OVERVIEW OF

CENTRAL
NERVOUS SYSTEM
DISORDERS
MR. ROHIT MENGAR

NURSE EDUCATOR

MSC NURSE
WHAT IS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM?

• The nervous system is a complex system that controls and coordinates body activities. It's made up of
2 main divisions:
Central nervous system. This consists of the brain and spinal cord.

• Peripheral nervous system. This consists of the peripheral nerves and the autonomic nerves.

• The main organs of the nervous system include:

• Brain, Spinal cord

• Eyes, Ears

• Sensory organs of taste

• Sensory organs of smell

• Sensory receptors located in the skin, joints, muscles, and other parts of the body
SOME SAYS MONEY MATTERS, BUT MY BROTHER SAYS BRAIN MATTERS
MORE
 WHAT ARE SOME DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM?

• The nervous system can be affected by various disorders. It can be damaged by:
• Injury
• Infections
CEREBRO SPINAL FLUID
• Degeneration
Normal pressure: 50-175 mm H20
• Structural defects
Normal Value: 125-150 ml
• Tumors
• Blood flow disruption
• Autoimmune disorders
 DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Disorders of the nervous system may include:

• Vascular disorders, such as stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hemorrhage
and hematoma, and extradural hemorrhage
• Infections, such as meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis, and epidural abscess
• Structural disorders, such as brain or spinal cord injury, cervical spondylosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, brain or spinal
cord tumors
• Seizure disorders, such as epilepsy.
• Degeneration, such as Parkinson disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington chorea, and Alzheimer disease
• Autoimmune or inflammatory disorders , such as Bell palsy, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, and Guillain-
Barré syndrome
• Mental health disorders, such as mood disorders, depression, and schizophrenia.
 SYMPTOMS OF NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS
These are the most common symptoms of a nervous system disorder. But each person may have slightly
different symptoms. Symptoms may include
Persistent or sudden onset of a headache A headache that changes or is different

Loss of feeling or tingling Weakness or loss of muscle strength

Loss of sight or double vision Memory loss

Impaired mental ability Lack of coordination

Muscle rigidity Tremors and seizures

Back pain that spreads to the feet, toes, or Muscle wasting and slurred speech
other parts of the body New language impairment (expression or
comprehension)
The symptoms of a nervous system disorder may look like other medical conditions or
problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
 HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS WHO TREAT NERVOUS SYSTEM
DISORDERS

• The best way to manage nervous system disorders is with the help of a team of healthcare providers. You may not need

all members of the team at any given time. But it's good to know who they are and how they can help. Here is a list of

some of the healthcare providers that may be involved in treating nervous system disorders:

• Neurologist. The doctors who diagnose and treat nervous system disorders are called neurologists. Some neurologists

treat acute strokes and cerebral aneurysms.

• Neurosurgeon. Surgeons who use surgery to treat nervous system disorders. They are called neurological surgeons or

neurosurgeons.

• Neuroradiologist and interventional radiologist. This is a radiologist who specializes in diagnosing nervous system

conditions using imaging and in treating nervous system conditions, such as cerebral aneurysms, acute strokes, and

vertebral fractures. This provider also does biopsies of certain tumors.

• Psychologist. Problems, such as anxiety, depression, mood swings, and irritability, are common in

nervous system disorders. Your psychologist can help. Psychologists may do testing to find out how

much your disorder is affecting the way you think and feel. Psychologists also do counseling to help you

deal with the emotional effects caused by nervous system disorders.

• Psychiatrist. Like your psychologist, this team member deals with emotional and behavior symptoms

caused by nervous system disorders. In most cases, counseling works best for these problems. But if

you need medicines to treat symptoms, such as depression or anxiety, this healthcare provider can help.

• Physiatrist. Healthcare providers who work with people in the rehab (rehabilitation) process are called

physiatrists.
• Physical therapist. This is a movement specialist who can help you move and walk well. In

physical therapy, you can also work on painful or stiff muscles and joints.

• Occupational therapist. This provider helps you learn to handle your day-to-day activities. For

example, you might have trouble doing tasks you need to do at work or at home. Your

occupational therapist will help you find ways to adjust to any changes in your physical abilities.

• Speech/language pathologist. This healthcare provider specializes in communication, including

