The Nervous System PDF

The Nervous System Trigeminal Neuralgia (Tic Douloureux) Pathophysiology: Caused by degenerative changes or compression/impingement of the trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V). Signs and Symptoms: Deep, sharp, stabbing pain along the nerve distribution, which can be extre...

The Nervous System Trigeminal Neuralgia (Tic Douloureux) Pathophysiology: Caused by degenerative changes or compression/impingement of the trigeminal nerve (Cranial Nerve V). Signs and Symptoms: Deep, sharp, stabbing pain along the nerve distribution, which can be extremely severe. Bell’s Palsy Pathophysiology: Inflammation of Cranial Nerve XII, often due to trauma or infection caused by a virus or bacterium. Signs and Symptoms: Temporary paralysis of one side of the face, loss of muscle function for facial expressions, tearing of the eye, drooling, headaches. Alzheimer’s Disease Pathophysiology: Progressive degenerative disease of the cerebral cortex, involving loss of neurotransmitters and degeneration of neurons. Signs and Symptoms: Memory loss, dementia, disorientation, confusion, irritability, personality changes, speech deterioration. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Pathophysiology: Progressive degenerative disease affecting motor neurons of cranial and spinal nerves, potentially linked to hereditary and environmental factors. Signs and Symptoms: Muscle spasms, cramps, fatigue, muscle weakness, slurred speech, difficulty chewing and swallowing, later stages include choking, paralysis, and breathing difficulty. Cerebral Palsy Pathophysiology: Nonprogressive disorder affecting motor function due to brain damage from infection, trauma, or toxic conditions during or before birth. Signs and Symptoms: Impaired motor functions like speech and walking, muscle spasms, spastic paralysis. Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) Pathophysiology: Interruption of blood flow to the brain, causing ischemia and necrosis of brain tissue; can be ischemic (thrombosis or embolism) or hemorrhagic. Signs and Symptoms: Numbness, paralysis of one side of the face/body, slurred speech, aphasia, muscle weakness, mental confusion, visual impairments, coma, or death. Epilepsy Pathophysiology: Abnormal increase in electrical impulses in the brain causing seizures; can be due to brain injuries, tumors, infections, metabolic issues, or unknown causes. Signs and Symptoms: Nausea, visual disturbances, abnormal tastes and smells, loss of consciousness, muscle tremors, convulsions, loss of sensation. Encephalitis Pathophysiology: Inflammation of the brain, often due to viral infections. Signs and Symptoms: Fever, headache, lethargy, delirium, seizures, possible brain damage, coma, and death. Huntington’s Disease (Huntington’s Chorea) Pathophysiology: Progressive hereditary disorder causing degeneration of neurons in the brain, autosomal dominant defect on chromosome 4. Signs and Symptoms: Muscle rigidity, mental changes, depression, dystonia, ataxia, choreic movements, difficulty swallowing, dementia. Parkinson’s Disease Pathophysiology: Degenerative disease affecting motor neurons, specifically the substantia nigra which fails to produce dopamine. Signs and Symptoms: Resting tremors, slow movements, slowed speech, lack of coordination and balance, shuffling gait, mask-like facial expression. Meningitis Pathophysiology: Inflammation of the meninges caused by viral or bacterial infection. Signs and Symptoms: Fever, headache, neck stiffness, confusion, vomiting, severe neurological issues if bacterial. Poliomyelitis Pathophysiology: Inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord due to poliovirus infection. Signs and Symptoms: Paralysis, muscle atrophy, respiratory failure, digestive and respiratory system infections, potentially fatal. Astigmatism Pathophysiology: Abnormal curvature of the lens causing irregular bending of light entering the eye. Signs and Symptoms: Blurred or distorted vision. Myopia Pathophysiology: Elongated eyeball shape causing difficulty seeing distant objects clearly. Signs and Symptoms: Nearsightedness. Hyperopia Pathophysiology: Shortened eyeball shape causing difficulty seeing close objects clearly. Signs and Symptoms: Farsightedness. Nyctalopia Pathophysiology: Night blindness due to retinol or vitamin A deficiency or retinal degeneration. Signs and Symptoms: Difficulty seeing in low light or darkness. Conjunctivitis Pathophysiology: Inflammation of the conjunctiva, usually due to bacterial or viral infection. Signs and Symptoms: Redness, itching, discharge, highly contagious. Strabismus Pathophysiology: Deviation of one or both eyes, caused by trauma or inherited factors. Signs and Symptoms: Misalignment of eyes, can be medial (convergent) or lateral (divergent). Glaucoma Pathophysiology: Increased intraocular pressure due to excessive buildup of aqueous humor, potentially leading to optic nerve damage. Signs and Symptoms: Visual field loss, potential blindness if untreated. Cataracts Pathophysiology: Cloudiness in vision caused by calcium buildup in the lens or cornea, often due to aging, trauma, or medication. Signs and Symptoms: Foggy or blurred vision. Tinnitus Pathophysiology: Ringing in the ears, caused by injury, infection, otosclerosis, or age- related auditory deterioration.  Signs and Symptoms: Persistent ringing, buzzing, or other noise in the ears. Otitis Media vs. Otitis Interna Pathophysiology (Otitis Media): Middle ear infection, often following upper respiratory infections. Signs and Symptoms (Otitis Media): Ear pain, inflammation, fever, more common in children. Pathophysiology (Otitis Interna): Inner ear infection, also known as labyrinthitis. Signs and Symptoms (Otitis Interna): Dizziness (vertigo), nausea, inflammation. Meniere’s Disease Pathophysiology: Accumulation of endolymph in the inner ear, affecting males more commonly. Signs and Symptoms: Vertigo, tinnitus, nausea, progressive hearing loss.