Common neurological disorders Flashcards
what are some common neurological disorders?
- Epilepsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Sciatica
- Cerebral palsy
- Down’s syndrome
- Stroke and TIA
- Dementia
- Retinal degeneration
- Neoplasm
What are the impacts of neurological diseases?
- Abnormal sensory function
- Abormal motor function
- Abnormal co ordination
- Abnormal organic function
- Abnormal cognitions
Is carpal tunnel syndrome more common in men or women?
women
What is the carpal tunnel?
it is where the median nerve passes in the wrist
What forms the carpal tunnel?
It is formed by a ring of bones and tough tendon
What is the significance of the Median nerve?
provides motor (movement) functions to the forearm, wrist, and hand.
It also sends touch, pain, and temperature sensations from the lower arm and hand to the brain.
what does a pinched median nerve cause?
carpal tunnel syndrome
What happens in carpal tunnel syndrome
Swelling at the carpal tunnel leading to the compression of the median nerve
When might the carpal tunnel be swollen?
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Structural damage to the wrist
What is sciatica?
It is where the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your feet, is irritated or compressed causing symptoms.
What is the sciatic nerve?
The largest nerve arising from the spinal cord
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
-Mild backache =minor nerve compression)
-Severe pain shooting down the leg which may be accompanied by numbness and loss of motor power (major nerve compression)
What are the impacts of neurological diseases?
- Abnormal sensory function
- Abnormal motor function
- Abnormal co ordination
- Abnormal organic function
- Abnormal cognitions
What is sciatica commonly caused by?
caused by the compression of one or more of the 6-6 nerve roots arising from the distal end of the spinal cord
Most commonly due to prolapsed intervertebral disk (slip disk)
how is sciatica managed ?
by Rest or
Surgical decompression
what is a seizure?
temporary abnormal electrical activity in a group of brain cells that may spread to involve other parts of the brain causing stiffness or jerking of arms/legs
another term for a seizure is>
convulsion
What is a seizure characterised by
Range of clinical features
Duration of a few seconds or minutes
What can seizures be broadly divided into?
Epilepsy
2. Other seizures
define epilepsy?
A group of disorders with many different causes all of which are characterised by a tendency to have recurring unprovoked seizures
Name the different types of epilepsy
A
Active epilepsy
Refractory epilepsy
Status epilepticus
Other
Define active epilepsy
An Occurrence of an epileptic seizure in the last 2 years
Or
Where a patient is taking medication to prevent further epileptic seizures
Define refractory epilepsy
Inadequate control of seizures despite optimal treatment
What is status epilepticus
a rare but serious condition where epileptic seizures continue either constant or repeatedly over a period of 30 mins or more
When are we all susceptible to seizures?
If the brain is subjected to certain stressful situations eg
Fever
Hypoglycaemia
Withdrawal of alcohol in alcohol dependency
How common is active epilepsy?
1 in 200 people have it in the uk
350,000 people
How common is refractory epilepsy?
1 in 700 people in the uk
100,000 people
How is epilepsy classified?
1) Partial epileptic seizures
2. Generalised epileptic seizures
What are partial epileptic seizures
When Abnormal electrical activity is restricted to a focal area of the brain
What can partial epileptic seizures be further classified into?
1)
Temporal lobes epilepsy
2. Occipital lobe epilepsy
What can temporal lobe epilepsy result in
Abnormalities of taste or smell, psychic disturbances including deja vu
What can occipital love epilepsy result in
Abnormal visual perceptions such as balls of light or coloured patterns
What can happen to partial epileptic seizures if they are untreated?
Around half of partial seizures subsequently become generalised
How do some partial seizures become generalised?
The abnormal electrical activity spread from a focal area to involve both cerebral hemispheres
What will happen if a partial seizure doesn’t become generalised?
Patient will either have:
No impairment of consciousness
Impaired consciousness but not loss
What do generalised epileptic seizures reflect?
abnormal electrical activity throughout the cerebral hemispheres
What can generalised epileptic seizures develop from?
A
Partial seizures
Or
A Discrete event without a focal onset
Name the most common form of generalised seizures
Grand mal epilepsy /Tonic clonic epilepsy or seizures
List the defined stages of tonic clonics
Prodrome
Aura
Tonic phase
Clonic phase
Post-ictal phase
Describe the prodrome stage of tonic clonic
It precedes the main symptoms where it is characterised by typically vague features such as unease, irritability or non specific malaise that may last hours or day
What is the aura stage of tonic clonic seizures ?
it can occur in patients who experience a partial seizure that subsequently becomes generalised
The symptoms depend on the anatomical site of the partial seizure and may include disturbances of one or more sensory modalities
What is the tonic phase of tonic clonics?
Lasts only a few seconds usually and is characterised by unconsciousness, inability to maintain a normal posture which usually results in the patient falling
Absence of breathing as the best walk muscles have gone into spasms and patient may cry of grunt as it happens
Increased thoracic pressure can result in deoxygenated blood pooling in facial tissues
Tongue busting
Drooling
Urinalysis and faecal incontinence may occur as well
Name the first clear indication of tonic clonic seizures
tonic phase
