GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL NEURALGIA

GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL NEURALGIA - Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is an irritation of the ninth cranial nerve causing extreme pain in the back of the throat, tongue and ear. Attacks of intense, electric shock-like pain can occur without warning or can be triggered by swallowing. Although the exact cause is not known, a blood vessel is often found compressing the nerve. It can also occur in people with throat or neck cancer.

In glossopharyngeal neuralgia, attacks are brief and occur intermittently, but they cause excruciating pain. Attacks may be triggered by a particular action, such as chewing, swallowing, talking, yawning, coughing, or sneezing. The pain usually begins at the back of the tongue or back of the throat. Sometimes pain spreads to the ear or the area at the back of the jaw. The pain may last several seconds to a few minutes and usually affects only one side of the throat and tongue.

CAUSES

• Blood vessels pressing on the glossopharyngeal nerve

• Growths at the base of the skull pressing on the glossopharyngeal nerve

• Tumors or infections of the throat and mouth pressing on the glossopharyngeal nerve.

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA - Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. If you have trigeminal neuralgia, even mild stimulation of your face — such as from brushing your teeth or putting on makeup — may trigger a jolt of excruciating pain. In trigeminal neuralgia, also called tic douloureux, the trigeminal nerve's function is disrupted. Usually, the problem is contact between a normal blood vessel — in this case, an artery or a vein — and the trigeminal nerve at the base of your brain. This contact puts pressure on the nerve and causes it to malfunction.Trigeminal neuralgia can occur as a result of aging, or it can be related to multiple sclerosis or a similar disorder that damages the myelin sheath protecting certain nerves. Trigeminal neuralgia can also be caused by a tumor compressing the trigeminal nerve.

POLIOMYELITIS

POLIOMYELITIS - Poliomyelitis is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. Most children who are infected with polio have no symptoms. A few have mild symptoms. The virus is most known for attacking the nervous system and causing paralysis. But very few children with polio develop paralysis.

The symptoms for paralytic polio are the same as above. They can also include:

- Muscle weakness all over

- Severe constipation

- Bladder paralysis

- Muscle wasting

- Weakened breathing

- Weak cough

- Hoarse voice

- Trouble swallowing

- Muscle paralysis that may be permanent

- Drooling

- Irritability and anger

BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJURIES

BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJURIES - The brachial plexus is the network of nerves that sends signals from your spine to your shoulder, arm and hand. A brachial plexus injury occurs when these nerves are stretched, compressed, or in the most serious cases, ripped apart or torn away from the spinal cord.More-severe symptoms result from injuries that seriously injure or even tear or rupture the nerves. The most serious brachial plexus injury occurs when the nerve root is torn from the spinal cord.

Signs and symptoms of more-severe injuries can include:- Weakness or inability to use certain muscles in your hand, arm or shoulder- Complete lack of movement and feeling in your arm, including your shoulder and hand- Severe Pain

Minor damage often occurs during contact sports, such as football or wrestling, when the brachial plexus nerves get stretched or compressed. These are called stingers or burners, and can produce the following symptoms:

• A feeling like an electric shock or a burning sensation shooting down your arm

• Numbness and weakness in your arm

TINNITUS - RINGING EAR

TINNITUS - Tinnitus is the perception of noise or ringing in the ears. Tinnitus isn't a condition itself — it's a symptom of an underlying condition, such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury or a circulatory system disorder. A number of health conditions can cause or worsen tinnitus. In many cases, an exact cause is never found. A common cause of tinnitus is inner ear cell damage. Tiny, delicate hairs in your inner ear move in relation to the pressure of sound waves. This triggers ear cells to release an electrical signal through a nerve from your ear (auditory nerve) to your brain. Your brain interprets these signals as sound. If the hairs inside your inner ear are bent or broken, they can "leak" random electrical impulses to your brain, causing tinnitus.

Tinnitus can significantly affect quality of life. Although it affects people differently, if you have tinnitus, you also may experience:

• Fatigue

• Stress

• Sleep problems

• Trouble concentrating

• Memory problems

• Depression

• Anxiety and irritability