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.

This quiz explores various disorders affecting the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems. Learn about common conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, and peripheral neuropathy, along with their causes and symptoms. Additionally, the quiz addresses the implications of these disorders on dental care.