MEDICAL

Epilepsy - psychoneurological a chronic disease characterized by a tendency to recurrent sudden seizures. Seizures are of various types, but the basis of any of them is very high and abnormal electrical activity of nerve cells of the brain, which occurs as a result of the discharge.

In this case there are three possible outcomes: 1) level may stop within the boundaries of its occurrence, and 2) it may spread to neighboring regions of the brain and cease to be resisted, and 3) it may spread to the entire nervous system and then stop. Seizures arising in the first two cases, referred to as partial, in the latter case, however, speak of generalized fit. In generalized seizures consciousness is always broken, whereas in the partial, it is sometimes lost and sometimes persists. To indicate the seizures are often also use the terms "convulsions," fits "," episodes ".

Epilepsy has been known since ancient times. Epileptic seizures were observed in many prominent people, such as the Apostle Paul and Buddha, Julius Caesar and Napoleon, Handel and Dante, Van Gogh and Nobel.

Prevalence of epilepsy

The true number of patients with epilepsy is difficult to ascertain because many patients are unaware of their disease or conceal it. In the U.S., according to recent studies, suffer from epilepsy for at least 4 million people, and its prevalence reaches 15-20 cases per 1000 people. In addition, approximately 50 out of 1000 children at least once celebrated a fit at higher temperatures. In other countries, these figures probably about the same as the incidence does not depend on gender, race, socio-economic status or place of residence. Radical treatment of epilepsy does not exist, but currently using of drugs can halt seizures in 60-80% of cases. The disease rarely causes death or serious violation of physical condition or mental abilities of the patient.

Epilepsy is classified by its origin and type of seizures. By origin distinguish two main types:

Approximately 50-75% of cases there is idiopathic epilepsy.

For diagnosis is very important electroencephalogram (EEG), which allows to identify the pathological brain electrical activity, and to determine the localization of the focus of this activity (epileptic focus) and the extent of its spread. However, not all patients with EEG is altered so that its normal pattern does not exclude epilepsy.

It is important to accurately establish the type of attack, as it affects the treatment. Some patients have seizures of different types, which requires a combination of medicines. Every man, suffered a seizure, should always consult a doctor.

Causes of epilepsy

Although seizures can occur in many diseases and, thus, may be associated with them, the true cause of epilepsy is unknown. Studies show that the disease occurs when a particular area of the brain damaged, but not completely destroyed. It affected, but preserved the viability of the cells are the source of abnormal discharges, and, consequently, the seizures. Sometimes during an attack, a new brain damage, near or far away from the old one. It formed additional epileptic foci.

It is still unknown why the same disease in one patient is accompanied by seizures, and another – no. Even more puzzling by the fact that some people who have had a fit, he will no longer be repeated, while others occur frequently repeated seizures. Importance is likely to have a genetic predisposition, but the type of inheritance is not clearly established. It seems that epilepsy causes a combination of hereditary and environmental factors, including an illness.

Types of seizures

Large (generalized) seizures. This type of seizures are traditionally mark the French term grand mal (that translates as a big attack). It is characterized by pronounced convulsions. Seizures are usually preceded by a prodromal period (the period of the precursors), lasts from several hours to several days. At this time there are irritability, irritability, loss of appetite or changes in behavior. Immediately before a seizure in some patients there is the aura – the state-precursor, whose manifestations range from repeated each time the nausea or muscle tremors to the feeling of inexpressible joy. At the beginning of a fit person may make grunting noises or cries. He loses consciousness, falls to the floor, his body tensed. Breathing slows down, the person becomes gray, bluish or pale.

Then there are jerks in the hands, legs or throughout the body. Pupils dilate, blood pressure rises, her face filled with blood, skin covered with sweat, his mouth salivate. Often there is an involuntary urine and feces. Возможен прикус языка или щек. Then the muscles relax, breathing becomes deeper, cramps subside. Consciousness returns through slumber. Drowsiness and confusion sometimes persist for days. Generalized seizures may occur in different ways: sometimes there is only one of the described phases, sometimes – another of their sequence.

Memories of generalized fit for it, sometimes the patient remembers only aura. Headache, confusion, pain, body pains and other symptoms may be associated with a fall during a seizure, a strong muscle spasms or bruises because of the involuntary movements. Seizures generally last from several seconds to several minutes and go spontaneously.

