Neurological Conditions

Question 1

What is a stroke caused by? (brief overview)

Answer 1

a sudden interruption in blood flow in the brain leading to a neurological deficit

Question 2

modifiable risk factors for strokes

Answer 2

high blood pressure
smoking
TIAs
Heart disease
diabetes
anaemia

Question 3

non-modifiable risk factors for strokes

Answer 3

age
gender (more common in men)
race (people who are African, south Asian or African Caribbean are more likely to have a stroke)
previous stroke
genetics

Question 4

What happens during an ischaemic stroke?

Answer 4

it is caused by a blockage (atherosclerosis or an emboli). More common in elderly patients. Easier to treat but they develop slowly.

Question 5

Symptoms of ischaemic strokes (9)

Answer 5

hemiparesis (weakness down one side)
hemiplegia (paralysis)
numbness
confusion
convulsions
incontinence
slurred speech
facial weakness
headache

Question 6

What happens during a haemorrhagic stroke?

Answer 6

rupture of a blood vessel, can happen at any age, can be caused by stress, exertion and cocaine use. Happens abruptly

Question 7

symptoms of haemorrhagic strokes

Answer 7

sudden, severe headaches
nausea and vomiting
convulsion
loss of consciousness
intracranial pressure raises
Cushing’s reflex (widening pulse pressure, bradycardia and irregular respiration)

Question 8

What is a TIA?

Answer 8

episodes of cerebral dysfunction that lasts minutes to hours and symptoms will resolve within 24 hours.

They have an ischaemic cause

Can indicate and impending stroke

Question 9

potential causes of seizures (10)

Answer 9

stroke, head injury, hypoxia, toxins, infections, hypoglycaemia, hypoperfusion, eclampsia, brain tumours and febrile convulsions

Question 10

What do convulsions result from?

Answer 10

synchronised and excessive activation or neurons in the cerebral cortex

Question 11

What are the 2 types of general seizure?

Answer 11

Tonic Clonic
Absences

Question 12

Tonic Clonic seizures

Answer 12

Tonic: patient goes stiff, falls, jaw clenches
Clonic: jerking movement of limbs, patient may experience incontinence

Question 13

Absence seizures

Answer 13

often in children
can be confused for daydreaming
eyelids may flutter
pulling at clothing
no engagement

Question 14

The 2 types of partial seizures

Answer 14

simple and complex

Question 15

Simple partial seizure

Answer 15

patient is often conscious
hallucinations
very brief

Question 16

Complex partial seizure

Answer 16

change to consciousness
lip smacking
chewing, fiddling
often resolved in minutes

Question 17

Status epilepticus

Answer 17

a seizure that lasts between 5-20 mins or a series of seizures where the patient does not fully recover in between.
commonly caused by withdrawal from or sub-optimal doses of anti-epileptic information

Question 18

non-epileptic attack disorder

Answer 18

has a psychological cause
loss of normal function
patients usually have a postictal phase where they feel sleepy and confused.

Question 19

Migraine overview

Answer 19

severe, incapacitating headache
throbbing pain on one side that spreads
Associated visual disturbances and GI issues
triggered by caffeine, food, change in altitude and emotions

Question 20

Muscular dystrophy

Answer 20

inherited muscle disorder
weakened muscles
progressive

Question 21

Multiple sclerosis

Answer 21

progressive disease of the CNS
autoimmune
immune system attacks the myelin sheath of neurons - affecting the passing on of action potentials

Question 22

Parkinson’s

Answer 22

parts of the brain become progressively damaged
involuntary tremors
balance issues
memory issues

Question 23

Alzheimer’s

Answer 23

death of nerve cells and brain tissue