Write An Essay On Bell's Palsy

Stress has a huge impact on the immune system. The immune system is interconnected. For example the immune, nervous, and endocrine system is linked through specialized communication pathways involving hormones, neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and immune cell productions. Stress reactions can directly affect the various response systems and how they handle the neuroendocrine-products. This stress reaction directly affects the hypothalamus and pituitary peptides through the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system. Some of these stressors might be life events, anxiety, and excitements.

Stress And The Immune System The immune system is a very important part of our bodily functions as its main function is to protect the body against millions of antigens, which attack our cells and try to reproduce viruses and diseases. The immune system can protect the body in three different ways, in which are: 1. It creates a barrier that prevents the antigens from initially entering the body. 2.

There are many different types of cerebral palsy. “Types of cerebral palsy are classified by the type of movement problems caused by brain impairment, or by the parts of the body that are affected.” (Mecham, 1986)

The human body is made up of many organ systems that consist of organs and tissues of different anatomies and diverse nomenclature. These organs systems, organs and tissues are prone to thousands of diseases, and one of these diseases is cerebral palsy, which is a disease of the nervous system in simple terms. Research relating to cerebral palsy is carried out, whereby the disorder is described, along with its history, and how it affects the nervous system and the brain. The anatomy of the body systems involves with regard to this disorder, the effects of the disorder on these body systems and other body systems are also researched and discussed. Furthermore, the research focuses on the causes of cerebral palsy, its complications, signs, and symptoms, and the diagnosis of the disorder, along with its treatment and side effects of the treatment. A recap of the research focusing on prevention strategies, the anatomy and physiology of cerebral palsy and the nervous system is presented.

Most studies of the relationship between stress and the immune system have focussed on acute(i.e. short lived) stressors and have found a decrease in immune cell function.

Exposure to high levels of mercury or lead may also be a contributing factor, as well as prolonged hyperthermia and obesity. Hispanic women are at a greater risk for having a child born with this type of defect. Once a woman has had an anencephalic child, she has a 1 in 10 chance of having another baby with this birth defect.

According to National Institutes of Health, health complications arise when nerve chemicals and hormones that are released during a stress response persists for an extended period of time and take control over other body functions. Some of the disrupted systems include, the immune, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and reproductive systems (http://www.nimh.nih.gov). The immune system contains many cells that are responsible for protecting the body against viral, bacterial and fungal infections. A weakened immune system resulted by stress will contribute to the development of diseases. Additionally, the musculoskeletal system is also affected during a stress response. The muscle system generally tenses up for long period of time, resulting in tension headaches, migraines and further musculoskeletal conditions.

Cerebral Palsy can be described as a condition where life long problems affect movements and postural development due to lesions in an immature brain. These lesions are non-progressive, meaning that they will not get any worse. 3(p1-2) Physical and Neurological exams are required in order to diagnose this condition. A doctor will use a CT scan, MRI, or an ultrasound machine to verify brain damage. Many children diagnosed can also have sensory disabilities, cognitive disorders, convulsions, and communication and behavioral disorders. Spastic Diplegia gets its name because the children diagnosed have increased muscle tone that leads to spasticity. Spasticity can be defined as stiff or tight muscles and amplified reflexes. The exact cause of Spastic Diplegia still remains unknown. Besides damage to the part of the brain that controls movement, there are other possible reasons for a child to develop Spastic Diplegia. These reasons can vary from genetic abnormalities, congenital brain deformities, or if the mother has an infection or high fever while pregnant.

Affected individuals develop unilateral facial paralysis over one to three days with forehead involvement and no other neurologic abnormalities. Symptoms typically peak in the first week and then gradually resolve over three weeks to three months (Mayo Clinic Health Letter, 2009).Those who are at more of a risk to Bell’s palsy include pregnant women, those with diabetes, those with upper respiratory disorders, and mostly young, middle- aged, adults (Crisan & Laza, 2010). This illness is much less common in individuals 10 years or younger and individuals 60 years and above in age.

Premature infants are particularly susceptible to Cerebral Palsy, as are those who have a severe illness during the first few years of life. Physical trauma or severe dehydration, both of which can cause brain damage, may also result in Cerebral

The symptoms to bell's palsy are very straightforward. One morning you wake and you basically notice that half or all of your face is partially or completely paralyzed. So symptoms include not being able to blink, not being able to fully contract your facial muscles that includes smiling and facial expressions.

According to National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (2003), approximately 40,000 of the United States population of equal gender and various ages suffer from Bells Palsy. Bells Palsy is derived after a Scottish specialist named Charles Bell in the 19th century who researched on the nerves and the defined the common cause of facial paralysis with reference to the 7th cranial nerve. It has been exhibited in the research that when the function of the nerve is interrupted, the messages that the brain sends to the facial muscles thereby are not received. Hence, resulting to have the face grow weaker and be paralyzed (NIH. 2003). Similar research also corroborated the source that Bells Palsy is a peripheral affectation of the

Research is also being done to help with the curing of Bell’s Palsy. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) performs extensive research in order to better the understanding of how the nervous system works and what causes dysfunction in the nervous system. Some of this research entails learning more about what causes nerve damage and certain diseases and conditions that cause nerve damage. Information gained from this research can aid neurologists to find the cause of Bell’s Palsy, which would obviously lead to better treatments (NINDS, 2011).

The term cerebral refers to the brain and palsy describes any disorder that impairs control over body movement. Cerebral Palsy is caused by damage to the brain before, during, or after birth. Therefore, this disorder is not caused by a problem in the nerves or muscles. Sadly, there is no cure for cerebral palsy but advances in technology have really made an impact on how to manage it. It is best to seek early intervention if you notice any type of developmental delay from your child to later improve their quality of life.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is brain damage. It cannot be cured, it is not contagious, it is not a disease, and it does not get worse. According to Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, "Cerebral Palsy is a broad term for various nonprogressive disorders of motor function in people, resulting from brain damage around the time of birth. Damage to the brain could occur before, during, or shortly after birth"(“Cerebral”). Since the damage is done during the brain’s formation, and occurs in the part of the brain that controls motor and muscle functions, people with CP might have problems with motor skills, muscle tone, muscle weakness, reflexes, balance, excessive drooling, difficulties swallowing or speaking, shaking, tremors, and