We just finished up learning about the neurological system and its disorders. It still amazes me how every system in the body is so individually complex, affected by so many things externally and internally and has disease to deal with, and yet by and large most of us never experience much more than hiccups in the machine.
The brain, the CNS and PNS control our autonomic and voluntary motions. Consequently various disorders of these systems leave people with out the ability to care for themselves but still cognitive, or partially in control or with intermittent control, which can be very frustrating.
Some, maybe many of you know or will know someone who suffers for one such disease, such as epilepsy, mysthenia graves, or multiple sclerosis. I will talk a little about those, but first I want to post some info I some signs of the most probable disorder that you may encounter that needs immediate treatment, stroke.
Symptoms of a stroke:
* Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
* Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
* Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
* Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
* Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Not all of these warning signs occur in every stroke - depends on the site and type of stroke.
These are great signs to know and my be the most helpful to you or someone close in getting them proper treatment.
Head trauma can lead to many ill effects of inter cranial pressure. I think it is best said that if you suspect head trauma, even mild, have a physician check it out because many signs and symptoms depend on the area of pressure and are not easily observed.
They other disorder that interested me was myasthenia gravis. This disorder consists of degeneration of the receptors of your muscles that receive acetylcholine. This is released by the nervous system to allow voluntary muscles to depolarize and contract. This is an autoimmune disease, which means your own body binds to and blocks these receptors with antibodies and eventually it may cause complete destruction of these receptors. Although the effects of this disorder are similar to many other neurological disorders, it is reversible. I think this is why it interested me. If the condition is recognized and diagnoses patients can be treated with anticholinesterase drugs. this drug blocks the break down of acetylcholine and allows the neuromuscular joints to remain more responsive.
As always, hope you enjoyed and let me know of any questions you may have.
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