Neurological disorders and diseases refer to medical conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord and cranial nerves. There are twelve cranial nerves in the human body and they control vision, smell, eye movements, gag reflex, shoulder shrugs, facial expression and tongue movements. Sometimes, the central nervous system (brain and spinal) cord don't fully form. In other instances, an individual may have inherited a disease.
Chiari Malformation
The Mayo Clinic says that chiari malformation refers to a condition in which the brain matter invades the spinal canal. This causes the brain to move downward and excessive amounts of intracranial (within the skull) pressure results. Two common types of Chiari malformation exist: Type I and type 2. Type 1 occurs during adulthood while type 2 is the most common and presents at birth.
Manifestations of chiari malformation type 1 include neck pain, trouble walking, dizziness, blurry or double vision, slurred speech and numbness and tingling of the hands, says the Mayo Clinic. Other manifestations include chest pain, urinary incontinence and sleep apnea. Signs of chiari malformation type 2 include protrusion of the spinal tissue.
A surgical procedure called a posterior fossa craniectomy, or posterior fossa decompression, is used to relieve the pressure in the skull, says the Mayo Clinic. Here, surgeons remove a piece of bone from the back part of the skull to relieve the pressure. Infection and wound healing problems are complications of this type of surgery.
Asperger Syndrome
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) states that Asperger syndrome is a form of autism in which a child may experience language, communication and behavioral problems. Signs of Asperger syndrome include focusing on a certain object. For example, Asperger syndrome children may know all about certain objects such as cars and vacuum cleaners. In fact, Asperger syndrome sufferers are known as "little professors." These children are typically socially awkward as they have poor social skills and display eccentric and, sometimes, flamboyant behavior.
Unfortunately, the NINDS says that there is no one specific treatment for Asperger syndrome. However, social skills training can help the children interact appropriately with other children. Talk therapy, also known as cognitive behavioral therapy, can help these children handle their emotions. Other Asperger syndrome treatments include speech therapy and physical therapy.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome
The Mayo Clinic says that Guillain-Barre syndrome is a medical problem in which the immune system attacks the nerves in the body. Unfortunately, the exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome is unknown but it may be associated with lung or gastrointestinal infections.
Specific symptoms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome include low back pain, ascending paralysis (weakness that starts at your feet and moves up your body), tingling sensations, a slow heart rate and difficulty breathing. The Mayo Clinic says that immediate help must be sought when presenting with Guillain-Barre syndrome, as the disease can progressively worsen.
Plasmaphoresis and intravenous immunoglobulins are specific treatments for Guillain-Barre syndrome. The Mayo Clinic says that plasmaphoresis involves separating blood cells from the liquid component of blood (plasma). The plasma is removed from the body and the cells are returned to the body. Somehow, removing the plasma will remove certain antibodies (proteins) that are responsible for attacking the nerves. Intravenous immunoglobulin refers to injecting healthy antibodies into the body to overwhelm the attacking antibodies.
