Med Term 11: symptoms & diseases

cerebral palsy

bilateral, symmetrical, nonprogressive motor dysfunction and partial paralysis, which is usually caused by damage to the cerebrum during gestation or birth trauma but can also be hereditary

stroke

brain tissue damage caused by a disorder within the blood vessels that is usually due to the formation of a clot or a ruptured blood vessel; aka cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

alzheimer diesease

chronic, organic brain syndrome characterized by death of neurons in the cerebral cortex and their replacement by microscopic "plaques," which results in dementia that progresses to complete loss of mental, emotional, and physical functioning and personality changes

hydrocephalus

condition caused by an accumulation of fluid within the ventricles of the brain that causes pressure build up, distending the ventricles in the brain and compressing brain tissue, and which, if left untreated, causes a grossly enlarged head and mental retardation

spina bifida

congenital neural tube defect characterized by incomplete closure of the spinal canal through which the spinal cord and meninges may or may not protrude

epilepsy

disorder that results form the generation of electrical signals inside the brain, causing recurring seizures in which some people simply stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure, while others have extreme convulsions

shingles

eruption of acute, inflammatory, herpetic vesicles caused by herpes zoster virus on the trunk of the body along a peripheral nerve

bell palsy

facial paralysis on one side of the face due to inflammation of a facial nerve

poliomyelitis

inflammation of the gray matter of the spinal cord caused by a virus, commonly resulting in spinal and muscle deformity and paralysis

huntington chorea

inherited, degenerative disease of the CNS with symptoms developing in middle age as nerve cells in the brain waste away, resulting in uncontrolled bizarre movements, emotional disturbances, and mental deterioration

transient ishcemic attack (TIA)

interruption in blood supply to the brain that does not cause permanent brain damage by may be an indication of a higher risk of a more serious and debilitating condition (stroke); aka ministroke

flaccid

loss of (muscle) reflexes and tone

paralysis

loss of muscle function loss of sensation, or both as a result of spinal cord injury

neuroblastoma

malignant tumor composed mainly of cells resembling neuroblasts that occurs most commonly in infants and children

psychosis

mental disorder marked by loss of contact with reality; often with delusions and hallucinations

spina bifida cystica

more severe type of spina bifida that involves protrusion of the meninges (meningocele), spinal cord (myelocele), or both (meningomyelocele)

spina bifida occulta

most common and least severe form of spina bifida without protrusion of the spinal cord or meninges

spastic

muscular tension and hyperactive reflexes

neurosis

nonpsychotic mental illness that triggers feelings of distress and anxiety and impairs normal behavior

palsy

partial or complete loss of motor function; aka paralysis

multiple scleroisis (MS)

progressive degenerative disease of the CNS characterized by inflammation, hardening, and loss of myelin throughout the spinal cord and brain which produces weakness and other muscle symptoms

parkinson disease

progressive neurological disorder caused by a neurotransmitter deficiency (dopamine) that affects the portion of the brain responsible for controlling movement and results in hand tremors, uncontrollable head nodding, shuffling gait, and difficulty talking, swallowing, or completing simple tasks

dementia

progressive, irreversible deterioration of mental function marked by memory impairment and, commonly, deficits in reasoning, judgement, abstract thought, comprehension, learning, task execution, and use of language

vertebral fractures and dislocations

severe injuries to the spinal cord that result in impairment of spinal cord function below the level of the injury.

sciatica

severe pain in the leg along the course of the sciatic nerve, which travels from the hip to the foot