Persistent nervous system problems

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Persistent nervous system problems

Persistent nervous system problems are often the result of diseases that cause a gradual loss of function (degenerative diseases) or toxic or metabolic problems. Tumor growth may cause gradual changes. Changes that occur with sudden problems, such as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), may not be obvious at first, but because the changes tend to progress in stages they may become more apparent over time. The changes tend to be long-lasting or permanent and require the person to learn new methods of coping with decreasing or altered abilities.

Many degenerative diseases of the nervous system have distinct symptoms. For example:

• Slowly progressing abnormalities of posture and movement occur with Parkinson's disease.
• Multiple sclerosis, an inflammatory disease, is known by its episodes of loss of function (neurological deficits) that occur again and again.
• Alzheimer's disease can cause progressive confusion that is not related to other nervous system problems. The nervous system may be very affected in the very late stages of Alzheimer's.

Exposure to toxic substances, such as lead, arsenic, or carbon monoxide, may cause peripheral nerve damage, muscle weakness, headache, and loss of consciousness.

Credits

Last updated:	December 28, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer