Path 2: Nervous System II

Parasite in rat intestines, cat eats rat, cat poop, parasite now in cat poop

• Tumors that originate within the CNS, malignant or benign, can lead to serious complications, even death, as a result of compression of vital structures
• *Any kind of tumor in brain can be deadly

• Most common tumor occuring in adults
• Most aggressive & malignant with death usually occuring 1 year after diagnosis
• Found most often between 40-60 years of age
• Come from astrocytes

is the most common type of astrocytoma

are responsible for the blood/brain barrier

• Rare with a good prognosis
• Occur within cerebral hemisphere
• In adults ages 30 to 50
• Grows slow & often presents with seizures
• Are responsible for myelin production

• uncommon
• occuring at all ages
• low grade, slow, malignant tumor that can spread through the CSF
• triggers hydrocephalus secondary to obstruction of the 4th ventricle
• ependymal cells are responsible for circulation of CSF

• occur in any age, most often in middle aged women (2:1)
• an encapsulated tumor that arises outside the brain substance & attaches to dura
• typically benign, found along the external surfaces of the brain & within the ventricles

• most common demyelingating disease of the CNS
• most likely an autoimmune disease

• geographical residence 1/1000 in the U.S.
• 2:1 females to males

relapsing & remitting disease; the incomplete recovery from each episode leads to a progressive deterioration

Inflammatory reaction with poor resolution, incomplete remyelination, forming the chronic plaque

manifestitions include: paresthesias, spasticity, gait abnormalities, and speech problems

average life expectancy 20-30 years after diagnosis

• massage can be really helpful
• their symptoms can change, take note of what type of massage (relax, stiff joints etc.)
• avoid contrast treatments
• shorter sessions

• is not part of normal aging
• loss of cognitive function
• causes can be not enough stimulation

• Unknown etiology
• most common cause of dementia
• lose chunks of brain tissue
• 3% of ages 66-74, 19% of ages 75-84, 47% of ages >85
• 2:1 female to male

• characterized by plaques (heuritic) & tangles (neurofibrillary)
• there is a cortical atrophy & a widening of the venticles

• Progressive impairment of memory and other cognitive features over 5-15 years
• forgetfulness
• memory loss
• speech difficulties
• leading ultimately to dementia
• incontinence
• loss of speech
• the ability to walk

• Informed Consent by someone they know
• Having that person there with them, in case they can't remember why you are working on them
• relaxation massage
• be cautious of bed sores

• Depigmentation of the substantia nigra with loss of neurons
• 2% of population in N. America, affecting more men than women

• Disturbance of motor functions:
• rigidity
• expressionless faces
• stooped posture
• gait disturbances
• slowing of voluntary movements
• characteristic pill rolling tremor

• Helps to lengthen flexors
• good position is prone to counteract flexion
• rhythmic & repeatative strokes help brake up px cycle

• disorder involving the extrapyramidal motor system (controls motor activities associated with maintaing balance & posture)
• characterized by involuntary writhing movements (choreal) and demetia
• not apparent until adulthood between the ages 40-50
• relentless progression
• death occurring within 15 years at onset
• cognitive & emotional disturbances precede onset of abnormal movements

• eventually incapsulated by movements with a severe loss of cognitive function & deteroration of intellect.
• paranoia & delusions are often present
• increased risk of suicide
• infections the most common cause of natural death

Work closely with a physician

• Unknown etiology
• a progressive, degenerative disorder of the pyramidal system (control skeletal muscle movements)
• 5-10% of cases familial
• relentless progression
• begins as weakness of the hands & clumsiness

• median survival 5 yrs
• death comes secondary to respiratory insufficiency
• cognitive function often preserved throughout the course of the disease

• Thiamine Deficiency (vitamin B1)
• B12 Deficiency
• Carbon Monoxide
• Ethanol

• Development of abrupt psychotic symptoms
• usually associated with alcoholism (alcohol interferes with metabolism)

fairly rapid onset of confusion, ataxia

permanent memory deficit

• severe & irreversible injury within the nervous system
• sensory & motor problems with lower extremities, may ultimately lead to paraplegia
• *vegetarians, vegans etc need to be super careful

• CO gets "stuck" on red blood cell, replacing O2
• exhaust fumes
• severe cases - blood transfusion

• directly toxic to CNS tissue
• chronic alcohol abuse leads to irreversible injury

• Pain is primarly a protective mechanism meant to bring to conscious awareness the fact that tissue damage is occurring
• accompanied by motivated behavioral responses (such as withdrawal or defense)

• 1. Mechanical nociceptors: respond to mechanical damage such as cutting, crushing, or pinching
• 2. Thermal nociceptors: respond to temperature extremes, esp heat
• 3. Polymodal nociceptors: respond equally to all kinds of damaging stimuli, including irritating chemicals released from injured tissues

• They are all naked nerve endings
• Do not adapt to sustained or repetitive stimulation
• all other nociceptors can be sensitized by the presence of prostaglandins
• FYI: pain medication makes sensor to brain become smaller

• endorphins & enkephalins - neurotransmitters involved with pre and post synaptic px inhibition for up to hrs after release
• multiple receptor sites within the brain and can partially or totally suppress many px signals entering through the peripheral nervous system.

• Fast Pain: felt within 0.1 seconds after stimulus. Described as sharp, acute, electric, and stays within the skin.
• Slow Pain: felt 1+ seconds after stimulus and grows slowly for up to several minutes. Described as burning, aching, throbbing, nauseating and involves tissue destruction.

• Px felt @ site separate from the tissue causing px
• Px initiated @ visceral organ is referred to an area of the body surface. Important in clinical diagnosis.
• Branches of px fibers from the viscera (organs) synapse in the spinal cord with the same neurons that receive px from the skin.

• Ischemia
• Chemical Stimuli
• Spasm of a hollow viscus
• Over distention of a hollow viscus

• lack of blood flow
• leads to px of the viscera in the same way it works in other areas of the body, the acidic metabolic end products

Leaks

mechanical stimulation of px fibers leads to ischemia & cramps

extreme overfilling leads to collapse of blood vessels and ischemia

• the brain itelf is almost insensitive to px
• stretching dura at the base of the brain can lead to a headache
• any trauma, stretching, crushing of blood vessels of the meninges and brain lead to px

• most severe of all headaches
• inflammation of the meninges and the venous sinuses

brain no longer floats causing the weight of the brain to stretch and distort the dural surfaces

• vascular problems
• begins with various prodromal sensations including: nausea, partial loss of vision, visual aura, and other types of sensory hallucinations (sensitive to light, sound, smell etc.)
• prodomal symptoms usually begin 1/2 to 1 hr before the headache

• result of alcohol
• directly toxic to tissues
• directly irritating the meninges
• dehydration factor

• most common
• contraction of neck and scalp muscles often as a result of stress, depression and anxiety

• affect one side of the head
• occur in clusters, often at the same time of day, every day for weeks

a change in the environment that is preceived as a threat, challenge, or harm to the person's sense of balance

• Breathing: simple technique, breath slow & deep while avoiding hyperventilation
• Muscle Relaxation: progressively tense & relax muscle groups until body feels relaxed
• Autogenic training: replace painful or unpleasant sensations with pleasant ones through autosuggestion
• Guided Imagery: Take a mental vacation
• Distraction: use your own interests & activies to divert attention