POLIOMYELITIS
• Also called infantile paralysis
• A disease that destroys the motor neurons and causes paralysis.
Cause:Poliomyelitis is caused by
infection with a virus known as poliovirus (PV).
Symptoms:
90% of polio infections have no symptoms at all.
RABIESRabies is an infection caused by the rabies virus. This virus attacks the brain, causing severe inflammation (encephalitis) and death. A person or animal can become infected with the rabies virus in one of a few ways, including: Bites Non-bite exposure Human-to-human transmission. Bites from a rabid animal (an animal with rabies) are the most common way in which rabies transmission occurs. Non-bite exposure and human-to-human exposure are both rare.
Rabies victim
• Symptoms may be headache, fatigue, fever and pain at the site of the bite can be present. Behavioral changes like apprehension, anxiety, agitation, irritability, insomnia and depression may also appear.
MENINGITIS
Meningitis is an inflammation of the
meninges, the membranes that cover
the brain and spinal cord. It is usually caused by
bacteria or viruses, but it can also be caused by certain medications or
illnesses.
Causes:
Many of the bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis are fairly common and are typically associated with other routine illnesses. Bacteria and viruses that infect the skin, urinary system, gastrointestinal or respiratory tract can spread by the bloodstream to the meninges through cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that circulates in and around the spinal cord.
Symptoms:
The first symptoms of bacterial or viral meningitis can come on quickly or surface several days after a child has had a cold and runny nose, diarrhea and vomiting, or other signs of an infection. Common symptoms include:
• fever• lethargy (decreased consciousness)• irritability• headache• photophobia (eye sensitivity to light)• stiff neck• skin rashes• seizures
Cerebral Palsyis an umbrella term encompassing a group of non-progressive, non-contagious conditions that cause physical disability in human development.
Causes:• Infection During Pregnancy – rubella, cytomegalovirus, and toxoplasmosis
can cause severe damage to the nervous system of the fetus and result in cerebral palsy.
• Jaundice – severe jaundice can result in brain damage• Rh Incompatibility – can cause jaundice This is a condition where the
mother's immune system attacks the fetus• Oxygen Shortage – a shortage of oxygen during birth can cause brain damage
to the child.• Stroke – a stroke in the fetus can occur if the mother suffers from
coagulation disorders• Toxicity – drug or alcohol use can result in brain damage• Bleeding – bleeding in the brain of the infant after birth can cause brain
damage• Kidney/Urinary Tract Infections – can also lead to brain damage
Symptoms:
CHARACTERISED BY THE FOLLOWING: abnormal muscle tone, posture (i.e. slouching over while sitting),
reflexes, or motor development and coordination. There can be joint and bone deformities and contractures
(permanently fixed, tight muscles and joints). The classical symptoms are spasticity, spasms, other involuntary
movements (e.g. facial gestures), unsteady gait, problems with balance, and/or soft tissue findings consisting largely of decreased muscle mass.
Scissor walking (where the knees come in and cross) and toe walking are common among people with CP who are able to walk, but taken on the whole, CP symptomatology is very diverse.
Brain Tumors
African Sleeping Sickness
- is a protozoan infection passed to humans through the bite of the tsetse fly. It progresses
to death within months or years if left untreated.
Encephalitis
- is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the brain. Inflammation changes the normal blood
flow in the brain.
Symptoms:Symptoms of encephalitis can be mild or very serious.
• Confusion.• A fever.• A headache (which can be very painful).• A stiff neck and back.• Light hurting your eyes.• Nausea and vomiting.• Lack of energy.• Drowsiness.• Seizures.• Tremors.• Personality changes.• Memory loss.• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there).
Alzheimer’s Disease
Neuron affected by Alzheimer’s
Causes:
Age Family history Lifestyle factors
Epilepsy
Causes of Epilepsy in:Newborns
• Brain malformations• Lack of oxygen during birth
• Low levels of blood sugar, blood calcium, blood magnesium or other electrolyte disturbances
• Inborn errors of metabolism• Intracranial hemorrhage• Maternal drug use
• Infection
In Infants and Children
• Fever (febrile seizures)• Brain tumor (rarely)
• Infections
Children and Adults
• Congenital conditions (Down’s syndrome; Angelman’s syndrome; tuberous sclerosis and neurofibromatosis)
• Genetic factors• Progressive brain disease (rare)• Head trauma
In Elderly
• Stroke• Alzheimer’s disease
• Trauma
Positron Emission Tomography scanner
Quiz
Multiple Choice:
1. When a child is affected with POLIOMYELITIS, which of these will result?
A.BlindnessB. Paralysis
C.EncephalitisD. Deafness
2. Which of the following is a symptom of PARKINSON’S DISEASE?
A. Shaking of the arms and legsB. Enlargement of the head
C. Drooping of the eyesD. Angry outbursts
3. What is the cause of CEREBRAL PALSY?
A. Cutting off of oxygen supply to the brainB. Infection of the spinal cord
C. A bruise in the nervesD. A concussion in the head
4. Why should a person avoid being bitten by a mad dog?
A. A mad dog can make a person invalidB. A mad dog has rabies which can cause
madness and deathC. A mad dog can cause meningitis
D. A mad dog can cause encephalitis
5. Why should you protect your head from injury?
A. The brain maybe affectedB. A mad dog has rabies which can cause
madness and deathC. A mad dog can cause meningitis
D. A mad dog can cause encephalitis
Assignments
Answer this:
When can a spinal injury be very serious? Cite an example.
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