Term Definition
Bell's Palsy A form of Neuritis that involves paralysis of the facial Unknown.
nerve causing weakness of the muscles of one side (Recovery may occur spontaneously.)
of the face and an inability to close the eye.
Cerebral Palsy A non-progressive disorder of movement resulting
from damage to the brain before, during, or
immediately after birth.
Motor Neurone Disease A progressive degenerative disease of the motor
system occurring in middle age and causing muscle
weakness and wasting.
Multiple Sclerosis A chronic disease of the nervous system that can
affect young and middle-aged adults.
The course of this illness usually involves recurrent
relapses followed by remissions, but some patients
experience a chronic progressive course.
Cause Effect
Paralysis of the facial nerve;
weakness of the muscles of one side of the face;
may result in inability to close the eye.
(In some cases the patient's hearing may also be
affected in such a way that sounds seem to him/her
to be abnormally loud. Loss of taste sensation may
also occur.)
Cerebral Palsy is attributed to damage to the brain, The most common disability is a spastic paralysis.
generally occurs before, during, or immediately after Sensation is often affected, leading to a lack of
birth. balance, and intelligence, posture and speech are
frequently impaired. Contractures of the limbs may
It is often associated with other neurological and cause fixed abnormalities.
mental problems. There are many causes including Other associated features include epilepsy, visual
birth injury, hypoxia, hypoglycaemia, jaundice and impairment, squint, reduced hearing, and
infection. behavioural problems.
Some forms of Motor Neurone Disease are Motor Neurone disease primarily affects the cells of
inherited. the anterior horn of the spinal cord, the motor nuclei
in the brainstem, and the corticospinal fibers
The myelin sheaths surrounding nerves in the brain Multiple Sclerosis affects different parts of the brain
and spinal cord are damaged, which affects the and spinal cord, resulting in typically scattered
function of the nerves involved. symptoms.
These can include:

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
(ME)
A condition characterized by extreme
disabling fatigue that has lasted for at least six
months, is made worse by physical or mental
exertion, does not resolve with bed rest, and cannot
be attributed to other disorders.
Neuralgia
Neuritis A disease of the peripheral nerves showing the
pathological changes of inflammation.
The underlying cause of the nerve damage remains
unknown. Unsteady gait and shaky movement of the limbs
(ataxia);
Rapid involuntary movements of the eyes
(nystagmus);
Defects in speech pronunciation (dysarthria);
Spastic weakness and retrobulbar neuritis (=
inflammation of the optic nerve).
Unknown.
Extreme disabling fatigue that has lasted for at
Often occurs as a sequel to such viral infections as least six months, is made worse by physical or
glandular fever. mental exertion, does not resolve with bed rest,
and cannot be attributed to other disorders.
The fatigue is accompanied by at least some of the
following:
Muscle pain or weakness;
Poor co-ordination;
Joint pain;
Sore throat;
Slight fever;
Painful lymph nodes in the neck and armpits;
Depression;
Inability to concentrate;
General malaise.
Maybe due to previous attack of shingles (Post- A severe burning or stabbing pain often following
therapeutic Neuralgia). the course of a nerve.
Inflammation of the nerves, which may be painful.
 (This term may also be less precisely used to refer
to any disease of the peripheral nerves, usually
causing weakness and numbness.)

Parkinson's Disease Degenerative disease process (associated with Associated with a deficiency of the neurotransmitter Tremor, rigidity and poverty of spontaneous
aging) that affects the basal ganglia of the brain. dopamine. movements.

Also associated with aging. The commonest symptom is tremor, which often
affects one hand, spreading first to the leg on the
same side then to the other limbs. It is most
profound in resting limbs, interfering with such
actions as holding a cup.

The patient has an expressionless face, an

Sciatica A common condition arising from compression of, or Usually caused by degeneration of an intervertebral
damage to, a nerve or nerve root. disc, which protrudes laterally to compress a lower
lumbar or an upper sacral spinal nerve root. The
onset may be sudden, brought on by an awkward
lifting or twisting movement.
unmodulated voice, an increasing tendency to
stoop, and a shuffling walk.
Pain felt down the back and outer side of the thigh,
leg, and foot. The back is stiff and painful. There
may be numbness and weakness in the leg.