Neurological disorders are those that affect our brain and nerves and can lead to various symptoms like paralysis, muscle weakness, poor coordination, loss of sensation, seizures, confusion, pain, and altered levels of consciousnes. Dr Pawan Ojha, Senior Consultant-Neurology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi on how to recognise signs and symptoms of common neurological disorders.
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"Neurological disorders can significantly influence a person's life and well-being. These disorders can result from structural, biochemical, or electrical abnormalities in the brain," says Dr Pawan Ojha, Senior Consultant-Neurology, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi.(Shutterstock, Pixabay)
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Headaches: One of the most common neurological disorders that affect people are headaches. There are numerous types of headaches, such as migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches, symptoms of which can often overlap and are mostly ignored by people who suffer from the condition. This means that headaches, especially if they occur repeatedly over time, could be symptoms of an underlying disease and should therefore be evaluated by a healthcare expert (neurologist) at the earliest. Common secondary conditions that could cause severe headaches are high blood pressure, infections, temporal arteritis (when blood vessels in and around your scalp become inflamed) and brain tumours.(Pixabay)
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Stroke: A stroke generally occurs when the artery in the brain becomes impaired. While it is difficult to anticipate a stroke, some signs of the condition include blurred vision, confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, dizziness or loss of balance, numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body) and severe headache. If a person suffers from a stroke, lifestyle modifications are required to prevent a second stroke, as that can have fatal outcomes. A person can lower their risk of stroke by exercising at least 30 minutes a day, minimum five days a week, and following a healthy diet that includes a good mix of fruits and vegetables and less processed foods.(Unsplash)
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Seizures: Changes in the brain's electrical activity are termed seizures, and it is estimated that there are more than 10 million persons with epilepsy in India. Its prevalence is about one per cent in our population, while signs and symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the patient's situation. Some common associated signs include cognitive or emotional symptoms, such as fear, anxiety, a temporal loss of consciousness or awareness, tingling or uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs. Additionally, it is essential to understand that timely diagnosis and medication can help to control seizures in patients and, at the same time, avoid long-term complications like memory loss and brain damage.(Shutterstock)
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Vertigo: A condition that occurs when there is a problem with the inner ear, brain, or their connecting sensory pathways, vertigo can happen at any age, although it is common in people aged 65 years and above. People may experience dizziness temporarily or for a very long duration, and it can sometimes even occur during pregnancy or as a symptom of an ear infection. In addition, people with an inner ear disorder, such as Ménière's disease, can also experience vertigo. This condition can also happen when a person is at a great height and looks down. Some people who suffer from sudden, severe positional vertigo or benign positional vertigo (BPPV) may need repositioning therapy to be performed by an expert.(Shutterstock)
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Neuropathy: Neuropathy is an indication of a problem within the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system is the network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, which makes up the central nervous system. The two systems work in this manner: the central nervous system is the central station. It is the hub from which all trains come
