After that, a person will usually pass through three stages of consciousness before finally becoming alert. Most comas after brain injury will last until the swelling goes down. When the brain stem sustains damage, the reticular activating system can be affected and result in a coma. The brain stem houses a network of neurons called the reticular activating system, which is responsible for states of consciousness and your ability to wake up. Here are some of the most common effects of brain stem damage: 1. Because every brain injury is different, brain stem injury survivors may experiences some, all, or none of the possible effects. Many of them affect basic life functions. Regardless of how brain stem damage occurs, there are various effects associated with this type of brain injury. You can also suffer brain stem damage after a brain stem stroke or diffuse axonal injury that tears the brain cells in the midbrain, pons, or medulla. Most injuries to the brain stem are the result of swelling in other areas of the brain as swelling forces the brain stem against the skull. Effects of Brain Stem Damageīrain stem damage is rare. The medulla oversees essential life functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and swallowing.īecause the brain stem is the link between the spinal cord and the rest of the brain, damage to the brain stem can also affect other functions besides the ones listed above. Medulla. Finally, at the bottom of the brain stem is the medulla.The pons acts as a bridge between the cerebellum and spinal cord and helps control your balance, among other things. Pons. Below the midbrain lies the pons.This structure plays a large role in muscle movement, particularly eye movement. Midbrain. At the top of the brain stem rests the midbrain.The brain stem is comprised of three distinct sections, which each section contributing to different functions: The brain stem is also responsible for critical functions that keep you alive and aware of your surroundings, making it one of the most important areas of the brain. It connects the brain and spinal cord, which transports messages via neural pathways throughout the body. The brain stem is located at the base of the skull directly above the spinal cord. Use the following links to jump ahead to certain sections: This article will cover everything you need to know about brain stem damage and how the recovery process works. Fortunately, it is often possible for a person with a brain stem injury to recover through rehabilitation. Some types of primary brainstem tumors include glioma, meningioma, and acoustic neuroma.When brain stem damage occurs, important basic life functions, like breathing, are impacted. Brain tumor: A primary brain tumor can develop in any region of the brain and cancer from elsewhere in the body can spread to the brain.The aneurysm can compress structures in the brainstem, may impair blood supply, or may cause severe effects if it bleeds. Brain aneurysm: A brain aneurysm can affect blood vessels in any location of the brain, including the blood vessels near the brainstem.Movement disorders: Several movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, are associated with dysfunction and degeneration of certain areas of the brainstem, such as the substantia nigra and the red nucleus.This can produce life-threatening effects, such as breathing impairment. Increased intracranial pressure: When there is swelling in the brain, such as due to a head trauma, a stroke, or an infection, it can place pressure on the brainstem, affecting its function.Multiple sclerosis (MS): The white matter of the brainstem can be affected by demyelination in MS, leading to symptoms that may be reversible, progressively worse over years, or permanent, depending on the type of MS.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |