Nervous system disease

Nervous system disease
Specialty Neurology

Nervous system diseases, also known as nervous system or neurological disorders, refers to a small class of medical conditions affecting the nervous system. This category encompasses over 600 different conditions, including genetic disorders, infections, cancer, seizure disorders (such as epilepsy), conditions with a cardiovascular origin (such as stroke), congenital and developmental disorders (such as spina bifida), and degenerative disorders (such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).[1]

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms can vary depending on the condition. Given the significance of the nervous system in human physiology, symptoms can involve other organ systems and result in motor dysfunction, sensory impairment, pain, etc.

Causes

Anatomy and function

Central nervous system (CNS)

Brain

Diagnosis and tests

There are a number of different tests that can be used to diagnose neurological disorders.

Lumbar puncture

A lumbar puncture (LP), also known as a spinal tap, is a procedure where a hollow needle is inserted into the subarachnoid space of the spinal cord, allowing for the collection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for collection and subsequent analysis. Red and white blood cell counts, protein and glucose levels, and the presence of abnormal cells or pathogens such as bacteria and viruses can all be screened for. The opacity and color of the fluid can also yield useful information that can assist in a diagnosis.

Treatments

The treatments for nervous system disorders varies depending on the condition, and can include interventions such as medication, surgery, and therapy.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Nervous System Diseases | Neurologic Diseases | MedlinePlus". Retrieved 2018-02-02.
Classification


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