disorders Flashcards
Cholinergic crisis
Cholinergic crisis is a clinical condition that develops as a result of overstimulation of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors at the neuromuscular junctions and synapses. This is usually secondary to the inactivation or inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the enzyme responsible for the degradation of acetylcholine (ACh). Excessive accumulation of acetylcholine (ACh) at the neuromuscular junctions and synapses causes symptoms of both muscarinic and nicotinic toxicity. These include cramps, increased salivation, lacrimation, muscular weakness, paralysis, muscular fasciculation, diarrhea, and blurry vision[1][2][3].
may have aura or not. Familial, 4 phases: prodromal ( sleepiness, irritability, food cravings, etc.), aura- visual disturbance, difficulty speaking, numbness, headache- nausea and vomiting, and resolution-sluggishness or confusion.
Migraine
is described as throbbing, boring, viselike, pounding* one-sided
Migraine pain
Medications: NSAIDs (not aspirin), Vasoconstrictors, ergot, Triptans like sumatriptan, Opioids are last resort
Migraine-prophylactic or acute
Pain described as pressure, aching, steady, tight.
Tension/Muscle Contraction Headache
Throbbing, and excruciating. Unilateral affecting nose eye and forehead. Blood shot teary eye.
Cluster Headache
WHAT’S UP
assessment
W—Where is the pain? Does it radiate
H—How does the headache feel?
A—Aggravating or alleviating factors?
T—Timing: When does it typically occur? How long does it last?
S—Ask the patient to rate the severity.
U—Ask about other useful data.
P—Determine the patient’s perception of the headache.
Abnormal electrical discharges in the brain related to instability of neuronal cell membranes
Seizures
Genetic Predisposition
Acute febrile state
Head trauma
Cerebral edema
Abruptly discontinuing drugs
Infections
Metabolic disorders
Exposure to toxins
Stroke
Heart Disease
Brain tumor
Hypoxia
Acute substance withdrawal
Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
Risk Factors for Seizure Disorder
Not taking meds
Increased physical activities
Excessive stress
Hyperventilation
Overwhelming fatigue
Acute alcohol ingestion
Excessive caffeine intake
Exposure to flashing lights
Substances like cocaine, aerosols, inhaled glue products.
Triggering Factors
-repetitive, purposeless behaviors
Automatisms
Paresthesia
Remains conscious
Automatisms-repetitive, purposeless behaviors
Usually <1 minute
Paresthesia and visual disturbances, unusual sensation, hallucinations, flashing lights
Partial seizures
Possible aura
Repetitive acts, amnesia.
Can have paresthesia if from parietal lobe, visual disturbances if occipital lobe etc.
Can lose consciousness, 2 to 15 minutes.
Can maintain consciousness- but dreamlike state, picking at clothing, chewing, smacking lips.
Complex partial
Generalized seizures- entire brain
Absence (petit mal)- common in children
Staring, lip smacking-several seconds ( change in consciousness), absent motor, lasts seconds, returns to baseline neuro function post seizure
Tonic-<30 sec, lose consciousness
Clonic - last minutes , muscle contracts
**Tonic- Clonic ** or grand mal
May have aura, usually lose consciousness
Rigidity followed by muscle contraction and relaxation
Incontinence, & Postictal period
Generalized Seizures
30 minutes of continuous seizure activity without a return to consciousness.
Or a prolonged seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes.
Status Epilepticus
Abruptly stopping anti-seizure drugs
Substance withdrawal from AED
Head injury
Cerebral edema
Infection
Metabolic disturbances - DM
Causes of Status epilepticus
Traditional Drugs:
Phenytoin -gums, rash arrhythmias- 10-20 mcg/mL
Carbamazepine- anemia, rash, edema-6-12 mcg/mL
Valproic acid-lethargy, N&V, liver toxicity- 50-100 mcg/mL
Newer drugs:
Gabapentin, lamotrigine, topiramate, pregabalin, oxcarbazepine
Other drugs used: Benzodiazepines: diazepam and lorazepam
Common Seizure Medications
TBI
Traumatic Brain Injury
Concussion
Contusion
Diffuse axonal injury and
Intracranial hemorrhage
Types of TBI include:
Complications
Hemorrhage
Nerve root damage
Re-herniation- lumbar disks can re-herniate.
- Cervical disks are totally removed
Herniation of another disk- R/T fusion of the cervical spine. Must exercise to move spine
Herniated Disk Surgery
Types
Laminectomy- removal of the laminae ( flat piece of bone on each side of vertebra
Diskectomy-replacement of disk with bone.
Percutaneous diskectomy- needle aspiration of herniated tissue
Spinal fusion-bone graft to fuse 2 vertebrae together
Artificial disk- plastic
Herniated Disk Surgery