Diseases 

Bell's Palsy

Description: A form of Neuritis that involves paralysis of the facial nerve causing weakness of the muscles of one side of the face and an inability to close the eye.

Cause: Unknown (Recovery may occur spontaneously.)

Effects: Paralysis of the facial nerve; weakness of the muscles of one side of the face. In some cases, the patient's hearing may be affected to the point where the patient believes most sounds are abnormally loud.

Cerebral Palsy

Description: A nonprogessive disorder of movement resulting from damage to the brain before, during or immediately after birth.

Cause: It is often associated with neurological and mental problems. There are many causes including birth injury, hypoxia, hypoglycaemia, jaundice and infection.

Effects: The most common disability is a spastic paralysis. Sensation is often affected, leading to a lack of balance, and intelligence, posture and speech are frequently impaired. 


Motor Neurone Disease

(Also known as A.L.S)

Description: A progressive degenerative disease of the motor system occuring in middle age and causing weakness and wasting.

Cause: Some forms of Motor Neurone disease is inherited.

Effects: Motor Neurone disease primarily affects the cells of the anterior horn of the spinal cord, the motor nuclei in the brainstem, and the corticospinal fibers.

Parkinson's Disease

Description: Degenerative disease process (associated with aging) that affects the basil ganglia of the brain.

Cause: Associated with a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Effects: The most common symptom is tremor, which often affects one hand, spreading first to the leg on the same side, then to the other limb. It is most profound in resting limbs, interfering with such actions as holding a cup. A patient will usually have a expressionless face, an unmodulated face, an increasing tendency to stoop, and a shuffling walk.

Epilepsy

Description: A neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Cause: Some causes of Epilepsy could be low oxygen during birth, brain tumors, head injuries during birth or from childhood, infections such as meningitis and heavy alcohol use.

Effects: Abnormal electrical discharges from brain cells that cause seizures.