Glossary Of Terms

Listed below are some of the more common terms that you may hear or come across.

Behavioural  problems
Problems associated with the way in which a person acts and responds to their environment and those around them. This may include impulsive and aggressive behaviour.

Brain haemorrhage
Bleeding from a cerebral artery into the tissue of the brain.

Central nervous system (CNS)
The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord. The central nervous system works together with the peripheral nervous system, which consists of all the nerves that carry signals between the CNS and the rest of the body.

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
A disruption to the blood supply to the brain which leads to a stroke.

Clinical psychologist
A specialist who uses the science dealing with the brain and mental processes to assess and treat patients.

Cognitive impairment
An individual with cognitive impairment has difficulties processing information, including mental tasks such as attention, thinking, and memory.

Coma
Patients are said to be in a coma if they are unable to obey simple commands, do not utter comprehensible words and do not open their eyes even in response to pain.

Degenerative
A degenerative disease is one in which there is a worsening of physical qualities affecting particular tissues or parts of the body, often leading to impairment of function.

Disability
Any restriction or lack of ability (resulting from an impairment) to perform an activity in the manner or within the range considered normal for a human being

Encephalitis
Inflammation of the brain, usually caused by a viral infection.

Epilepsy
Disorder of brain function usually characterised by recurrent attacks of unconsciousness (fits or seizures).

Goal orientated approach
When all those involved in a patient’s care are working towards a specific aim which had been identified through discussion with the patient. The goals should be SMART (Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic and Time

Haemorrhage
The escape of blood from a ruptured blood vessel, externally or internally.

Handicap
A disadvantage, resulting from an impairment or disability, that limits or prevents the fulfillment of a role for a person, e.g. a communication problem that means that a parent cannot help their children with their homework or which prevents a person from doing their usual job.

Head injuries
Injury to the head which may result in some degree of brain damage

Interdisciplinary
A group that consists of specialists from several professions,  combining skills and resources and working together to achieve the same aim.

Ischaemic stroke
This refers to strokes caused by a blockage in a blood vessel which carries blood to part of the brain.

Keyworker
A health or other professional who is responsible for coordinating the treatment and care of those who are ill

Locked-in syndrome
A condition resulting from a stroke affecting the brain stem which usually results in total paralysis, including loss of speech and swallowing, but in which the intelligence of the person is not affected. Sometimes eye movement is still possible and can be used as a mode of communication

Malignant tumour
A tumour that invades and destroys the tissue where it originates and which can spread to other sites in the body

Meningitis
An inflammation of the membranes covering the brain (the meninges) due to infection by a virus or bacterium

Motor neurone disease (MND)
A condition in which there is degeneration of nerve pathways controlling muscle activity. This leads to progressive weakness and wasting of muscles

Multiple sclerosis (MS)
A disease affecting the nervous system usually with a relapsing and remitting pattern (at times the symptoms are severe, while at other times they seem to disappear). Movement, vision, speech and memory may be affected

Neuro-rehabilitation
Rehabilitation following a neurological injury, disease or disorder.  The aim of rehabilitation is to enable people to achieve an optimal level of physical, psychological and social functioning. It is a process by which people with a neurological condition work together with professionals to reduce the overall impact of their difficulties, enable them to return to the most appropriate environment and continue involvement  with family, friends, work, and leisure activities.

Neuroleptics
Drugs which block dopamine receptors and which are used to treat severe psychiatric diseases

Neurologist
A medical doctor who is specially trained to diagnose disorders of the brain, spinal cord and nerves, and to treat them with drugs if appropriate

Neurosurgeon
A doctor who is specially trained to diagnose and treat people with disorders of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves using surgical techniques

Nervous system
The vast network of nerve cells which carries information to and from all parts of the body in order to bring about bodily activity. It is classically divided into the brain, spine and peripheral nervous system

Occupational therapy
Occupational therapists help people regain their independence and adapt to any disability. They can recommend special tools to help people perform everyday tasks more easily and can also recommend adaptations to the house, such as hand rails, bath seats and stair lifts

Parkinsonism
A disorder or disease which displays the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease but which is not due to Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. The person will have other problems as well as those associated with Parkinson’s disease

Physiotherapy
Maximising movement ability and controlling pain in the joints, muscles and bones.
Physiotherapists deal mainly with problems due to muscle weakness. They help people regain their mobility and the use of the affected arm or leg

Psychologist
Someone involved in the scientific study of the mind and mental processes.

Rehabilitation
This refers to the overall process of ensuring that people make the best possible recovery from their stroke. It usually involves help from nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and where appropriate speech and language therapists

Spasticity
Stiffness of muscles and joints due to abnormalities in control at brain or spinal cord level

Speech therapist
A specialist in helping people with speech, language, communication and swallowing difficulties

Spinal cord
The main nerve trunk of the body that runs from the brain downwards towards the lower part of the back inside a tunnel of bones in the backbone called the vertebral column

Stroke
A sudden and permanent loss of brain function, usually due to either blockage of the blood supply to part of the brain or a sudden leakage of blood into the brain itself

Sub-arachnoid haemorrhage
A sudden leakage of blood into the fluid surrounding the brain

Ventilator
A machine designed to move air in and out of a person’s lungs to assist breathing mechanically (a life support machine