disease
This is a progressive disorder that causes brain cells to waste away and die. This is the most common cause of
dementia — a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that disrupts a person's ability to
function independently.
The early signs of the disease may be forgetting recent events or conversations. As the disease progresses, a
person with Alzheimer's disease will develop severe memory impairment and lose the ability to carry out
everyday tasks.
Current Alzheimer's disease medications may temporarily improve symptoms or slow the rate of decline. These
treatments can sometimes help people with Alzheimer's disease maximize function and maintain independence
for a time. Different programs and services can help support people with Alzheimer's disease and their
caregivers.
There is no treatment that cures Alzheimer's disease or alters the disease process in the brain. In advanced
stages of the disease, complications from severe loss of brain function — such as dehydration, malnutrition or
infection — result in death.
2
Cerebral Palsy
This is a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tone or posture. It's caused by damage that occurs
to the immature brain as it develops, most often before birth. Signs and symptoms appear during infancy or
preschool years. In general, cerebral palsy causes impaired movement associated with abnormal reflexes,
floppiness or rigidity of the limbs and trunk, abnormal posture, involuntary movements, unsteady walking, or
some combination of these.
People with cerebral palsy can have problems swallowing and commonly have eye muscle imbalance, in which
the eyes don't focus on the same object. They also might have reduced range of motion at various joints of their
bodies due to muscle stiffness.
Cerebral palsy's effect on function varies greatly. Some affected people can walk; others need assistance. Some
people show normal or near-normal intellect, but others have intellectual disabilities. Epilepsy, blindness or
deafness also might be present.
Cerebral palsy can affect the whole
body, or it might be limited
primarily to one limb or one side of
the body. The brain disorder
causing cerebral palsy doesn't
change with time, so the symptoms
usually don't worsen with age.
It’s important to get a prompt diagnosis for a movement disorder or delays in your child's development. See
your child's doctor if you have concerns about episodes of loss of awareness of surroundings or of abnormal
bodily movements, abnormal muscle tone, impaired coordination, swallowing difficulties, eye muscle
imbalance or other developmental issues.
