Talk:Encephalopathy

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Contents 1 Source 2 Types 3 Introduction 4 Anthropocentrism 5 severe causes? 6 Intro 7 Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

[edit] Source

Part of this article is adapted from the public domain U.S. NINDS document "NINDS Encephalopathy Information Page" located at [1]

[edit] Types

[2]: I added the part about Alzheimer's and CJD. The former may not be transmissible, and it's certainly a neurodegenerative disease. 216.234.170.74 15:12, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

This article on inflammation in Alzheimer's and prion diseases shows that the distinction between Alz and human prion disease may be arbitrary. It seems to be a review, because it talks of a great many things that I find hard to put into one experiment. 216.234.170.74 15:51, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Introduction

Now that I look at the lead section, "non-specific" leaps out at me. Encephalopathy literally means "Disease of the pENIS". 216.234.170.74 15:20, 31 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Anthropocentrism

This article deals only with encephalopathy in humans. Since bovine spongiform encephalopathy is much more familiar to lay people than any of the other forms of encephalopathy listed, this amounts to a grave imbalance. And why, for that matter, isn't CJD listed, since it is the human form of this encephalopathy of cattle?

Also
There are severe causes of encephalopathy
Should this be "several causes"? Ireneshusband 18:01, 17 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] severe causes?

In the section listing what appear to be 4 types of encephalopathy, there's a sentence at the top reading, 'There are severe causes of encephalopathy.' The section does not appear to list causes, but types, and I don't understand why 'severe' is in the sentence. Shouldn't it be something like 'There are several types of encephalopathy'? Mathtinder 02:29, 25 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Intro

I fixed the poor writing of the second paragraph of the introduction, but I have realized that it elucidates nothing, defeating the purpose of a hypothetical example. Therefore, I am removing it, since it is extremely long-winded, and the point of an introduction is to concisely introduce a topic. If anyone cares to prune it and reintroduce what is left, here is the text:

A descriptive example may clarify the distinctions between these entities. An elderly man with Alzheimer's disease, manifested by mild dementia (forgetfulness and impaired judgment) develops pneumonia, a severe infection. He manifests depressed consciousness, myclonic jerks, jactitation (restless tossing in bed, picking at things), and Cheyne-Stokes respirations (rhythmic increase and decrease in respiratory frequency and depth). These are symptoms (not exclusively) of toxic-metabolic encephalopathy. Because of the severity of the patient's illness he is admitted to the intensive care unit, intubated with an endotracheal tube, mechanically ventilated, and sedated with medications. After a week his infection is cured and he is extubated and breathes independently. At this point he sleeps during the day and is awake and agitated at night, has hallucinations and alternating periods of lucidity and confusion, and manifests paranoia. This is delirium, arising from multiple previous insults (reduced baseline mental faculties, infection, psychoactive medications, altered environment, etc.). With cessation of psychoactive medications, enforcement of normal day/night dark/light cycles, and frequent, gentle re-orientation to his surroundings, his confusion clears, leaving him mentally with his previous baseline dementia.

--♦♦♦Vlmastra♦♦♦ 04:28, 4 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

should HIE be inclueded in this page, it is a term that is commonly used in medicine yet it is not on this page. should it be inclued?--Mygodshesfat (talk) 19:51, 22 April 2008 (UTC)