Question

1. What is intracranial pressure? What could cause it
2. What tests would be useful in diagnosing multiple sclerosis?
3. What risk factors are associated with cerebral vascular accidents?
4. Why would it be difficult to diagnose Alzheimers in the early stage? Could there be a familial factor?
5. What is meningitis? What are the signs and symptoms?
6. What are some signs and symptoms of a brain tumor?
7. Can a benign brain tumor be pathologic? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Intracranial pressure :

Pressure inside the skull is called intracranial pressure (ICP). Normal range of ICP is 7 - 15mmHg

Causes :

Causes of increased ICP includes brain tumor, hematoma or abscess, contusion, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Obstruction and increased CSF production. Leak of CSF to other body cavity, lumbar puncture, medical procedures involving the brain and spinal cord are the causes of decreased ICP

Multiple sclerosis :

Diagnostic test for multiple sclerosis :

> Blood tests : to rule out the symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis.

> Lumber puncture : collect spinal fluid to analyze the abnormal antibodies which indicates multiple sclerosis

> MRI : multiple sclerosis lesions can be seen in the brain and spinal cord

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) :

Blood flow in the parts of brain is stopped either by a blockage or rupture of blood vessels is called stock or CVA

Risk factors :

> Smoking

> High blood pressure

> Obesity

> Lack of exercise

> High cholesterol

> Food high in fat and salt and decreased consumption of fiber, fruits and vegetables

Alzheimer's Disease :

It is difficult to diagnose early stage of Alzheimer's disease because the person or family generally underreport the symptoms due to the unawareness. They consider the symptoms are normal. For example, the early symptoms include recent memory loss like forget the date of any function. It is considered as a normal thing

> Early onset (in the age of 30's,40's,50's) of Alzheimer's disease considered as familial Alzheimer's Disease. It is hereditary.

Meningitis :

Inflammation of the meninges is called meningitis

Signs and symptoms :

> Nuchal rigidity

> Positive Kerning's sign

> Positive Brudzinski's sign

> Photo phobia

> Fever

> Seizure

Brain Tumor :

Signs and symptoms :

> Headaches : gradually increases the severity of headaches

> Nausea and vomiting

> Gradually decrease the sensation

> Seizure

> Speaking and balance difficulties

> Confusion and behavioral changes

> Vision problems

Pathology of benign brain tumor :

Some benign tumors compress the tissues and causes nerve damage, reduction of blood flow and leads to necrosis and organ damage.