Neurological Diseases and Disorders

 

What are neurological disorders?

Neurological disorders affect some 25 million Americans. These disorders are diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, that is, of the brain, spinal cord, cranial and peripheral nerves, autonomic nervous system, nerve roots, neuromuscular plate, and muscles.

“Our nervous systems are composed of some of the most important parts of our body: the brain, the spinal cord, muscles and the nerves that connect them,” said David Schick, a New York neurologist affiliated with NYU Langone Hospitals and Mount Sinai Hospital. “They are responsible for many important functions in our bodies, such as memory, perception, language, movement, swallowing, breathing and even bowel and bladder function.”

There are more than 600 neurological diseases, among which are:

·         Diseases due to faulty genes, such as muscular dystrophy or Huntington's disease.

·         Degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.

·         Diseases of the blood vessels that supply the brain, such as strokes.

·         Due to problems in the development of the nervous system, such as spina bifida.

·         Due to injury to the brain or spinal cord.

·         Seizure disorders, such as epilepsy.

·         Brain tumors, caused by cancer.

·         Infections, such as meningitis.

Prognosis of the disease

There are many nervous system disorders that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. The prognosis of the disease can vary significantly depending on the specific disease, although it is usually of some severity. In the case of degenerative diseases of the nervous system, such as Alzheimer's, they can become quite serious, since they can put the patient's life at risk. It can also happen with diseases due to defective genes, although a quick diagnosis can be essential for a more favorable evolution.

In the case of seizure disorders, such as epilepsy, the prognosis is usually better. A patient with epilepsy may wear off the effects during treatment, although this may take several years, Dr. David Schick said.

Other cases, such as brain hemorrhages, are also very serious, since they can carry a risk of mortality. In the case of brain tumors, it is defined as a serious disease with a reserved prognosis, since it can vary depending on the case.

Symptoms of neurological disorders

The symptoms of neurological disorders will depend on the specific disease. They can produce both an excess and a deficit of neuronal activity in any system of the organism. Some of the symptoms that can be identified are:

·         Headache

·         Loss of strength or numbness in a limb

·         Dizziness

·         Fainting and loss of consciousness

·         Memory problems

·         Cognitive difficulties

·         Speech problems

·         Vision problems

·         Tremors, spasms, involuntary contractions

Headaches are one of the most common neurological disorders and can affect anyone at any age. While many times, a headache shouldn’t be anything too serious to worry about, if your headache comes on suddenly and repeatedly, you should see a doctor, as these could be symptoms of an underlying condition. “The sudden onset of severe headache as well as headache associated with a fever, light sensitivity and stiff neck are all red flags of something more serious such as intracranial bleeding or meningitis,” neurology specialist David Schick added.