Introduction:
The central nervous system (CNS) is the system within the body that is under scrutiny during this case. The CNS is split into two sections, the brain and spinal cord and these two separate sections are made up of white and gray matter (Silverthorn, 2013). White matter is made up of myelinated axons, allowing for fast transmission of nerve signals, while grey matter is unmyelinated nerve bodies (Silverthorn, 2007).
The specific part of the CNS that is of interest is the brain. The brain is arguably the most important part of the CNS, more important than the heart to the viability of the body. The importance to the body can be illustrated by the amount of blood that flows to the brain – 20% - compared to the weight of the organ – 2% body weight (source 4). The body has evolved to allocate resources to those areas that are important to the survival of the organism, the brain in the CNS being the most important of all.
Encephalitis is a term for diseases in which the brain swells, but which can also mean a swelling or reaction by any part of the CNS (Baker and Larsen, 1944). Many things could and do cause encephalitis from bacterial, viral or fungal infections to trauma induced to the brain which may be hard to diagnose and differentiate from (Khetsuriani et al, 2006). Fatal cases of encephalitis are found to be classified as an acute viral encephalitis in two thirds of cases (Johnson, 1996). Incidence of acute encephalitis has been reported in between
Encephalitis is a neurological disorder that results in the inflammation of the brain and sometimes the meninges. It is usually due to a viral infection. Most often arboviruses cause encephalitis, by transference via mosquitos to humans and animals. When bitten by an infected mosquito the virus moves from the mosquito into the person’s blood, it then reaches the brain and spinal cord, it multiplies within the central nervous system thus inflaming and damaging nerve cells, this interferes with signals from the brain to the rest of the body. The herpes simplex virus type one can commonly cause encephalitis. HIV has also been noted as an increasing cause of encephalitis. Viral infections like: mumps, chicken pox and measles can also cause encephalitis, but rarely.
Encephalitis which is an inflammation of the brain, caused by a virus. The post infectious encephalitis occurs as a complication of another infection, such as chicken pox, influenza or measles, or after a smallpox vaccination . The neurological disturbances causes seizers, personality change, irritability, lethargy, paralysis, weakness and coma may also occur. The inflammation involves the spinal cord and the brain.
One of the most important parts of your body is your central nervous system (CNS). It includes your spinal cord and your brain, and it is run by cells called neurons. These neurons, with the help of synapses, send electrical signals throughout the body.
Encephalitis literally means an inflammation of the brain, but it usually refers to brain inflammation caused by a virus. It may also be called “acute viral encephalitis or aseptic encephalitis';. Encephalitis is an infectious disease of the Central Nervous System characterized by pathologic changes in both the gray and white matter of the spinal cord and brain. It may be due to specific disease entity such as rabies or an arthropod-borne virus (arbovirus), or it may occur as a sequela of influenza, measles, German measles, chicken pox, herpes virus infection, small pox, vaccinia, or other diseases. The specific viruses involved may vary. Exposure can also occur through insect bites, food or drink, or skin
The central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system is the 2 main systems. The central nervous system is made up of the spinal cord and brain which is in the dorsal body cavity. It is the integrating and control center of the nervous system. Also the CNS helps with sensory input, dictates motor outputs based on reflexes and lastly past and current experiences.
crucial to understand the anatomy of a normal brain. The central nervous system consists of
Every behavior begins with biology. Our behaviors, as well as our thoughts and feelings, are produced by the actions of our brains, nerves, muscles, and glands. In this chapter we will begin our journey into the world of psychology by considering the biological makeup of the human being, including the most remarkable of human organs—the brain. We’ll consider the structure of the brain and also the methods that psychologists use to study the brain and to understand how it works.
The central nervous system consist of the brain and spinal cord. The brain plays a crucial role and is a significant function of the nervous system by using information from our senses to tell us what is going on around us, and how we should respond. Although, the brain has an essential purpose it is my belief that the spinal cord is the most important. It’s the center of many spinal reflexes, and can participate in reflex actions without checking with the brain. The spinal cord communicates with the brain it sends messages if damaged it can affect other body functions such as breathing, hormone release, body temperature, bowel and bladder, movement of food through the stomach and intestines. Messages, touch, transmitting pain movement, joints,
The action that is required for standing up is for the muscle to contract in the lower portion of the body from the gluteus maximum to the Gastrocnemius muscle.
The central nervous system (CNS) is part of the human body which includes the brain and spinal cord (Lewis, Heitkemper, Dirksen, & Bucher, 2014). The cells of the nervous system are known as neurons, which is protected and nourished by neuroglia (Lewis et al., 2014). The spinal cord includes ascending and descending tracts which controls sensory and muscle movements (Lewis et al., 2015)
Encephalitis is a condition caused by viruses which cause the brain to become inflamed. There are two types of encephalitis one is called primary because the viruses affect the brain itself. Secondary is the viruses travel from some other part of the body that has been affect to the brain. When the virus reaches the brain it begins to multiply causing inflammation. The brain’s white matter can be destroyed. This destruction causes cell death, hemorrhage and edema. The edema begins to compress the blood vessels this causes intracranial pressure (Mayo Clinic, 2011).
CNS. The CNS acts as the control center of the body by providing its processing, memory,
The disease I have chosen to explore is viral encephalitis. Encephalitis refers to brain inflammation (PDR, 2014, Diagnosis), which is rare but can be extremely dangerous (Mayo, 2014, Basics; University of Maryland, 2013, Introduction). Severe cases of encephalitis can lead to permanent damage and death (Mayo, 2014, Complications). Encephalitis can also be caused by bacteria and fungi, or develop as a result of a non-infectious cause, but encephalitis is usually caused by a virus (Mayo, 2014, Causes; PDR, 2014, Basics).
Famous astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson once said, “Everything we do, every thought we’ve ever had, is produced by the human brain. But exactly how it operates remains one of the biggest unsolved mysteries, and it seems the more we probe its secrets, the more surprises we find” (BrainyQuote). The brain is like a galaxy. There is general knowledge of the universe; however, new secrets of planets, moons, and stars are discovered on a daily basis. Similarly, scientists know the basic structure and functions of the brain, but new aspects of the brain are revealed everyday.
Encephalitis, also known as inflammation of the brain is a rare condition that causes an irritation, swelling of the brain and in most cases nerve damage. Viral and bacterial encephalitis can easily be mistaken as the flu with shocking long-term effects. In many cases, encephalitis does not last long and has a mild effect. “However, in some cases encephalitis can be life-threatening. About 10,000 to 20,000 cases of encephalitis are reported each year in the United States” (Ehrlich, 2014). There are two types of encephalitis that can infect the brain cells known as primary and secondary encephalitis. Primary encephalitis is when the viruses attack the brain through the blood stream and into the nerve cells; it is then grouped together and multiplies. After multiplying, it is spread throughout the brain. Secondary encephalitis is when the virus infects a person by first infecting the other tissues in the body and then attacks the brain. “Viruses that are transmitted from other tissues usually cause focal infection, meaning they produce extensive damage in only a small area of the brain” (Simon, 2014). Infants, children, and older adults are more likely to have severe cases because