Febrile seizures are usually a type of generalized seizure and occur in children at high temperature, usually between the ages of 6 months to 4 years. Many of these children have relatives who suffered in childhood, such as seizures. Since in most cases there are one or two such episodes, which will no longer develop into true epilepsy, some experts do not consider febrile seizures to epilepsy.

Focal (partial) seizures. They involved a sort of one part of the body, seizures may be motor or sensory and manifest convulsions, paralysis or pathological sensations. The term "Jacksonian epilepsy" refers to seizures, a tendency to move ( "march") from one body part to another, sometimes in a fit generalizes and extends to the whole body. After a seizure in her limbs to a day may be retained weakness (paresis). The appearance of the aura, loss of consciousness and drowsiness after a fit is not always observed. With this type of seizure often, especially in adults, identify organic brain disease, so patients should as soon as possible to seek medical help.

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Encephalopathy - a comprehensive term used to refer to various non-inflammatory processes in the etiology, structurally or functionally affect the brain.

There are both congenital and acquired encephalopathy. Congenital forms imply the emergence of the disease in the perinatal period, beginning at 28 weeks of gestation and ending at the end of the first week of life. Pathological changes may be caused by fetal anoxia, birth trauma, among other risk factors distinguished:

A professional in this case can make a diagnosis of encephalopathy during the first month of life, and to recommend appropriate therapeutic measures in order to reduce or eliminate the risk of complications, which include both minimal brain dysfunction, and severe disorders (epilepsy, cerebral palsy etc.).

Acquired encephalopathy may occur in later life as a consequence of an infectious disease, intoxication, various structural and functional changes in cerebral vessels, his tumors, trauma, etc. Typically, the disease is different symptomatic, but you can identify a number of manifestations that indirectly indicate the presence of a pathological process:

If the poisoning was the cause of encephalopathy (alcohol or other toxic substances), the disease can be characterized as an acute course, with the emergence of specific psychoses and chronic progressive destruction. In any case, regardless of etiology and form, the disease requires a professional consultation and the appointment of adequate specific situation of treatment.

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Tinnitus - hearing sensations that occur without the participation of sound vibrations of the environment. There are physiological and pathological noise in the ears. Physiological noise occurs in a healthy person in complete silence.

Pathological noise arises in the presence of any abnormalities, it can be both objective and subjective. Objective pathological noise is different from the subjective view that he hears not only the patient but the physician using phonendoscope. An objective noise is rare and is usually caused by muscle contractions of the pharynx, eustachian tube, changes in blood flow in vessels (eg, with their pathological narrowing or expanding), pathology, temporomandibular joint, the pressure changes in the tympanic cavity.

Subjective abnormal noise heard only by the patient. Noise in this case is a sign of pathology of the middle and inner ear, but may also occur in diseases of other organs and systems (hypertension, lowering the pressure, atherosclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, inflammatory diseases and brain tumors, etc.). Most noise in the ears with Meniere’s disease occurs, otosclerosis, neuritis of the auditory nerve, some forms of otitis. The mechanism of abnormal noise in the ears associated with violations zvukoprovedeniya, as well as irritation of the nerve cells of the auditory analyzer.

For the diagnosis and establish the exact causes of the noise spend audimetriyu – studies using electronic equipment of the frequency spectrum and intensity of noise. Thus, for violations of conductive system is characterized by low noise tonality. High-frequency noise spectrum (in the form of bells, whistles) is usually observed in patients with lesions zvukovosprinimayuschego apparatus, ie with sensorineural hearing loss.

Should immediately contact a doctor at the first appearance of noise in the ears or change its character. The emergence of tinnitus during treatment with some antibiotics with ototoksicheskim action, or for persons working in conditions of noise and vibration, can be a harbinger of incipient neuritis of the auditory nerve. The one-sided noise in the ear is often the first sign of neurinomas preddverno-cochlear nerve. Increased noise and improving the tone for Meniere’s disease may be a harbinger of an acute attack of vestibular dysfunction.

In the treatment of tinnitus, along with medication is widely used reflexology, magnetic therapy, electrostimulation.

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Phenylketonuria - an inherited disease of fermentopathy associated with the violation of metabolism of amino acids, mainly phenylalanine. Accompanied by the accumulation of phenylalanine and its toxic products, which leads to severe CNS lesions, manifested in the form of impaired intellectual development.

The main symptoms of phenylketonuria

Within early childhood and include vomiting, peeling skin rash, irritability, and stuffy ( "Mouse"), body odor due to abnormal composition of urine and sweat. Symptoms of the central nervous system may be different, usually a compulsive movement poddergivaniya, convulsions. The most severe complication of the disease – mental retardation, which in the absence of treatment is practically inevitable.

