Question

1.) Select and describe a disease or disorder of the nervous system. Include at least two signs and symptoms and diagnostic procedures associated with the diagnosis.select and describe a disease or disorder of the nervous system. Include at least two signs and symptoms and diagnostic procedures associated with the diagnosis.

2.) Describe the signs and symptoms that would you expect to see in a patient experiencing a stroke. Respond using at least four medical terms in at least three sentences.

Answer 1

1. The disease of nervous system I would like to discuss here is Meningitis. It is the inflammation of the meningeal layers, mostly arachnoid mater. The meninges are the protective layers around the brain and spinal cord. It is cause by various agents and organisms like the bacteria, viruses, fungi, spirochetes, protozoa. The bacteria causing meningitis are Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis Staphylococcus aureus etc. The viruses include Enterovirus, Coxsackie, Herpes simplex, HIV etc. The spirochetes include Leptospirosis, Syphilis etc. Naegleria and plasmodium of protozoa also are known to cause this disease.

The organism first reaches the cerebrospinal fluid. This can occur through direct spread from local infection, defects, anatomically defecting injuries etc or through hematogenous spread. The infective agents multiply in the cerebrospinal fluid and damage the adjacent layers. This causes release of cytokines, interleukins and other inflammatory mediators causing inflammation. This inflammation leads to increase in the pressure in the CSF due to heavy accumulation of fluid which can’t be removed by normal drainage mechanisms. This high pressure cause damage to the brain tissues which manifests as following.

The symptoms include

• fever
• nuchal rigidity
• headaches
• altered mental status
• photophobia
• seizures and Palsy are seen in some

The signs seen are

• Neck stiffness : spasm of neck muscle on attempt of flexion.
• Brudzinski’s neck sign : When a patient is flexed at neck while being placed in supine position, involuntary flexion occurs at hip and knees.
• Kernig’s sign : Resistance occurs while flexing the knee with hip in flexed position.

The diagnosis is made using

• Blood counts
• Blood culture
• Serum procalcitonin
• Lumbar puncture and CSF analysis
• CT scan of head

2. The following signs and symptoms can be seen in a patient experiencing stroke. These occur suddenly. Weakness, numbness and paralysis of the limbs and one side of face occurs. Inability to speak, confusion, visual disturbances, dizziness, headache, loss of balance and coordination and sometimes loss of consciousness also occur. Autonomic disturbances are also seen in some. The neurological deficits depends on the vessel occluded. They can manifest as blindness on the ipsilateral side, hemiparesis in the contra lateral side, confusion, heminaopia, palsy, nystagmus, vertigo, ataxia etc.

Investigations include CT scan head, MRI brain, Carotid and Vertebral artery Doppler, ECG, echocardiogram, angiogram, blood tests.

Treatment initially includes airway, breathing, circulation assessment. Securing airway and stabilising the patient. Antithrombotic treatment, anti coagulants, intro venous thrombolysis, thrombectomy, supportive therapy and rehabilitation are included in the treatment of patients with stroke.

This is a brief overview on the topic. Hope this helps you out. Please feel free to give your feedback and if you want elaborate explanation. Thank you and have a great day.