The human nervous system is a specialized, complex network of functions giving capabilities to different parts of the body. The nervous system is composed of significant parts of the body, such as the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. This makes it responsible for important body functions, such as speech, memory, movement, perception, swallowing, and breathing.
Amidst these functions, if anything goes wrong with any part of the nervous system, such as a concussion, it can result in a neurological condition or disorder. Millions of people live with different types of neurological conditions unknowingly. Here are five neurological conditions you can look out for.
Headaches are of different types and affect anyone of any age, and are the most common neurological conditions often overlooked. In many cases, a headache shouldn’t give one any worry. However, if you have repeated, severe headaches that come suddenly, the best approach is to see a doctor because they could point to an underlying condition.
For instance, headaches linked to fever, stiff neck, and light sensitivity are usually signs of a more life-threatening condition such as meningitis or intracranial bleeding. Don’t ignore headaches, however light they seem. For more severe headaches, you may need proper scrutiny, including Functional Neurology, to provide better care.
Strokes affect around 800,000 Americans yearly. A stroke usually occurs if there’s no supply of oxygenated blood to the brain. This can result from a blockage or clot of an artery limiting blood flow or after-effects of a concussion. While many interventions can stop a stroke, time is of the essence because any lateness can result in immediate death.
If you’re suspecting stroke, you need to watch out for the B.E. F.A.S.T. mnemonic device:
Dementia and Alzheimer’s memory loss are commonly referred to as old-age diseases. Some memory loss at old age is a normal part of aging. However, when it is too rapid and more significant, it can be a sign of a life-threatening condition, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. Common symptoms may include difficulty achieving daily activities, not remembering the names of friends and family names, getting lost, difficulty managing finances, and more. Both Alzheimer’s and dementia need the attention of a neurologist for diagnosis and better attendance.
Once diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s, elderly individuals and their loved ones must seek appropriate medical care and support services. Memory loss can be a challenging and distressing experience, not only for the individual affected but also for their family members and caregivers. Therefore, considering memory care facilities can help improve their quality of life and provide the necessary assistance for managing daily activities.
Parkinson’s disease is more progressive in its impacts on the nervous system and primarily affects body coordination such as balance. For example, one may experience changes in walking, posture, or facial positions in the early stages of Parkinson’s. Later as the disease progresses, there are more severe behavioral and cognitive problems. It also worsens over time and can only be managed because it has no direct treatment.
Bell’s palsy has no accurate explanation and is often described as an unexplained condition of sudden facial muscle weakness, sometimes paralysis. It’s a condition resulting from damage to the seventh cranial facial nerve that comes with severe pain on one side of the victim’s face or head. It strikes at any age but is more common between 15 and 60 years old. It can strike anyone but is more common in pregnant women, people with diabetes, cold, influenza, or another respiratory ailment. Since it currently has no known cure, Bell’s Palsy can only be managed, and most people often recover their full facial strength, expression, and appearance.
There are many neurological conditions, most turning into neurological disorders, that you should know. The five we’ve listed are the most common ones. Headaches are so common that they get ignored often, but they can be a symptom of an underlying condition. It’s always important to seek immediate attention and avoid lengthy, expensive treatments.
Photo: Pixabay
