absence seizure
epileptic seizure that lats only a few seconds. Loss of awareness and absence of activity. AKA petite mal sezure
analgesia
absence of pain
aura
sensations such as seeing colors or smelling unusual odor that occur just before epileptic seizure or migrane
cephalagia
headache
coma
unconsciousness resulting from illness or injury
convulsion
severe involuntary muscle contractions and relaxations. variety or causes such as epilepsy, fever, toxic conditions
delirium
abnormal mental state characterized by confusion, disorientation, and agitation
dementia
progressive impairment of intellectual function that interferes with daily life. Little awareness of condition.
dysphasia
difficulty communicating verbally or in writing due to damage in brain
focal seizure
localized seizure often affecting one limb
hemiparesis
weakness or loss of motion on one side of body
monoplegia
paralysis of one limb
paraplegia
paralysis of lower portion of body and both legs
palsy
temporary or permanent loss of ability to control movement
paralysis
temporary or permanent loss of function of voluntary movement
paresthesia
abnormal sensation such as burning or tingling
seizure
sudden, uncontrollable onset of symptoms, such as epileptic seizure
syncope
fainting
tonic-clonic seizure
severe epileptic seizure characterized by loss of consciousness and convulsions. alternates between strong continuous muscle spasms (tonic) and rhythmic muscle contraction and relaxation (clonic). AKA grand mal seizure
tremor
involuntary repetitive alternating movement of part of body
unconscious
state of being unaware of surroundings and inability to respond to stimuli
Alzheimers disease
chronic, organic mental disorder consisting of dementia. More prevalent in adults over age 65
brain tumor
intracranial mass, either benign or malignant. benign tumor can cause pressure and then death.
cerebral aneurysm
localized abnormal dilation of blood vessel, usually an artery. congenital or weakness in wall of vessel
cerebral contusion
bruising of brain from blow or impact
cerebral palsy
brain damage resulting from defect, trauma, infection, or lack of oxygen, before, during, or after birth. AKA CP
cerebrovascular accident
development of infarct due to loss in blood supply to area of brain. commonly called stroke (CVA)
concussion
injury to brain resulting from brain being shaken inside skull due to impact. symptoms: headache, blurred vision, nausea, dizziness, and balance problems. AKA mild traumatic brain injury (TBI)
epilepsy
recurrent disorder of brain in which seizures and loss of consciousness occur as a result of uncontrolled electrical activity of brain
hydrocephalus
accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within ventricles of brain. causes head to be enlarged. can lead to seizures and mental retardation
migrane
headache characterized by severe head pain, sensitivity to light, dizziness, and nausea
Parkinson's disease
chronic disorder of the nervous system with fine tremors, muscular weakness, rigidity, and shuffling gait
transient ischemic attack
temporary interference with blood supply to brain causing dizziness, numbness, and hemiparesis. can lead to stroke (TIA)
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
disease with muscular weakness and atrophy due to degeneration of motor neurons of spinal cord. AKA Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS)
myelomeningocele
congenital condition in which meninges and spinal cord protrude through an opening in the vertebral coluumn
spina bifida
congenital defect in the walls of the spinal canal which do not meet or close.
spinal cord injury
damage to spinal cord as a result of trauma. can be bruised or completely severed
Bell's Palsy
One sided facial paralysis due to inflammation of facial nerve. most patients recover (viral)
Guillain-Barre syndrome
disease of nervous system in which nerves lose their myelin covering.
multiple sclerosis
inflammatory disease of central nervous system in which there is extreme weakness and numbness due to loss of myelin insulation from nerves (MS)
myasthenia gravis
disease with severe muscular weakness and fatigue due to insufficient neurotransmitter at synapse
shingles
eruption of painful blisters on body along nerve path. thought to be caused by Herpes zoster virus infection of nerve root
epidural hematoma
mass of blood in space outside dura mater of brain and spinal cord
meningioma
tumor in meninges
cerebral angiography
x-ray of blood vessels of brain after injection of radiopaque dye
myelogram
x-ray of spinal cord
positron emission tomography
image of brain produced by measuring gamma rays emitted from brain after injecting glucose tagged with positively charged isotopes. measures brain metabolism (PET)
lumbar puncture
puncture with needle into lumbar area (usu. fourth intervertebral space) to withdraw fluid for examination and fro injection of anethesia. AKA spinal puncture or spinal tap (LP)
nerve conduction velocity
test measuring speed of impulse travels along nerve. pinpoint area of nerve damage.
nerve block
injection of regional anesthetic to stop passage of sensory or pain impulses along nerve path
cerebrospinal fluid shunts
bypass created to drain cerebrospinal fluid. diverts from brain to abdominal cavity
analgesic
medication to treat minor to moderate pain without loss of consciousness
hypnotic
drug that promotes sleep
sedative
drug that has relaxing or calming effect