Conditions (Defs, DDs, Symptoms, etc.) Flashcards
Parkinson’s disease affects affects people of what age?
Mainly affecting people aged over 65
What is Parkinson’s disease?
A disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, often including tremors.
It is associated with damage to the Substansia Nigra where it results in the deficiency of a neurotransmitter dopamine.
Parkinson’s “Initial stages” motor manifestations?
- Akinesia
- Bradykinesia
- Rigidity
- Resting tremor
- Freezing phenomenon
- Decreased muscle power
- Muscles easily fatigued
Parkinson’s “Advanced stages” motor manifestation?
- Festinating gait
- Monotonous / weak voice
- Mask like face
- Micrographia
- Parkinsons posture
- Dysphagia
Parkinson’s non motor symptoms?
- Constipation
- Sleep related disroders (e.g. Restless legs syndrome)
- Anosmia
- Erectile dysfunction
- Apathy, general fatigue, excessive daytime somnolence
- Depression & anxiety
- Dementia
PD - Disease progression
Stage 1: Mild, unilateral symptoms which don’t interfere with quality of life
Stage 2: Symptoms worsen & become bilateral. Daily activities become more difficult and take more time to complete.
Stage 3: Individual loses balance, moves more slowly and falls are more common.
Stage 4: Symptoms are severe, assistance needed for walking and performing daily activities.
Stage 5: Unable to walk and needs full time assistance.
Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis
Diagnosed clinically.
DD include:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cardio-embolic stroke
- Neurological manifestations of vascular dementia etc.
PD - Treatment and Management
Gold standard symptomatic treatment:
- Levodopa
- Carbidopa
Provide good control of motor signs for 4-6 years.
Alzheimer Disease is?
Clinical pathological issue defined by a specific pattern of cognitive changes and structural/biological changes secondary to the loss of cortical neurons.
Alzheimer symptoms
Early stage:
- might not be detectable
Advanced Stages:
- Short term memory loss
- Loss of some motor skills & language
- Long term memory loss
- Disoriented
- Bedridden
- Death
Alzheimer DD’s
- Vitamin B12 defficiency
- Depression
- Age associated memory impairment
Alzheimer treatment
No treatment
Meningitis is when?
When the membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (meninges) becomes infected
Multiple sclerosis is?
Demyelinating disease of CNS due to immune system inappropriately attacking the protective sheath of the axons making communication between neurons breakdown.
