Bell's Palsy

What is Bell's Palsy?

Bell's Palsy is a disorder of the 7th cranial nerve(facial nerve). The nerve suffers damage in the way of becoming swollen, inflammed, or compressed. The swelling and inflammation causes compression of the nerve against the bony tube(Fallopian canal) in which the nerve lies. The exact cause of the damage is not fully known, but scientists believe that it maybe linked to viral meningitis and the common cold sore virus(Herpes Simplex). They think the swelling and inflamation of the facial nerve is a reaction to the initial infection the patient is displaying. This swelling and inflammation in turn causes pressure on the nerve itself which leads to insufficient blood flow and oxygen supply to the nerve leading to death of the nerve cells.

Due to this swelling and inflammation of the facial nerve there is a disruption in the nerve's ability to function properly. Considering that this nerve controls facial muscles and a portion of the tongue's ability to taste, patients will complain of an inibility to taste their food. Usually one side of their face will appear drooping. It is not very common to see the face affected bilaterally with this disorder. The facial paralysis also occurs because of the nerve's inability to relay messages to the brain in order to control the facial muscles.

Reference

Office of Communications and Public Liason. (2009, Dec. 18). Bell's Palsy Fact Sheet. Retrieved from www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/bells/detail_bells.htm

Alzheimer's Disease

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disorder that involves a deterioration of brain cells and the gradual loss of many normal brain functions. Memory loss can be considered one of the initial warning signs or cues that present the onset of this disorder. Memory loss is quite normal for most aging indivduals but with Alzheimer's disease memory loss goes beyond just the occasional missing car keys. As the disease progresses many other symptoms like the inibility to complete familar everyday tasks, problems with language (unable to find the right words when speaking), disorientation, mood and personality changes, and the inability to think abstractly begin to present themselves. The disease in its late stages causes brain cells to die and as a result body systems begin to fail.

What does Alzheimer's do physically to the brain?

There are two areas of the brain that are greatly affected by this disease and they are the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus. The cerebral cortex includes the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes of the brain. Each of these lobes are responsible for carrying out specific cognative functions of the brain. The other area that is affected is the hippocampus. The hippocampus is located within the temporal lobe of the brain and it is involved with converting short-term memory into long-term memory. Alzheimer's is resposible for the overall loss in brain mass and the shrinking of the brain in these particular areas which results in compromised memory loss and proper brain functioning.

Is there a cure?

At the present time there is no known cure for this disease. Research is being done to find a cure but for now the only thing out there for people who are diagnosed with this disease is medication therapy to treat their symptoms. The medications only help to diminish or slow down the process of the disease.

References

Segal, J., & Wayne, M. (2009). Alzheimer's Disease: Signs, Symptoms, and Stages ofAlzheimer's Disease. Retrieved February 1, 2010, from helpguide.org website: www.helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_disease_symptoms_stages.htm#stages

Swierzewski, S. (2007). Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's Overview, Brain Anatomy. Retrieved February 1, 2010, from neurologychannel.com website: www.neurologychannel.com/alzheimers/index.shtml#cere