Neurological illnesses or disorders affect the brain, spinal cord, and other nerves found throughout your body. Such disorders can stem from structural, biochemical, or electrical abnormalities in the spinal cord, brain, and other nerves. As such, one may experience various symptoms, including muscle weakness, loss of sensation, poor coordination, confusion, pain, altered levels of consciousness, seizures, and paralysis. There are several types of neurological disabilities; mild and temporary, while others are more severe and may require ongoing Oxnard neurocritical care. Below are examples of conditions that may require neurocritical care.
Cerebral hemorrhage
A brain bleed or cerebral hemorrhage occurs when an artery in the brain bursts, causing localized bleeding in surrounding tissues, which kills brain cells. Bleeding in the brain can be caused by head trauma, high blood pressure, blood vessel abnormalities, aneurysm, liver disease, brain tumors, or bleeding disorders. The symptoms of cerebral hemorrhage can vary depending on the location of the bleeding, its severity, and the amount of tissue affected. Symptoms tend to occur suddenly and worsen over time. Because bleeding in the brain is life-threatening, you should seek emergency help if you exhibit symptoms such as sudden severe headache, seizures, weakness in your limbs, nausea, vomiting, vision changes, decreased alertness, difficulty speaking, and loss of coordination.
Brain tumor
A brain tumor is the growth of cells in the brain tissue or nearby locations, including nerves, the pineal gland, the pituitary gland, and membranes covering the brain surface. Tumors that begin in the brain are called primary tumors, and those that spread to the brain from other parts of the body are called secondary or metastatic brain tumors. There are different types of brain tumors based on the type of cells that make up the growth. Cancerous brain tumors tend to develop rapidly; they cause sudden symptoms that progressively worsen in days or weeks. On the other hand, benign or noncancerous tumors develop slowly and might cause subtle symptoms you don’t notice at first.
Cerebral edema
Cerebral edema or brain swelling is a life-threatening condition that causes fluid to develop in your brain, increasing intracranial pressure. Increased pressure inside the skull can reduce blood flow to the brain; this limits the amount of oxygen your brain receives. For optimal function, your brain requires an uninterrupted flow of oxygen. The swelling can occur throughout the brain or in certain areas and can be very difficult to treat. Some symptoms that could indicate brain swelling after an injury or infection include headache, nausea, dizziness, lack of coordination, and numbness. More severe cases of brain swelling might cause memory loss, mood changes, difficulty speaking, incontinence, seizures, and weakness.
Meningitis
Meningitis is a condition where the meninges or protective membranes of the brain and the spinal cord become inflamed. Viruses cause most cases of meningitis in the United States, but there are other causes, including bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Meningitis caused by a viral infection is serious but often less severe than bacterial meningitis; many people with viral meningitis tend to get better on their own. Classic symptoms of meningitis include headache, a stiff neck, and fever.
If you have questions about neurocritical care, consult your specialist at Link Neuroscience Institute.