Treatment of phenylketonuria

Treatment of this disease is reduced mainly to diet therapy. Since the confirmation of the diagnosis of phenylketonuria diet is introduced with a sharp restriction of the content of phenylalanine. Since this amino acid in large quantities is contained in the protein from the diet excludes all animal protein products. It’s meat, milk, fish, mushrooms.

The initial treatment kids get food, which is completely absent phenylalanine. As long and complete exclusion from the diet of phenylalanine can lead to the disintegration of the endogenous (self) protein and depletion of the child. Because the need for protein is compensated by protein hydrolysates or amino acid mixtures. Once the concentration of phenylalanine in the blood drops to normal, begin to gradually introduce products of animal origin. Child’s diet consists of vegetables, fruits, fat, carbohydrate products, with strict regard to their content of phenylalanine. Should ensure that this amino acid in the body in sufficient quantities for normal growth and development, but does not contribute to its accumulation in tissues.

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Multiple sclerosis - a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Struck by her guides, more precisely, their shell. As a result, it becomes impossible to conduct impulses within the central nervous system. This leads to the fact that violated basic human functions – movement, coordination, sensitivity and vision.

Multiple sclerosis suffers mostly young and middle-aged people. Unfortunately, the recent increase of the disease worldwide. Ukraine – not an exception, the prevalence of the disease, we also increases.

And the fact that the incidence is increasing among the young, working population, creates a problem for every civilized country, including to our own.

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis

One should consult a doctor if he has, for example, deteriorating vision (anomaly observed in one eye). In such cases oculists send patients to a neurologist for further examination.

You may also feel numbness or loss of feeling in a limb or the face. If this violation will be long – at least a week – also need to see a doctor and undergo appropriate examinations.

In some patients, onset may appear differently. For example, there is dizziness, vision becomes blurred – all seemed to jump in front of his eyes. This may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting. Such signs – too light to pass inspection.

Some patients note fatigue of limbs, usually legs. They complain that after a short run, or other small physical stress they have a desire to sit down and relax. It may also indicate irregularities in the central nervous system and requires a special survey.

Causes of MS

Today, it is believed that the disease develops at a combination of three main factors: viral, genetic (genetic predisposition) and geographical. There are certain regions of the globe, where multiple sclerosis is most common. Unfortunately, it applies to Ukraine. Especially western regions of the country.

Prevention of multiple sclerosis

Today we can talk about the so-called primary and secondary prevention. This is due to the fact that in our time the possibility of diagnosing multiple sclerosis have reached a very high level.

Back in 1970-1980-ies doctors could only watch for patients, evaluate the development and course of disease. And on the basis of this gradually became convinced that it is really multiple sclerosis.

Now there are methods that can look inside the central nervous system, to see what happens to the brain and spinal cord. This so-called neuroimaging. First of all, these are the various options for magnetic resonance imaging.

Thanks to this method is practically a revolution took place. Now you can see the changes available in the brain and spinal cord – pockets of damage that will occur in multiple sclerosis – even before it becomes apparent detailed clinical picture of disease.

So now, if the patient was concerned about one of the known symptoms of multiple sclerosis, the doctor sends him on an MRI scan. If detected lesions of the nervous system, doctors refer patients to the risk. In this case, carried out primary prevention activities.

First doctor advised such patients to lead a healthy lifestyle. This includes sequencing, and the normal distribution of loads (especially on the nervous system) and the rest. Necessary to exclude toxic effects on the nervous system – alcohol, smoking. Avoid getting enough sleep and overload – both physical and mental. Overheating of the sun also affects the course of the disease. In some cases, we recommend certain exercises. This allows the delay time, and possibly prevent the development of a bright clinical picture of multiple sclerosis.

But if the patient already has this diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct secondary prevention. She concluded, mainly in the prevention of exacerbations of the disease. That is, the challenge is that as long as possible to keep the patient in remission.

To do this, apply preventive medication therapy – immune response. They prevent the active development of the process.

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Polyneuropathy - the simultaneous failure of many peripheral nerves. This is manifested in the form of violations of motor and sensory functions of the hands and feet (mostly in the fingers, hands, feet). Characteristically, symptoms develop symmetrically on the hands and / or legs.

