Guide To Serious Nervous System Disorders

Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare condition in which the immune system attacks some of the nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord. The exact cause of this condition is currently unknown. However, it seems most cases begin in the days or weeks that follow a viral infection of the respiratory or gastrointestinal systems. Surgery may trigger this syndrome in certain patients, and some cases may also develop after infection with the Zika virus. In mild cases, brief weakness might be the only symptom. Severe cases could result in paralysis. Other symptoms include swallowing and speaking difficulties, eye muscle weakness, coordination problems, and bladder control issues. Pain could develop, and it is typically more severe at night. Patients might notice pins and needles sensations in the hands or feet, and heart rate and blood pressure abnormalities could develop. Symptoms may increase in severity over hours or weeks. The condition could progress so much that the patient is unable to use certain muscle groups and becomes paralyzed.

To diagnose this syndrome, doctors will start by performing a physical examination that includes checking the patient's reflexes. Guillain-Barre syndrome patients often have absent reflexes in the arms, and reflexes in the knees could also be absent. Nerve conduction tests and lumbar punctures help confirm the diagnosis. Patients with this syndrome are typically treated in the intensive care unit at the hospital. They may receive plasma exchange or high-dose immunoglobulin therapy. These treatments are most effective if they begin within two weeks of symptom onset. After being discharged from the hospital, most patients are transferred to a rehabilitation unit to receive physical and occupational therapy.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

A subarachnoid hemorrhage develops when there is bleeding in the subarachnoid space. This is the area between the brain and the surrounding membrane. The hemorrhage has a sudden onset. The first symptom is usually a severe headache that may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. Patients experiencing this hemorrhage might briefly lose consciousness. In some cases, patients may feel a popping sensation in their head just before the hemorrhage begins. Seizures, confusion, and numbness throughout the entire body could occur after this.

Serious head injuries such as falls and injuries from car accidents could lead to a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Blood thinners or an underlying medical condition such as an arteriovenous malformation can also cause this condition. This condition is considered a medical emergency. At the hospital, doctors will perform a physical examination and take CT scans or MRI scans. A cerebral angiography test may be performed as well. Surgical procedures will be carried out to reduce the buildup of pressure in the brain and to stop the bleeding.