Other Neuro Pathologies Flashcards
(47 cards)
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Deterioration and irreversible damage with in the cerebral cortex and subcortical areas of the brain
What are the signs & symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?
- Difficulty with new learning
- Subtle changes in memory and concentration
- Poor judgement
- Rigidity
- Shuffling gait
- Impaired self-care
What is the treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease?
- No cure
- Medication: inhibit acetylcholnesterase, alleviate cognitive symptoms, and control behavioral changes.
What is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
- Chronic Degenerative disease
- Produces both UMN and LMN impairments
What are the signs & symptoms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- LMN signs: asymmetric muscle weakness, fasciulations, cramping, and atrophy in hands
- UMN sings: incoordination of movement, spasticity, clonus, POSITIVE Babinski reflex.
- Fatigue, oral motor impairment, motor paralysis, and eventually respiratory paralysis
- *Weakness spreads distal to proximal**
What is the treatment for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)?
- Managed by supportive care and symptomatic therapy
- Medication: Riluzole (Rilutek)
What is Bell’s Palsy?
Unilateral facial paralysis secondary to trauma and demyelination and/or axonal degeneration of the facial nerve
What causes Bell’s Palsy?
Unsure. May be secondary to Herpes Zoster Virus. Inflammation and pressure can cause ischemia and axonal degeneration.
What are the signs & symptoms of Bell’s Palsy?
- Asymmetrical dropping of the eyelid and mouth
- Potential drooling
- Dryness of the eye
- Inability to close the eyelid due to weakness
What is the treatment for Bell’s Palsy?
- Typically resolves in 2 weeks w/o medical attention
- Possibly anti-viral medication & high dose steroids
What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Peripheral nerve entrapment due to compression through carpal tunnel
What are the signs & symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Sensory and motor disturbances in the median nerve distribution of the hand
What is the treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
- Conservative Management: splinting, ergonomic measures, local cortisone injections & PT.
- Possibly surgical release
What is Diabetic Neuropathy?
Complication and direct effect of diabetic mellitus.
What are the signs & symptoms of Diabetic Neuropathy?
- Weakness
- Sensory Disturbances in a symmetrical pattern
- Involves sensory, motor or autonomic systems
- “Stocking-glove” sensory distribution impairments
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Urinary impairments
What is the treatment for Diabetic Neuropathy?
Patient’s blood sugar strictly monitored to prevent further nerve pathology
What is Epilepsy?
- Chronic condition
- Temporary dysfunction of brain –> seizure
What are the signs & symptoms of Epilepsy?
- *Vary based on type and extent of seizure**
- Loss of awareness/consciousness
- Disturbances of movement, sensation, mood, or mental function
What is the treatment for Epilepsy?
No “cure”
- Antiepileptic Medication
- Possible surgical intervention if meds don’t work
What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome (or acute polyneuropathy)?
- Temporary Inflammation and demyelination of the peripheral nerves’ myelin sheath (potential for axonal degeneration)
What is the etiology of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
Hypothesized to be autoimmune response
What are the signs & symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
- Initial: B symmetrical motor weakness, mild sensory impairments & paresthesias
- Progresses distal to proximal
- 2-4 week onset
- *Can be life threatening if respiratory involved
What is the treatment for Guillain-Barre Syndrome?
- Hospitalization
- Pharmacology: immunosuppresive & analgesic/narcaotic
What is Huntington’s Disease?
CNS disorder characterized by degeneration and atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex within the brain