Polyneuropathy many reasons:

Symptoms include the following features:

It should be noted that the most frequently encountered forms of polyneuropathy, a complication of diabetes.

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Tic - sudden, abrupt, repetitive movements, which involve certain groups of muscles.

Causes nervous tic

Postponed or ongoing damage to the nervous system, even minor or postponed dozens of years ago, such as birth trauma, hypoxia (suffocation), head injury, meningitis, increased intracranial pressure, cerebral blood flow deficit;

Neurosis, depression, anxiety, fear, mental overload, over-developed anxiety, aggressive or depressive traits;

Stimulation of sensory receptors in the appearance of hyperkinesis, such as eye strain can provoke tic type of flashing, chronic inflammation of the tonsils (tonsillitis) – swallowing violent or forcible utterance of sounds and the like;

Genetic predisposition.

Varieties nervous tic

Classification of involvement muscle groups

1.  Mimic (facial);

2.  Vocal (with involvement of the vocal muscles);

3.  Tiki limbs.

As prevalence

1.  Local – with the involvement of one group of muscles;

2.  Generalized – with the involvement of several groups of muscles.

By complexity

1.  Simple – basic movements;

2.  Complex – complex complex movements,

Etiology

1.  Primary (psychogenic, nerve) – often debut in childhood. Sick more often boys. Provoking a psychotrauma. The flow of good quality, are alone. Duration from several weeks to several years.

2.  Secondary (symptomatic) – developed as a result of organic or dysmetabolic lesions of the brain (encephalitis, trauma, cerebrovascular accident, intoxication, disturbance of function of internal organs).

3.  Hereditary (de la Tourette’s syndrome).

The main symptoms of a nervous tic

He looks like a grotesque display of normal movement and varies in intensity. Distinctive feature of tics is their compelling nature. Any attempt to suppress the emergence of willpower teak inevitably leads to increased stress.

Treatment of nervous tic

Etiotropic therapy - therapy aimed at addressing the causes of the disease (with secondary ticks).

Symptomatic therapy - the use of drugs aimed at removing ticks. Frequently used antipsychotics (haloperidol) and Botox.

Psychotherapy - Behavioral therapy is aimed at developing confidence, withdrawal of anxiety and ability to control the symptom.

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Neuritis (Neuropathy) - inflammatory disease of the peripheral nerves, which, along with the pain symptoms are identified the so-called loss, ie, the loss or decrease in sensitivity, as well as paralysis and paresis.

Varieties neuritis

Several distinct types of neuritis, which differ for reasons of (alcoholic neuritis, diabetic neuritis), as well as the number and type of affected nerves (local neuritis, polyneuritis, plexitis, radiculitis)

Causes of neuritis

Local neuritis, which suffers from only one nerve, may be a consequence of trauma, local infection, arthritis or cancer. Causes of multiple neuritis (polyneuritis) are various external or internal factors. The external include alcoholism, lead poisoning, arsenic, carbon monoxide (carbon monoxide), ether, sulfur, phosphorus, mercury, antimony, bismuth, and other substances. The inland – pregnancy, diabetes, rheumatism, gout, porphyria, avitaminosis, infectious diseases (especially diphtheria, streptococcal infections and typhoid fever), and hereditary degenerative diseases.

The main symptoms of neuritis

Disease is manifested severe pains in the course of the nerve, weakness and atrophy (decrease in size) of the muscles that are innervated by the inflammation of a nerve, often observed changes in skin sensitivity to cold, heat, pain, touch, movements can be observed violations.

Treatment of neuritis

Therapy of underlying disease, antibiotics, pain relievers and sedatives, B-vitamins, physiotherapy.

Prevention neuritis

Is to prevent injury, hypothermia, timely treatment of diseases such as sinusitis, otitis, pyelonephritis, osteomyelitis, etc.

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Neuralgia - a sharp, aching, burning or dull pain along the nerve, which arises paroxysmal. The cause of the disease neuralgia can be very nerve, nerve plexus, spinal diseases or pathological processes developing in the tissues and organs that lie near the nerve, resulting in injury, infection (influenza, etc.), sharp supercooling, etc. The most common neuralgia trigeminal, occipital and intercostal nerves.

Trigeminal neuralgia can occur as a complication of certain diseases or as an independent disease. Sometimes it occurs as a result of difficult dentition, hypothermia or infection, as well as a complication of pulpitis and periodontitis. Trigeminal nerve sends a clip in three parts: first to the forehead, the second to his cheek, nasal mucosa and the teeth of the upper jaw and the third to the lower jaw and its teeth. Usually neuralgia captures the region of one or two, sometimes all three branches of the trigeminal nerve. The attack begins suddenly and lasts from several minutes to several hours. The intensity of pain varies, but in all cases, the attacks are extremely painful.

