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Unit 19: Biology Part 2 Page 78 of 137
do. It should not be a surprise,
then, that health problems
involving the nervous system can
have a big impact in the whole
body.
Encephalitis and Meningitis both
affect the CNS. Encephalitis can
cause swelling of the brain as the Figure 64 – Illustrations like
body tries to fight off a virus. The this one remind parents not to
problem is that the brain has no treat viral infections with
room to swell or expand, and aspirin, because of the
pushes against the skull. This can possibility of Reye’s Syndrome.
cause brain injury or death. In
meningitis, the membranes that Other nervous system diseases
cover the brain and spinal cord include cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
become infected. If the infection is Cerebral palsy occurs when the
caused by a virus, it usually will developing brain is injured around
clear up on its own. If it is caused the time of birth. In mild cases,
by bacteria, it is much more people with cerebral palsy may just
serious and should be dealt with have weak muscles. In more
immediately using an antibiotic. serious cases, they may have
trouble walking or talking.
One additional disease of the CNS
that affects young people is Reye’s Epilepsy is a disease in which
Syndrome. This rare but serious people may have a seizure.
disease occurs when young people Seizures are periods of time when
take aspirin to treat a viral people lose consciousness, and
infection. Reye’s Syndrome causes sometimes include violent muscle
swelling of the brain, which can be movement. Epilepsy happens due
fatal. Many cold medicines contain to unusual electrical activity in the
aspirin, so it is important to read brain.
labels carefully if you have a viral
infection.
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