Question

1. Look for information on the following clinical conditions. Include: etiology, symptoms, pathophysiology, pathology, prognosis. Describe the most characteristic of these conditions. (36 points) Myasthenia gravis

Peripheral mononeuropathies

Peripheral polyneuropathies

Parkinson's disease

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis

Answer 1

Myasthenia gravis is is characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue of any of the muscles under your voluntary control. It's caused by a breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and muscles.The most commonly affected muscles are those of the eyes, face, and swallowing

Etiology : MG occurs when the immune system makes antibodies that destroy the ACh receptor (AChR), a docking site for the nerve chemical acetylcholine (ACh).because of which muscles become weak

The pathophysiology of MG involves autoantibodies directed against postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors (AchR), thereby impairing neuromuscular transmission.

Symptoms In about 15% of people with myasthenia gravis, the first symptoms involve face and throat muscles, which can: affect chewing, impaired speaking, difficulty in swaloowing, Muscle weakness worsens throughout the day with increased activity and improves after rest. it can also cause, Drooping of one or both eyelids (ptosis),Double vision (diplopia), ete.

Prognosis : There's no cure for myasthenia gravis, but treatment can help relieve signs and symptoms, such as weakness of arm or leg muscles, double vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulties with speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing.

B) Peripheral mononeuropathy is a nerve related disease where a single nerve, that is used to transport messages from the brain to the peripheral body, is diseased or damaged.

Etiology : There are many causes of peripheral neuropathy, including diabetes, chemo-induced neuropathy, hereditary disorders, inflammatory infections, auto-immune diseases, protein abnormalities, exposure to toxic chemicals

Symptoms : Gradual onset of numbness, prickling or tingling in your feet or hands, which can spread upward into your legs and arms. Sharp, jabbing, throbbing or burning pain.Extreme sensitivity to touch

The pathology of peripheral neuropathy follows three basic patterns: Wallerian degeneration, distal axonopathy, and segmental demyelination

Prognosis  The outlook for peripheral neuropathy varies, depending on the underlying cause, and which nerves have been damaged. Some cases may improve with time if the underlying cause is treated, but in others, the damage may be permanent or gradually worse with time.

C) Parkinsons disease, is a brain disorder that leads to shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with walking, balance, and coordination.

Etiology, Nerve cell damage in the brain causes dopamine levels to drop, leading to the symptoms of Parkinson's.

Symptoms, Parkinson's often starts with a tremor in one hand, tremor: can occur at rest, in the hands, limbs, or can be postural, difficulty speaking, soft speech, or voice box spasms, other symtoms include  constipation, depression, difficulty swallowing, drooling, falling, fear of falling

Pathophysilogy : Degeneration of dopamine neurons is particularly evident in a part of the substantia nigra called the pars compacta. Significantly, the loss of dopamine in the pars compacta increases the overall excitatory drive in the basal ganglia, disrupting voluntary motor control and causing the characteristic symptoms of parkinsons disease

Prognosis Parkinson's disease itself is not a fatal disease, and the average life expectancy is similar to that of people without the disease. Secondary complications, such as pneumonia, falling-related injuries, and choking can lead to death.

Amyotrophic lateral disease also called Lou Gherigs disease,  is a disease that causes the death of neurons controlling voluntary muscles.

Etiology, It is unclear exactly what causes ALS. There are different types, according to their signs and symptoms and whether or not there is a clear genetic association they are of two types, Sporadic ALS occurs randomly, and it accounts for 90 to 95 percent of cases the other one is Familial ALS is inherited. Around 5 to 10 percent of cases are familial

Symptoms:  difficulty speaking or vocal cord spasm,  muscle weakness, cramping, problems with coordination, stiff muscles, loss of muscle, muscle spasms, or overactive reflexes,  hard time holding your head up. hard time holding items with your hands, etc.

Pathophysology, it is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by death of pyramidal neurons in the motor cortex (upper motor neurons) and motor neurons in the brain stem and central spinal cord (lower motor neurons).

Prognosis, The outlook for ALS is poor, with most patients dying of it, typically from respiratory failure. Statistics show that half of those with ALS live at least three years after diagnosis, 25 percent at least five years after diagnosis.

E) Multiple sclerosis, is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). it causes demyelination of the brain and spinal cord nerve cells.

Etilogy : Exact reasons are unknown it, is a chronic inflammatory and demyelinating disease of autoimmune originate, this  malfunction destroys the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord

Symptoms, Multiple sclerosis causes many different symptoms, including vision loss, pain, fatigue and impaired coordination. The symptoms, severity and duration can vary from person to person. Some people may be symptom free for most of their lives, while others can have severe, chronic symptoms that never go away.Other common symptoms include, Blurry vision ,Colors appear dull,anxiety or mood swings,Speech: difficulty speaking or slurred speech,:erectile dysfunction or sexual dysfunction, also common: constipation, depression

pathophysilogy :  Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS in which activated immune cells invade the central nervous system and cause inflammation, neurodegeneration, and tissue damage.

Prognosis, MS itself is rarely fatal, but complications may arise from severe MS, such as chest or bladder infections, or swallowing difficulties. The average life expectancy for people with MS is around 5 to 10 years lower than average, a