Nervous System Overview and Disorders

Nervous System Overview

• The nervous system experiences physical changes with nerve cell loss, slower nerve conduction and reflexes, reduced blood flow to the brain, and altered brain cell function.
• Sleep patterns change.
• Sensitivity to touch, pain, and pressure decreases.
• Ability to sense temperature (heat and cold) diminishes.
• Sense of taste and smell lessen.

Nervous System Disorders

• Nervous system disorders can affect cognitive and physical functions.
• Physical functions impacted include mobility, touch, sight, hearing, and bowel/bladder control.
• Cognitive functions include thinking, reasoning, understanding, remembering, learning, reading, and problem-solving.

Epilepsy

• Epilepsy involves recurrent episodes of seizures, sensory disturbances, behavioral changes, and loss of consciousness.
• A seizure involves violent, sudden muscle contractions or tremors, along with uncontrolled movements and loss of consciousness.
• A single seizure does not definitively indicate epilepsy, but can occur at any time.

Stroke

• Stroke (cerebrovascular accident [CVA]) is a disease affecting arteries supplying blood to the brain.
• A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts, obstructing blood supply to a brain region.
• A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a "mini-stroke".
• A TIA involves brief symptoms, often occurring quickly and resolving on their own; observable deterioration in health & ADLs.
• Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada and a significant cause of disability in adults.
• Warning signs may last a few minutes.
• Remember the acronym FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) to recognize symptoms quickly and seek immediate medical attention.
• Warning signs include sudden weakness, numbness, or tingling (especially on one side of the body), sudden speech problems, difficulty understanding speech, sudden vision problems (especially in one eye), sudden severe headache with no known cause, and sudden dizziness or loss of balance

Stroke (Risk Factors)

• Some risk factors can't be controlled (e.g., age, gender).
• Risk factors that can be managed include hypertension, smoking, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, lack of exercise, and high alcohol intake.

Stroke (Recovery and Outcomes)

• After stroke, some brain damage is likely, and function loss depends on the area of damage.
• Rehabilitation begins immediately to help regain the highest possible level of function.
• The health care team plays a significant role in supporting rehabilitation.

Critical Thinking (Case Studies)

• Case studies involving different neurological conditions will be evaluated for specific actions and responses needed by healthcare professionals.
• Examples include various case studies of patient care, immediate responses, patient needs and care, and more.

Parkinson's Disease

• Parkinson's disease is a progressive, slow-onset neurological disorder that affects the brain areas controlling muscle movement.
• Common symptoms include tremors, rigid muscles, slow movements, stooped posture, impaired balance, and mask-like facial expression.
• Symptoms typically develop over time.

Parkinson's Disease Treatment

• Parkinson's treatment involves medication, exercise, and other therapies (like physiotherapy) to improve strength, posture, balance, and mobility.

Dementia (Lewy Bodies vs. Parkinson's)

• Understanding the distinctions between Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia is crucial.

Huntington's Disease

• Huntington's disease is an inherited neurological disorder that destroys brain cells, causing uncontrolled movements, emotional problems, and cognitive issues.
• Onset typically occurs between ages 20 and 60.

Multiple Sclerosis

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a slowly progressive disease that damages the myelin in the brain and spinal cord and affects nerve impulses.
• Symptoms and signs vary, impacting vision, muscle function, balance, coordination, sensation, bladder and bowel function, and more.
• No cure is available.

Spinal Cord Injuries

• Spinal cord injury (SCI) permanently damages the spinal cord, which links the brain to the rest of the body.
• The effect is dependent upon the affected area; often, damage results in paralysis.
• SCI usually results from motor vehicle accidents (MVAs).
• Rehabilitation is necessary.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

• ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, fatal neurological disorder.
• ALS affects motor neurons, leading to muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, breathing, and swallowing, and eventually paralysis.