cognitive communication. They also diagnose and treat swallowing problems

 CEREBRAL ANEURYSM
• A cerebral aneurysm (also known as a brain aneurysm) is a weak or thin spot on
an artery in the brain that balloons or bulges out and fills with blood. The bulging
aneurysm can put pressure on the nerves or brain tissue. It may also burst or
rupture, spilling blood into the surrounding tissue (called a hemorrhage). A
ruptured aneurysm can cause serious health problems such as hemorrhagic stroke,
brain damage, coma, and even death. SYMPTOMS
Unruptured aneurysm Ruptured aneurysm
• Pain above and behind the Double vision
eye Nausea
• Numbness Vomiting
• Weakness Stiff neck
• Paralysis on one side of the Sensitivity to light
face Seizures
• A dilated pupil in the eye Loss of consciousness (this may happen briefly or may be
• Vision changes or double prolonged)
vision. Cardiac arrest.
 MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition that happens when the immune system attacks the brain
and spinal cord.
• Symptoms of MS vary from person to person and depend on the location and
severity of nerve fiber damage. These often include vision problems, tiredness,
trouble walking and keeping balance, and numbness or weakness in the arms and
legs. Symptoms can come and go or last for a long time.
• The causes of MS are not known but a family history of the disease may increase
the risk.
• While there is no cure for MS, treatment can reduce symptoms, prevent further
relapses and improve quality of life.
 MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
• Myasthenia gravis is a long-term neuromuscular junction disease that leads to varying degrees of
skeletal muscle weakness. The most affected muscles are those of the eyes, face, and swallowing. It
can result in double vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulties in talking and walking. Onset can be
sudden.
• Causes: Autoimmune disease
• Medication: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (neostigmine, pyridostigmine), immunosuppressants
• Treatment: Medications, surgical removal of the thymus, plasmapheresis
• Diagnostic method: Blood tests for specific antibodies, edrophonium test, nerve conduction
studies
• Differential diagnosis: Guillain–Barré syndrome, botulism, organophosphate poisoning,
brainstem stroke, metabolic myopathies
• Duration: Long term
• Frequency: 50 to 200 per million
 PARKINSON'S DISEASE

• Parkinson disease (PD) is a brain condition that causes • PD causes motor symptoms
problems with movement, mental health, sleep, pain and including:
other health issues. • Slow movement
• PD gets worse over time. There is no cure, but therapies and • Tremor
medicines can reduce symptoms. Common symptoms include
• Involuntary movement
• Rigidity
tremors, painful muscle contractions and difficulty speaking.
• Trouble walking
• Parkinson disease results in high rates of disability and the • Imbalance on-motor symptoms include:
need for care. Many people with PD also develop dementia. • Cognitive impairment
• The disease usually occurs in older people, but younger • Mental health disorders
people can also be affected. Men are affected more often
• Dementia
• Sleep disorders
than women.
• Pain
• Sensory disturbances
 BELLS PALSY/ FACIAL PARALYSIS

• Bell's palsy is a type of facial paralysis that results in a temporary inability to control the
facial muscles on the affected side of the face. In most cases, the weakness is temporary
and significantly improves over weeks. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe.
• Differential diagnosis: Brain tumor, stroke, Ramsay Hunt syndrome type 2 , Lyme disease
• Duration: < 6 months
• Frequency: 1–4 per 10,000 per year
• Prognosis: Most recover completely
• Risk factors: Diabetes, recent upper respiratory tract infection
• Symptoms: Inability to move the facial muscles on one side, change in taste, pain around
the ear
• Treatment: Corticosteroids, eye drops, eyepatch
 GUILLAIN BARRE SYNDROME

• Guillain–Barré syndrome is a rapid-onset muscle weakness caused by the immune

system damaging the peripheral nervous system.

• Causes: Typically triggered by an infection; occasionally by surgery and by vaccination

• Treatment: Supportive care, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis
• Complications: Breathing difficulties, heart and blood pressure problems
• Deaths: 7.5% of those affected
• Diagnostic method: Based on symptoms, nerve conduction studies, lumbar puncture
• Frequency: 2 per 100,000 people per year
• Named after: Georges Guillain; Jean Alexandre Barré
 ENCEPHALITIS
• Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain. The severity can be variable with symptoms
including reduction or alteration in consciousness, headache, fever, confusion, a stiff
neck, and vomiting. Complications may include seizures, hallucinations, trouble
speaking, memory problems, and problems with hearing.
• Causes: Infection, autoimmune, certain medication, unknown
• Complications: Seizures, trouble speaking, memory problems, problems hearing
• Deaths: 150,000 (2015)
• Diagnostic method: Based on symptoms, supported by blood tests, medical imaging,
analysis of cerebrospinal fluid
• Duration: Weeks to months for recovery
• Frequency: 4.3 million (2015)
• Prognosis: Variable
 MENINGITIS
• Meningitis is the inflammation of the tissues
surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is
usually caused by infection. It can be fatal and
requires immediate medical care.
• Bacterial meningitis pathogens can cause other
symptoms because of bloodstream infections
(septicemia), which can quickly lead to sepsis,
including:
• cold hands and feet
• joint and muscle pains
• breathing faster than usual
• diarrhea
• dark purple or red rash
• Medical treatments
• Meningitis is potentially fatal within 24 hours
and requires urgent medical attention. It usually
cannot be safely cared for at home.
• Meningitis caused by viruses or bacteria can
have similar symptoms. Meningitis can vary in
severity, appropriate treatment and care
depending on the cause. Meningitis caused by
bacteria requires immediate antibiotic