Types of Neurological Disorders You Should Know

Introduction

Neurological disorders are medical conditions that disrupt the normal nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. These disorders can arise from structural, biochemical, or electrical abnormalities in the nervous system. The nervous system controls and coordinates all bodily activities, including movement, thought processes, emotions, and sensory experiences. Any damage or dysfunction in this system can lead to neurological issues and significantly impact an individual’s quality of life if left untreated.

How Prevalent Is It?

Neurological disorders are among the leading contributors to the burden of disease in India. The overall prevalence of neurological disorders can reach as high as 2,400 cases per 100,000 population.

The Most Prevalent Neurological Disorders Include:

• Alzheimer’s disease: Alzheimer's is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia. It is marked by memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioural changes.
• Parkinson’s disease: Parkinson's is a neurodegenerative condition primarily affecting movement. It is characterised by tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement), resulting from the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain.
• Epilepsy is a neurological disorder involving recurrent seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures vary in type and severity, often requiring anti-epileptic medications for management.
• Migraine is a chronic neurovascular condition classified as a neurological disorder. It is characterised by recurrent, often unilateral (one-sided), severe headaches that may be accompanied by symptoms such as photophobia (sensitivity to light), phonophobia (sensitivity to sound), nausea, and vomiting.
• Stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. Strokes are either due to blockage or due to bleeding. It is very important to know the signs of a stroke and get immediate medical help and prevent lasting damage.

The Most Prevalent Neurological Disorders Include:

Who is At Risk?

• Age: Older adults are at higher risk for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
• Genetics: Individuals with a family history of neurological disorders may have an increased predisposition to developing similar conditions.
• Chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases.
• Unhealthy lifestyle factors include poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, social isolation, and unmanaged depression.

Common Symptoms

Neurological symptoms vary based on the type and severity. Some conditions affect only one bodily function or part of your body, while others can affect several.

Symptoms of neurological disorders include:

• Muscle movement: Weakness, stiffness, tremor, spasms, paralysis, coordination challenges, falls.
• Sensitivity changes: Numbness, tingling, hypersensitivity to touch and temperature, loss of feeling.
• Changes to your senses: Vision loss, double vision, ringing in your ears, hearing loss, loss of smell and taste, hallucinations, vertigo and loss of balance.
• Sleep problems: Difficulty falling asleep, daytime sleepiness, uncontrollable movements during sleep, loud snoring.
• Consciousness changes: Fainting, seizures, coma.
• Cognitive impairment: Confusion, memory loss, trouble with concentration, learning or processing information, mood changes.
• Speech and language difficulty: Slow speech, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing.
• Pain: Headache, back pain, neck pain.

Some symptoms of functional neurologic disorder, particularly if not treated, can result in substantial disability and poor quality of life.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing neurological disorders can be challenging due to overlapping symptoms and the complexity of the nervous system. Advanced imaging techniques like MRI and CT scans, along with tests like EEG, are used to aid diagnosis. Despite these tools, some conditions remain undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Treatment

Treatments vary widely and often involve medications to manage symptoms, neurorehabilitation, and lifestyle changes. Some conditions may require surgery or specific diets. Treatment plans often focus on managing symptoms and slowing disease progression rather than reversing the condition.

Reversibility of Neurological Disorders

Most neurological disorders cannot be fully reversed, though some symptoms can be managed effectively. Early intervention and treatment can improve outcomes.

Reducing the Risk of Neurological Disorders

• Stay active through regular movement and exercise
• Stay socially connected and avoid isolation
• Keep mind active with reading, writing, learning, and creative hobbies.
• Manage chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol with regular check-ups and proper medication
• Get enough sleep
• Eat a healthy diet low in sugar and saturated fats, and rich in greens, fruits, and antioxidants
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
• Practise safety measures like wearing seat belts and helmets to prevent head injuries.
• Do yoga, pranayama, and meditation