26. The nervous system 1 PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

26. The nervous system 1

A	Sensory loss The central nervous system controls the sensory and motor functions of the body. Diseases of this system therefore lead to loss of some of these functions. Function Loss Other symptoms hearing deafness buzzing or ringing in the car (tinnitus) sight blindness double vision (diplopia) blurring (loss of visual acuity – clarity of vision) sensation (feeling) numbness (anaesthesia) tingling or pins and needles (paraesthesiae) balance unsteadiness (ataxia) dizziness (vertigo) Note: There are no common words for loss of, or conditions relating to, taste and smell.
B	Motor loss Motor loss symptoms and signs include: A weakness – loss of power B paralysis – complete loss of power C tremor – involuntary rhythmic movement, especially of the hands D abnormal gait – unusual manner of walking Speech may also be affected, for example with hoarseness – a rough, deep voice as in vocal cord paralysis. Slurred speech means poor articulation, as in cerebellar disease.
C	Loss of consciousness Patients may describe sudden loss of consciousness in a number of ways: Fit, seizure and convulsion are all used to refer to violent involuntary movements, as in epilepsy. Doctors may say: When did you lose your consciousness? Here is a passage from a textbook on the causes of loss of consciousness. The principal differential diagnosis is between an epileptic fit and a syncopal attack, or fainting. Syncope is a sudden loss of consciousness due to temporary failure of the cerebral circulation. Syncope is distinguished from a seizure principally by the circumstances in which the event occurs. For example

EXERCISES

26.1	Complete the table with words from A, B and C above.
26.2	Make word combinations using a word from each box. Look at A, B and C above to help you.
26.3	A doctor is trying to determine the cause of loss of consciousness in a 52-year-old man. Complete the doctor’s questions. Look at C opposite and at the table in 26.1 above to help you. Did you lose (1) _____________ suddenly or gradually. Did you get a (2) _____________ of the attack? What were you doing before you (3) _____________ out? Were you worried or under any (4) _____________ at the time? Did you feel (5) _____________ or (6) _____________- _____________ before the attack? Did you lose (7) _____________ of your bladder? Did your wife notice any (8) _____________ movements while you were unconscious?

Answer key