Nervous System Disorders Overview

Nervous System Disorders

• A physical condition that affects the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)
• Common CNS disorders include brain tumours, encephalitis, epilepsy, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease
• Common PNS disorders include peripheral neuropathy, diabetic polyneuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and sciatica
• Causes include congenital defects, vascular issues, infections (fungal, viral, bacterial, parasitic), degenerative diseases, trauma, environmental factors, habits, other health conditions, gender, age, and genetics
• Presenting symptoms include pain, muscle malfunction, changes in sensation, changes in the special senses, sleep problems, changes in consciousness, changes in cognition, dysphagia, dysarthria
• Dental considerations are medication side effects, medication interactions, consent, access, compliance with treatment, behaviour management, impaired memory, and additional equipment

Dental Implications

• Dental professionals should educate patients on the potential impact of nervous system disorders on dental treatment
• Patients with nervous system disorders may be more susceptible to dental complications, and thus require more frequent dental checkups
• Patients might have difficulty managing their oral hygiene, making it essential to provide additional support and instruction
• Modifications to treatment plans may be necessary to address patient specific needs and provide appropriate care
• Dental professionals should be aware of the potential for medication interactions and side effects, and take them into consideration when providing dental care

Presentation

• Students are tasked with creating a presentation on a specific nervous system disorder
• The presentation must include a definition, cause, treatment, dental implications, and modified dental treatment considerations
• Students will create a poster design which can include a mind map, PowerPoint slides, or a combination of both
• All sources must be properly referenced

Nervous System Disorders: An Overview

• Nervous system disorders affect either the central nervous system (CNS) or the peripheral nervous system (PNS), causing disruptions in physical, cognitive, and sensory functions.

Central Nervous System Disorders

• CNS includes the brain and spinal cord.
• Brain Tumors: Abnormal growths in the brain, causing various symptoms like headaches and seizures.
• Encephalitis: Brain inflammation, often caused by infections, leading to fever and potential coma.
• Epilepsy: Recurrent seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
• Meningitis: Inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord (meninges), often due to infection, causing a stiff neck and fever.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Progressive disease affecting the myelin sheath, causing weakness and coordination problems.
• Alzheimer’s Disease: Neurodegenerative condition causing memory loss and significant cognitive decline.
• Parkinson’s Disease: Progressive disorder affecting movement, characterized by tremors and slow movement.
• Huntington’s Disease: Genetic disorder causing the breakdown of nerve cells, leading to movement disorders and cognitive decline.

Peripheral Nervous System Disorders

• PNS comprises nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
• Peripheral Neuropathy: Damage to peripheral nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness in limbs.
• Diabetic Polyneuropathy: Nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels in diabetics, leading to sensory loss and potential foot ulcers.
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Immune system attacking peripheral nerves, causing muscle weakness and paralysis.
• Sciatica: Compression of the sciatic nerve, resulting in lower back pain radiating down the legs.
• Facial Nerve Paralysis (Bell’s Palsy): Sudden weakness or paralysis of facial muscles, often on one side, due to facial nerve damage.

Causes of Nervous System Disorders

• Congenital: Conditions present at birth, such as cerebral palsy.
• Vascular: Impaired blood flow, leading to stroke or aneurysm.
• Infections: Bacterial (meningitis), viral (encephalitis), fungal, or parasitic infections can cause nervous system damage.
• Degenerative: Progressive cell damage, as seen in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
• Trauma: Physical injury, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury.
• Environmental Factors: Exposure to toxins like heavy metals or alcohol.

Risk Factors

• Lifestyle factors like smoking and poor diet, co-morbidities like diabetes and hypertension, age, genetics, and gender.

Symptoms of Nervous System Disorders

• Pain: Common symptom in conditions like neuropathy and sciatica.
• Muscle Malfunction: Weakness, loss of coordination, or involuntary movements (tremors or spasticity).
• Changes in Sensation: Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation, often seen in peripheral neuropathies.
• Special Sensory Changes: Vision (blurred or double vision in MS), hearing loss, or taste changes.
• Sleep Problems: Disrupted sleep cycles, leading to insomnia or excessive sleepiness.
• Consciousness Changes: Seizures, loss of consciousness, or cognitive slowing.
• Cognitive Changes: Memory loss, confusion, language difficulties, and impaired judgment.

Dental Considerations for Neurological Patients

• Medication Side Effects: Common medications for neurological conditions may cause dry mouth, bleeding, or increased infection risk.
• Medication Interactions: Be cautious of interactions between neurological medications and dental medications.
• Consent: Patients with cognitive disorders may struggle with providing informed consent.
• Access: Patients with mobility issues need assistance moving in and out of the dental chair.
• Compliance: Neurological disorders may impair a patient’s ability to comply with oral hygiene practices.
• Behaviour Management: Patients with anxiety or involuntary movements may require patience and reassurance.
• Impaired Memory: Patients may forget appointments or oral hygiene instructions.
• Special Considerations and Equipment: Tailor dental treatments with consideration for physical impairments, using mouth props or adaptive tools.