Nervous disorders Flashcards
Alzheimer’s disease
Characterized by diminished mental capabilities, including memory loss, anxiety, and confusion.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
A disorder of the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord that causes skeletal and muscular weakness; also called Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Bell’s palsy
Inflammation of a facial nerve that causes paralysis and numbness of the face.
Cerebral palsy
A condition associated with birth defects, marked by partial paralysis and poor muscle coordination.
Cerebrovascular accident
Stroke, which can be caused by a cerebral hemorrhage or arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). A decrease in the flow of blood to the brain causes destruction of the brain tissue from lack of oxygen.
Encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain caused by a virus; symptoms are lethargy, stiff neck, or convulsions.
Epilepsy
Recurring seizure disorder resulting from abnormal electrical activity or malfunctioning of the chemical substances of the brain.
Meningitis
Inflammation of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord caused by a variety of microorganisms.
Multiple neurofibromatosis
Fibrous tumors throughout the body causing crippling deformities.
Multiple sclerosis
A chronic degenerative disease of the CNS that destroys the myelin sheath of the brain and spinal cord.
Myelitis
Inflammation of the spinal cord.
Neuralgia
Pain of the nerves.
Neuritis
Inflammation of nerves associated with
a degenerative process.
Parkinson’s disease:
Chronic disease of the nervous
system characterized by muscle tremors, muscle
weakness, and loss of equilibrium.
Reye’s syndrome
An acute disease that causes edema
of the brain and fatty infiltration of the liver and other organs; viral in origin; seen in children after aspirin administration.