They may provoke the slightest irritation of the skin, cooling, opening the mouth, chewing, coughing and so-called.

Neuralgia occipital nerve pain spread from the neck to neck, paroxysmal they expressed not as sharply as in trigeminal neuralgia. The appearance of pain usually associated with the movement of the neck. In most cases the cause of this neuralgia are diseases of the cervical spine or trauma of the occipital region, sometimes chilling.

In intercostal neuralgia shooting and burning pain occur along the intercostal space. The cause of the disease neuralgia often are the spine, and the trigger factors – hypothermia. It should be remembered that the true intercostal neuralgia is quite rare, and similar manifestations may be in some diseases of the heart, lungs and pleura. Often the pain, typical of intercostal neuralgia, is the first sign of herpes zoster. When pain along the intercostal space should consult your doctor. Due to the fact that among the multiple causes that lead to neuralgia may be inflammation, tumors, use of home remedies to alleviate the state is absolutely contraindicated.

In all cases of neuralgia treatment appoint a doctor. As a rule, it is complex (medications, physiotherapy procedures, etc.). In some cases, the trigeminal neuralgia appoint surgical methods of treatment.

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Myositis - a defeat of muscle fibers, often with chronic and leads to the formation of hard nodules within the muscle. Very often myositis affects broad back muscles, neck and shoulders, and sometimes the buttocks.

Varieties myositis

Cervical myositis, they suffer from almost every human being. In this disease there is dull muscle pain in the neck. She was "given" in the neck, shoulder girdle and between the shoulder blades. Sometimes dull pain can be felt in the ears, temples or forehead area. The mobility of cervical vertebrae in this disease usually remains normal, but may be limited because of – for pain when stretching certain groups of muscles or tendons.

Acute suppurative myositis occurs most frequently as a complication of purulent processes (eg, osteomyelitis), or pyosepticemia. Called by staphylococcus, streptococcus, pneumococcus, anaerobic microorganisms. In muscles having limited or widespread necrosis, abscesses, phlegmon. The clinical picture is characterized by severe local pain, increasing with movement or palpation of the muscles.

Infectious nonsuppurative myositis develops in acute and chronic infectious diseases (tifah, brucellosis, syphilis), as well as in viral infections – influenza, enteroviral diseases. The main manifestations (pain, muscle weakness) expressed significantly lower than in acute purulent myositis.

Myositis with autoimmune diseases - almost a mandatory component of the clinical picture.

Miozit with parasitic infections (trichinosis (Trichinosis), cysticercosis, hydatidosis, toxoplasmosis) is due to the development of reactive toxic – allergic changes in muscle in response to the introduction of various parasites.

A special form is the cavalry, in which progressive muscle weakness and atrophy of muscles combined with the deposition in connective tissue calcium compounds.

The main symptoms of myositis

The main symptom of myositis – a local muscle pain. It increases with pressure on the muscles or during movement, causing the affected muscle tension and limits the mobility of joints.Sometimes a sore spot may appear swelling or redness of the skin. Morbidity in the affected muscle with myositis increases not only at movement, but also at rest, at night, with a change of weather.

One of the main manifestations of myositis – increasing muscle weakness: the patient becomes difficult to get up from a chair, climbing stairs, wash, dress, hair.

In addition, myositis can progress, involving in the process of new muscle. This is especially dangerous when the cervical myositis, as inflammation can affect the muscles of the larynx, pharynx, esophagus. Because of this, difficult swallowing, there is a cough. If you are involved in the process of the respiratory muscles, there is shortness of breath. Gradually, even the muscles would atrophy.

Treatment of myositis

In the treatment of myositis requires a set of procedures designated physician in accordance with the specific case.

When myositis helpful dry heat, such as tying a woolen scarf. Effective physiotherapy procedures.

The most effective method of treatment myositis is massage the affected muscles. But to penetrate deep into the tight muscles can only be a professional masseur. At home, help stroking and rubbing the muscles with the use of diluted water and heated essential oil of eucalyptus, lavender or marjoram.

Prevention myositis

For the prevention of the disease should be: there are a variety of healthy foods, lead sedentary lives, to avoid exorbitant loads and injuries.

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