brain diseases

Brain Diseases: Infections

Brain diseases in the category of infections include:

Meningitis: An inflammation of the lining around the brain or spinal cord, usually due to infection. Neck pain, headache, and confusion are common symptoms.

Encephalitis: An inflammation of the brain tissue, usually due to infection. Meningitis and encephalitis often occur together, which is called meningoencephalitis.

Brain abscess: A pocket of infection in the brain, usually caused by bacteria. Antibiotics and surgical drainage of the area are often necessary.

Brain Diseases: Seizures

Included in the seizure category of brain diseases is epilepsy. Head injuries and strokes may cause epilepsy, but usually no cause is identified.

Brain Diseases: Trauma

Trauma includes these conditions:

Concussion: A brain injury that causes a temporary disturbance in brain function, sometimes with unconsciousness and confusion. Traumatic head injuries cause concussions.

Traumatic brain injury: Permanent brain damage from a traumatic head injury. Obvious mental impairment or more subtle personality and mood changes can occur.

Intracerebral hemorrhage: Any bleeding inside the brain, which may occur after a traumatic injury or due to high blood pressure.

Brain Diseases: Tumors, Masses, and Increased Pressure

This category of brain disease includes: 

Brain tumor: Any abnormal tissue growth inside the brain. Whether malignant (cancerous) or benign, brain tumors usually cause problems by the pressure they exert on the normal brain. 

Glioblastoma: An aggressive, cancerous brain tumor. Brain glioblastomas progress rapidly and are usually difficult to cure. 

Hydrocephalus: An abnormally increased amount of cerebrospinal (brain) fluid inside the skull. Usually, this is because the fluid is not circulating properly. 

Normal pressure hydrocephalus: A form of hydrocephalus that often causes problems with walking, along with dementia and urinary incontinence. Pressures inside the brain remain normal, despite the increased fluid. 

Pseudotumor cerebri: Increased pressure inside the skull with no apparent cause. Vision changes, headaches, dizziness, and nausea are common symptoms.

Brain Diseases: Vascular (Blood Vessels) Conditions

Brain diseases connected with blood vessel conditions include: 

Stroke: Blood flow and oxygen are suddenly interrupted to an area of brain tissue, which then dies. The body part controlled by the damaged brain area (such as an arm or a leg) may no longer function properly. 

Ischemic stroke: A blood clot suddenly develops in an artery, blocking blood flow and causing a stroke. 

Hemorrhagic stroke: Bleeding in the brain creates congestion and pressure on brain tissue, impairing healthy blood flow and causing a stroke. 

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA): Another name for stroke. 

Transient ischemic attack (TIA): A temporary interruption of blood flow and oxygen to a part of the brain. Symptoms are similar to those of a stroke, but they resolve completely (usually within 24 hours) without damage to brain tissue.