Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

©2018 of 131 Polio can be categorized in two types: non-paralytic polio and paralytic polio. Non-paralytic polio does not cause paralysis in the infected person and symptoms last for a short duration of only about ten days. The main signs include fever, sore throat, headache, vomiting, meningitis, fatigue, weakness in muscles, fatigue, and stiffness and pain in the back, arms, and neck. Paralytic polio is the most serious part of the infection. It can affect the spinal cord and brainstem, which is known as spinal polio, bulbar polio, and bulbospinal polio respectively. The main symptoms of paralytic polio are loss of reflexes, severe ache and weakness in muscles, and loose and floppy limbs. Abscess An abscess is the formation of a tender mass of pinkish or reddish color. These are soft to the touch as they are filled with pus or debris. The abscess can be formed at any place on the body and are often very painful. Some of the common areas where abscess forms are the armpits, anus, vagina, base of the spine, gums, and groin. It can also take the form of a boil or furuncle when an abscess is formed around a hair follicle. Causes of abscesses are the obstruction of oil or sweat glands, inflammation of hair follicles, or punctures/mild breaks of the skin. In all these cases, germs settle under the skin or a gland, which causes the immune system of the body to respond. People with compromised immune systems are more likely to suffer from frequent abscess formation. Risk factors include chronic steroid therapy, chemotherapy, diabetes, cancer, sickle cell disease, AIDS, leukemia, peripheral vascular disorders, severe trauma, deep burns, ulcerative colitis, and alcohol or drug abuse. 6.5 Alterations in Neural Psychological Function Neuropsychological functions are the set of complex behaviors conducted by the brain, which include language, memory, visual perception, attention, and other skills. Diseases related to neuropsychological functioning are discussed below. Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease characterized by the destruction of memory and other relatedmental functions of the brain. It is a common brain disorder that leads to the loss of intellectual and social skills called dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is caused when cells of the brain degenerate and die such that the mental and memory function becomes weak. It is caused by the blend of genetic disorders and poor lifestyle and environmental factors, which affect the person over a period of time. With the rise in the destruction of brain cells, the brain shrinks significantly. It is caused by plaques; clumps of proteins, known as beta-amyloid, which interfere with the communication between brain cells; and tangles, which are threads of proteins that form abnormal tangles, obstructing the normal transmission system of the brain. Achieve Page 97

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