Pathology
There are numerous disorders of the nervous system. Some may affect the brain and spinal cord while some affect the peripheral nervous system. Many conditions may also affect the peripheral nerves of the body leading to loss of sensation and paralysis.
Physical injury to the peripheral nerves is a common condition that affects their functioning. Often the peripheral nerves have the capacity to regenerate if they are injured. But this process of regeneration may take years of exercise and physiotherapy.
Damage to nerves may also be caused by swellings at places or channels where the median nerve passes through. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome.
Some conditions affect many of the terminal nerves. This is called peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy may begin as a tingling numbness of the fingers and toes and extend along the limbs. It is commonly caused in diabetic individuals and those with certain genetic diseases of the nerves, vitamin deficiencies of vitamin B12 etc., infections such as herpes infection or leprosy, poisoning with Mercury, lead and other heavy metals, inflammatory conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome etc.
Neuropathy may also result from prolonged pressure to the nerve, leading to numbness and stiffness (pins and needles), sharp drops in temperature and prolonged action of local anesthetic drugs. An actual cause of peripheral neuropathy may also be elusive. This is called idiopathic neuropathy.
Physical injury to the peripheral nerves is a common condition that affects their functioning. Often the peripheral nerves have the capacity to regenerate if they are injured. But this process of regeneration may take years of exercise and physiotherapy.
Damage to nerves may also be caused by swellings at places or channels where the median nerve passes through. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome.
Some conditions affect many of the terminal nerves. This is called peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy may begin as a tingling numbness of the fingers and toes and extend along the limbs. It is commonly caused in diabetic individuals and those with certain genetic diseases of the nerves, vitamin deficiencies of vitamin B12 etc., infections such as herpes infection or leprosy, poisoning with Mercury, lead and other heavy metals, inflammatory conditions such as Guillain-Barré syndrome etc.
Neuropathy may also result from prolonged pressure to the nerve, leading to numbness and stiffness (pins and needles), sharp drops in temperature and prolonged action of local anesthetic drugs. An actual cause of peripheral neuropathy may also be elusive. This is called idiopathic neuropathy.
Polio
Poliomyelitis is a viral disease that can affect nerves and can lead to partial or full paralysis. Poliomyelitis is a disease caused by infection with the poliovirus.
The virus spreads by: direct person-to-person contact, contact with infected mucus or phlegm from the nose or mouth, and contact with infected feces. The virus enters through the mouth and nose, multiplies in the throat and intestinal tract, and then is absorbed and spread through the blood and lymph system.
The time from being infected with the virus to developing symptoms of disease ranges from 5 - 35 days (average 7 - 14 days). Most people do not develop symptoms.
Risks include lack of immunization agaisnt polio and travel to an area that has experienced polio outbreak.
There are three basic patterns of polio infection: subclinical infections, nonparalytic, and paralytic. Most people have subclinical infection, and may not have symptoms.
SUBCLINICAL INFECTION SYMPTOMS:
General discomfort or uneasiness, headache, red throat, slight fever, sore throat, and vomiting.
The virus spreads by: direct person-to-person contact, contact with infected mucus or phlegm from the nose or mouth, and contact with infected feces. The virus enters through the mouth and nose, multiplies in the throat and intestinal tract, and then is absorbed and spread through the blood and lymph system.
The time from being infected with the virus to developing symptoms of disease ranges from 5 - 35 days (average 7 - 14 days). Most people do not develop symptoms.
Risks include lack of immunization agaisnt polio and travel to an area that has experienced polio outbreak.
There are three basic patterns of polio infection: subclinical infections, nonparalytic, and paralytic. Most people have subclinical infection, and may not have symptoms.
SUBCLINICAL INFECTION SYMPTOMS:
General discomfort or uneasiness, headache, red throat, slight fever, sore throat, and vomiting.
Multiple Sclerosis
Primary-Progressive MS
This disease course is characterized by slowly worsening neurologic function from the beginning—with no distinct relapses or remissions. The rate of progression may vary over time, with occasional plateaus and temporary minor improvements.
Approximately 10% of people are diagnosed with primary-progressive MS.
Secondary-Progressive MS
Following an initial period of relapsing-remitting MS, many people develop a secondary-progressive disease course in which the disease worsens more steadily, with or without occasional flare-ups, minor recoveries (remissions), or plateaus. Before the disease-modifying medications became available, approximately 50% of people with relapsing-remitting MS developed this form of the disease within 10 years. Long-term data are not yet available to determine if treatment significantly delays this transition.
Progressive-Relapsing MS
In this relatively rare course of MS (5%), people experience steadily worsening disease from the beginning, but with clear attacks of worsening neurologic function along the way. They may or may not experience some recovery following these
relapses, but the disease continues to progress without remissions.
