Nervous system diseases Flashcards
Cause for a stroke.
The patients brain is deprived of blood (cerebrovascular accident /CVA). This deprives the brain tissues of nutrients, glucose, and oxygen.
How does a stroke occur?
Blood supply in the brain is compromised 2 ways;
- vessel in brain fails to supply enough blood due to blockage or there is no supply. (Ischaemic stroke)
- intercranial bleeding takes place depriving blood supply. (Haemorrhaging stroke)
Causes for ischaemic stroke.
- Thrombus.
- Usually associated with atherosclerosis and fat embolism (diet and smoking).
- Where there is hypoxia (low O2) in the body.
- When vessels are compressed.
Cause for haemorrhaging stroke.
Associated with rapture of vessel such as raptured aneurysm and trauma.
Symptoms of a stroke.
- sudden onset, painless
- motor/sensory deficits shown
- focal neurological deficits depends on area of brain injured
- conscious levels may or may not be impaired
Testing for a stroke.
FAST test
- facial weakness
- arm weakness
- speech problems
- test all three
Treatment for a stroke.
Medication and surgery.
Problems after having a stroke.
- hemisphere neglect
- difficulty specking
- say the opposite to what they mean eg. ‘No’ instead of ‘yes’ or saying ‘milk’ instead or ‘water’.
What is decussation?
Motor fibres in CC (cerebral cortex) cross to contralateral side of spinal cord.
Muscle in left side are under control of motor centre in right cerebral cortex. Vice versa.
What is transient ischaemic attack?
TIA is a sudden onset loss of neurological function. Usually resolved after 24hrs. Associated with CVD.
Cause; inadequate blood supply to the brain as a result of a thrombus or embolism.
What are stroke mimics?
- post seizure which last for hrs
- hypoglycaemia
- tumour
- sepsis
- psycho somatic
Cause for multiple sclerosis.
Progressive disease due to the loss of myelin sheath surrounding axons within CNS. cause is unknown but possibly autoimmune.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
- depends on location of lesion
- vague symptoms at first such as tingling and numbness in limbs or face
- weakness where motor fibres are affected
- tiredness, loss of concentration, and mood swings
Treatment for multiple sclerosis.
- steroid medication to speed up recovery
- injectable (interferon beta medications), oral, and infusion medication
What are the different types of dementia?
- Alzheimer’s
- vascular dementia
- frontal lobe degeneration
- Parkinson’s disease
- infections (eg. AIDS and syphilis)
- metabolic disorders (kidney failure due to alcoholism)
- Trauma