Learn more about neurological illness and its ramifications on the body. Four well-known disorders represent the larger sea of neurological problems and cures.
Neurological disorders affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) as well as the peripheral nervous system (peripheral or "bodily" nerves and/or cranial or "head" nerves.) Biotechdictionary.com defines such illness as a "disturbance in the structure or function of the central nervous system, resulting from developmental abnormality, disease, injury, or toxin."
Several well-known illnesses are representative of these four categories, showing the vast range and cause for neurological abnormalities:
- Cerebral Palsy (developmental abnormality)
CP can be developmental (in place prior to birth), birth-related, or developed in the first few years of life. In cases of developmental CP, the causes can include the birth mother's drinking or smoking in excess, developing an infection during pregnancy, or a possible brain bleed within the fetus. Many infants born with cerebral palsy are also premature with low birth weights.
CP itself is defined as a disorder involving the impairment of movement control. Damaged or maldeveloped motor areas in the brain produce problems with fine motor skills and general movements. CP can present as a problem with over-flexed muscles (rigidity), loose or weak muscle tone, or both.
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (disease)
Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS is a neurological disorder that attacks the nerve cells or neurons in a person's central nervous system. These cells control movement of voluntary muscles, so rapid progression of this disease causes loss of muscle movement and eventual respiratory failure. The cause of ALS is unknown and although there is a new drug Riluzole which can prolong life for several months, the fatality rate is almost 100% by about ten years after onset.
- Stroke (injury)
Stroke involves the interruption of blood flow to the brain by blockage (ischemic) or by vessel rupture (hemorrhagic.) When such things occur, brain cells can die due to lack of oxygen. Symptoms of a stroke include numbness or weakness on one side of the body, vision disturbance, confusion, speech disturbance, loss of coordination, and headache. Treatments for stroke include preventative health and lifestyle changes, intervention during the stroke (to dissolve the clot or stop the hemorrhage), and post-rehabilitation to retrain the body. People can suffer permanent side-effects such as paralysis, numbness, speech problems, and depression.
- Meningitis (toxin)
There are two forms of meningitis: bacterial and viral. Both are caused by an invasion on the membranes of the spinal cord, causing inflammation and fever. Viral meningitis can be resolved in 10 days or sooner, although a person can feel very ill with severe headache, fever, stiff neck, and weak muscles. Bacterial meningitis, a bit more serious, usually requires hospitalization. Full recovery is possible from both, although sometimes things escalate very quickly, causing death. Prompt treatment is dire.
***Read more about neurological illness in the article Neurological Illness Part 2.
***For more neurological information, check out the Neurological ARTICLE INDEX and Blog.
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