Neurological Outpatient Care

Abstract

The field of neurology encompasses a great variety of diseases and injuries which can afflict any part of the central nervous system (CNS) or peripheral nervous system (PNS). It includes not only genetic diseases such as muscular dystrophy (MD) and some forms of cerebral palsy (CP), but also illnesses with unknown origin and gradual onset such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Par kinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other degenerative diseases such as cerebellar atrophy. Tumors can also have an insidious onset and can cause severe neurological deficits. Other neurological conditions appear suddenly, triggered by an internal event, for example, a stroke caused by an embolus, hemorrhage, or ischemic event. Neurological problems can also arise as a consequence of infection or autoimmune reaction. Guillain-Barré syndrome expresses itself in the PNS, while metabolic diseases such as alcoholism can affect the basal ganglia, and metastasis from cancer can cause great damage to the brain or spinal cord. Injuries to the CNS or PNS can stem from external events and result in traumatic brain injury and/or spinal cord injury. Frequently these are the consequence of gun shots, stab wounds, or accidents. Complications at birth can cause CNS or PNS injuries (e.g., CP and Erb’s palsy).