This disease course is characterized by slowly worsening neurologic function from the beginning—with no distinct relapses or remissions. The rate of progression may vary over time, with occasional plateaus and temporary minor improvements.
Approximately 10% of people are diagnosed with primary-progressive MS.
Secondary-Progressive MS
Following an initial period of relapsing-remitting MS, many people develop a secondary-progressive disease course in which the disease worsens more steadily, with or without occasional flare-ups, minor recoveries (remissions), or plateaus. Before the disease-modifying medications became available, approximately 50% of people with relapsing-remitting MS developed this form of the disease within 10 years. Long-term data are not yet available to determine if treatment significantly delays this transition.
Progressive-Relapsing MS
In this relatively rare course of MS (5%), people experience steadily worsening disease from the beginning, but with clear attacks of worsening neurologic function along the way. They may or may not experience some recovery following these
relapses, but the disease continues to progress without remissions.
Parkinson's Disease
Symptoms of Parkinson's disease include muscle rigidity, tremors, and changes in speech and movement of the limbs.
Parkinson’s causes are unknown but genetics, aging, and toxins are being researched. After a Parkinson’s diagnosis, Parkinson’s disease treatments are given to help relieve symptoms.
There is no cure for Parkinson's and herbal remedies are unproven. Studies on using stem cells to treat Parkinson's disease are under way. The prognosis depends on the patient's age and symptoms.
Parkinson’s causes are unknown but genetics, aging, and toxins are being researched. After a Parkinson’s diagnosis, Parkinson’s disease treatments are given to help relieve symptoms.
There is no cure for Parkinson's and herbal remedies are unproven. Studies on using stem cells to treat Parkinson's disease are under way. The prognosis depends on the patient's age and symptoms.
Alzheimer
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term
for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere
with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50-80% of dementia
cases.
Alzheimer's worsens over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive
disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's,
individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment.
Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.
Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues.
Although current Alzheimer's treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.
for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere
with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50-80% of dementia
cases.
Alzheimer's worsens over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive
disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's,
individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment.
Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.
Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues.
Although current Alzheimer's treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.
Meningitis
Meningitis is a disease caused by the inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord known as the meninges. The inflammation is usually caused by an infection of the fluid surrounding the
brain and spinal cord.
Meningitis may develop in response to a number of causes, usually
bacteria or viruses, but meningitis can also be caused by physical injury,
cancer or certain drugs.
The severity of illness and the treatment for meningitis differ
depending on the cause. Thus, it is important to know the specific cause of
meningitis.
Bacterial: Bacterial meningitis is usually severe. While most people with meningitis recover, it can cause serious complications, such as brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities.
Viral: less severe. Most viral meningitis cases in the United States, especially during the summer months, are caused by enteroviruses; however, only a small number of people with enterovirus infections actually develop meningitis.
Fungal: Fungal meningitis is rare and usually the result of spread of a fungus through blood to the spinal cord. Although anyone can get fungal meningitis, people with weak immune systems, like those with AIDS or cancer, are at higher risk.
Parasitic: Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a very rare form of parasitic meningitis that causes a fatal brain infection. The parasite enters the body through the nose and is caused by the microscopic ameba (a single-celled living
organism) Naegleria fowleri.
Non-Infectious: Non–infectious meningitis causes include:
Cancers, Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), Certain drugs, Head injury,
Brain surgery
brain and spinal cord.
Meningitis may develop in response to a number of causes, usually
bacteria or viruses, but meningitis can also be caused by physical injury,
cancer or certain drugs.
The severity of illness and the treatment for meningitis differ
depending on the cause. Thus, it is important to know the specific cause of
meningitis.
Bacterial: Bacterial meningitis is usually severe. While most people with meningitis recover, it can cause serious complications, such as brain damage, hearing loss, or learning disabilities.
Viral: less severe. Most viral meningitis cases in the United States, especially during the summer months, are caused by enteroviruses; however, only a small number of people with enterovirus infections actually develop meningitis.
Fungal: Fungal meningitis is rare and usually the result of spread of a fungus through blood to the spinal cord. Although anyone can get fungal meningitis, people with weak immune systems, like those with AIDS or cancer, are at higher risk.
Parasitic: Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a very rare form of parasitic meningitis that causes a fatal brain infection. The parasite enters the body through the nose and is caused by the microscopic ameba (a single-celled living
organism) Naegleria fowleri.
Non-Infectious: Non–infectious meningitis causes include:
Cancers, Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), Certain drugs, Head injury,
Brain surgery