What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition primarily affecting movement of the body although some patients may also experience other neurological dysfunction like dementia. It is one of the most common neurological conditions in the elderly particularly in developed nations. The term neurodegenerative means decline of the nervous system functions and with Parkinson’s disease it mainly affects the central nervous system – the brain. However, the exact cause and disease mechanism of Parkinson’s disease is not fully understood.

Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressive disorder meaning that it gradually gets worse over a long period of time. The cause is largely unknown. Eventually there will be symptoms associated with the muscles – movement and coordination – such as resting tremor, muscle rigidity, slowness of movement called bradykinesia and postural instability. However, the effects of Parkinson’s disease along with the drugs used to treat it has a major psychosocial impact beyond just the physical symptoms.

continue reading Parkinson’s Disease FAQ, Information, Brain Chemistry Changes

What is viral encephalitis?

Encephalitis is the medical term for inflammation of the brain. It is most commonly due to infections and the majority of these cases is due to a viral infection. Therefore the term encephalitis is almost always taken to mean viral encephalitis – infection of the brain tissue with a virus. It should not be confused with meningitis which is inflammation of the linings around the brain and spinal cord. Both conditions, encephalitis and meningitis, can present with similar symptoms despite being two separate conditions. Encephalitis can however present with meningitis in which case it is known as meningoencephalitis. Encephalitis is not a common condition but is a serious infection that needs to be monitored. Most cases, however, resolve on its own with little or no treatment if a person is healthy and not immune deficient.

continue reading Viral Encephalitis (Brain Infection Virus) Disease Information

Overview

The peroneal nerve, also known as common fibular nerve, is one of the branches of the sciatic nerve. It is the most commonly injured nerve of the lower leg due to its location. Peroneal nerve injury and disease may arise due to various possible causes ranging from trauma, compression or infection. Apart from sensory symptoms such as pain, tingling and numbness with peroneal nerve disease there are other major motor symptoms since the peroneal nerve supplies the muscles that control the movement of the foot. These motor symptoms are known as foot drop.

The Peroneal Nerve

The peroneal nerve is the smaller terminal branch of the sciatic nerve, which arises from the lumbar and sacral spinal nerves (L4 to S2). The other terminal branch of the sciatic nerve which is much larger is the tibial nerve. It has two branches – superficial peroneal nerve and deep peroneal nerve. The proper term for the peroneal nerve before it terminates into the superficial and deep branches is the common peroneal nerve. It also gives off another branch which is known as the lateral sural cutaneous nerve.

continue reading Peroneal Nerve Location, Injury, Causes of Pain and Palsy

The Cranial Nerves

The brain is the central processing point for all activity in the body. It is able to monitor and respond to changes in the body and control every organ either directly or indirectly. Nerves are like the electrical wiring that carry signals to and from the brain. Most of these nerves emerge pass through the spinal cord and are known as the spinal nerves. However, there are 12 pairs of nerves that emerge directly from the brain and are therefore known as cranial nerves. Some of these nerves are sensory or motor only while others are mixed containing a combination of sensory and motor fibers.

continue reading Cranial Nerve Function, Testing and Disease Symptoms

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy is any disease or disorder of a nerve outside of the brain and spinal cord. It is also known as peripheral neuritis, although the word neuritis specifically refers to inflammation of the nerve and not all neuropathies are inflammatory in nature. Another common term for peripheral neuropathy is peripheral nerve disease. There are several different types of peripheral neuropathies that are classified according to the disease mechanism or cause of the nerve disease.

continue reading Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Disease) Symptoms, Causes, Types