Disorders of the Brain
Dementia- Chronic, progressive irreversible loss of the minds cognitive and intellectual functions. An example would be short term memory loss, inability to solve problems, and confusion.
Alzheimer Disease- A common form of dementia in which nerve cells in the areas of the brain associated with memory and cognition are replaced by abnormal protein clumps and tangles.
Delirium- An altered mental state, characterized by sudden onset of disorientation, an inability to think clearly or pay attention. It is not a disease and it is reversible, and could be part of dementia or a stroke.
Epilepsy- A chronic disorder in which clusters of neurons discharge their electrical signals in an abnormal rhythm. This disturbed electrical activity (seizure or a convulsion) can cause strange sensations and behavior, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. The cause of epilepsy are numerous ranging from abnormal brain development to brain damage.
Tourette Syndrome- Characterized by episodes of involuntary, rapid, repetitive, fixed movements of individual muscle groups in the face or limbs. Associated with meaningless vocal sounds or meaningful words and phrases. Tics may be genetic.
Narcolepsy- A chronic disorder in which patients fall asleep during the day, from a few seconds up to an hour. There is no cure.
Atherosclerosis- Plaque in the wall of a cerebral artery.
Embolism- A blood clot in a cerebral artery originating from elsewhere in the body.
Hemorrhage Strokes- Occur when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or when a cerebral aneurysm ruptures.
Transient Ischemic Attack- Small, short-term strokes with symptoms lasting for less than 24 hours. If symptoms last for more than 24 hours then the condition is a full blown stroke with brain cell damage and death.
Parkinson Disease- Motor symptoms of abnormal movements, tremor of the hands, rigidity, a shuffling gait, and weak voice appear, and gradually becomes more severe. There is no cure.
Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease- Produces a rapid deterioration of mental function, with difficulty in muscle movement coordination.
Syncope- A temporary loss of consciousness and posture.
Migraine- Produces an intense throbbing, pulsating pain in one area of the head, often with nausea and vomiting.
Encephalitis- Inflammation of the parenchyma (tissue) of the brain, often caused by a virus.
Brain tumors- Often secondary tumors that have metastasized from cancers in the lung, breast, skin, or kidney.
Concussion- Mild brain injury
Meningitis- Inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Disorders of the Spinal Cord
Demyelination- The destruction of an area of the myelin sheath.
Multiple Sclerosis- a chronic, progressive disorder, is the most common condition in which demyelination of nerve fibers in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves can occur.
Paresis- Partial paralysis
Herniation- Protrusion of an anatomical structure from its normal location.
Syringomyelia- Fluid-filled cavities form in the spinal cord and compress nerves that detect pain and pressure. There is no specific cure.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis- Occurs when motor nerves in the spinal cord progressively deteriorate.
Dementia- Chronic, progressive irreversible loss of the minds cognitive and intellectual functions. An example would be short term memory loss, inability to solve problems, and confusion.
Alzheimer Disease- A common form of dementia in which nerve cells in the areas of the brain associated with memory and cognition are replaced by abnormal protein clumps and tangles.
Delirium- An altered mental state, characterized by sudden onset of disorientation, an inability to think clearly or pay attention. It is not a disease and it is reversible, and could be part of dementia or a stroke.
Epilepsy- A chronic disorder in which clusters of neurons discharge their electrical signals in an abnormal rhythm. This disturbed electrical activity (seizure or a convulsion) can cause strange sensations and behavior, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. The cause of epilepsy are numerous ranging from abnormal brain development to brain damage.
Tourette Syndrome- Characterized by episodes of involuntary, rapid, repetitive, fixed movements of individual muscle groups in the face or limbs. Associated with meaningless vocal sounds or meaningful words and phrases. Tics may be genetic.
Narcolepsy- A chronic disorder in which patients fall asleep during the day, from a few seconds up to an hour. There is no cure.
Atherosclerosis- Plaque in the wall of a cerebral artery.
Embolism- A blood clot in a cerebral artery originating from elsewhere in the body.
Hemorrhage Strokes- Occur when a blood vessel in the brain bursts or when a cerebral aneurysm ruptures.
Transient Ischemic Attack- Small, short-term strokes with symptoms lasting for less than 24 hours. If symptoms last for more than 24 hours then the condition is a full blown stroke with brain cell damage and death.
Parkinson Disease- Motor symptoms of abnormal movements, tremor of the hands, rigidity, a shuffling gait, and weak voice appear, and gradually becomes more severe. There is no cure.
Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease- Produces a rapid deterioration of mental function, with difficulty in muscle movement coordination.
Syncope- A temporary loss of consciousness and posture.
Migraine- Produces an intense throbbing, pulsating pain in one area of the head, often with nausea and vomiting.
Encephalitis- Inflammation of the parenchyma (tissue) of the brain, often caused by a virus.
Brain tumors- Often secondary tumors that have metastasized from cancers in the lung, breast, skin, or kidney.
Concussion- Mild brain injury
Meningitis- Inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Disorders of the Spinal Cord
Demyelination- The destruction of an area of the myelin sheath.
Multiple Sclerosis- a chronic, progressive disorder, is the most common condition in which demyelination of nerve fibers in the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves can occur.
Paresis- Partial paralysis
Herniation- Protrusion of an anatomical structure from its normal location.
Syringomyelia- Fluid-filled cavities form in the spinal cord and compress nerves that detect pain and pressure. There is no specific cure.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis- Occurs when motor nerves in the spinal cord progressively deteriorate.