10 FAQs about Neurological Diseases

1) What is a Neurological Disease?

A neurological disease is a condition in which the nervous system becomes dysfunctional or faulty due to any structural, electrical, or chemical abnormalities in any part of the nervous system.

2) What are Some Common Neurological Diseases?

They are the following:

1. Alzheimer’s Disease

2. Headache

3. Stroke

4. Epilepsy

5. Brain Injuries

6. Parkinson’s Disease

7. Peripheral Nerve Disorders

8. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

9. Sleep Disorders

10. Multiple Sclerosis

11. Tremor

12. Spinal Cord Injuries

3)  What are the Warning Signs/Symptoms of Neurological Diseases?

The most common and significant warning signs include:

1. Loss of memory/forgetfulness

2. Muscle twitches, spasm or rigidity

3. Loss of sensation

4. Persistent headache

5. Muscle weakness

6. Unexplained pain

7. Poor awareness/concentration

8. Vision difficulties

4) What Causes Neurological Diseases?

There are numerous types of neurological diseases and the causes of each vary. However, the most common causes include:

1. Genetics

2. Environmental factors that trigger genetic mutations

3. Injury to the brain, spinal cord or nerves

4. Nutrition-related problems like malnutrition

5. Lifestyle-related causes

5) Why do Neurological Disorders Cause Problems Related to Memory, Movement, and Vision?

The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves- all of which are responsible for any voluntary or involuntary form of movement in your body.

Moreover, it is responsible for conveying messages through nerves from one part of the body to another in order for the body to appropriately respond to the changes in the environment and thus enabling vision and sensations.

Lastly, brain neurons are also responsible for memory formation and other areas related to critical thinking and personality.

Thus, damage to this nervous system is bound to cause problems with memory, movement, and vision.

6) What Happens at a Neurological Examination?

The neurologist will test vision, coordination, reflexes, strength, and sensation while paying close attention to your medical and family history.

This helps the neurologist determine if there is a problem or scope for problems in your nervous system or not.

Accordingly, confirmatory tests will be performed to diagnose the problem and find the best approach to treatment.

7) Is There a Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia?

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. Whereas dementia is only a

the name given to a set of symptoms.

These include problems with concentration, confusion, personality changes, memory problems, etc.

Other diseases that can cause dementia include traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, vascular cognitive impairment, and HIV.

8) How to Tell If a Headache Is a Migraine?

Migraines have some significant symptoms like:

1. Frequent pain on one side of the head

2. Most commonly followed by nausea and vomiting

3. Stabbing pain behind one eye

4. Sensitivity to light

5. Excessive pulsing in one wrist

9) What Are The Signs of a Stroke?

A stroke needs quick medical attention in order to prevent permanent damage to the nervous system. They can be determined by the following symptoms:

1. Visually uneven face due to numbness or weakness in one side- Ask the person to smile.

2. One side of the arm drifting downwards-Ask the person to lift their arm.

3. Severe headache, dizziness, and trouble in speech or understanding speech- Ask the person to repeat a few words or some general knowledge question.

4. Problems with vision- Ask the person to visually follow the movement of your finger.

If the person fails one or more of these examinations, call an ambulance immediately.

10) Do I Have a Concussion?

After a head injury, a person might have a concussion if they experience symptoms like:

1. Unusual mood swings

2. Confusion

3. Clouded memory

4. Disrupted sleep patterns

5. Vomiting

6. Nausea