Disorders classified as neurological include those that impact the brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout the body. The particular causes of neurological impairments vary from person to person, but they include, brain damage, malnutrition, nerve injury, spinal cord injury, genetics, congenital anomalies, infections, and individual lifestyle.
There are several known neurological illnesses, some of which are rare but many of which are not. Currently, more than 600 different neurological conditions exist.
The most common neurological disorders are due to:
- Age
Certain neurological conditions may emerge as people grow older; they are called degenerative diseases. The likelihood of having Alzheimer’s disease, for example, rises with age. Parkinson’s disease is another example of a degenerative disease.
- Defective Genes
Genetic mutations or mutations brought about by prolonged exposure to certain environmental factors such as cigarette smoke can be the cause of neurological impairments. These disorders can be passed down in a family. Examples are Huntington’s disease and muscular dystrophy.
- Spinal Cord Or Brain Injury
Injury to the spinal cord can cause inflammation and affect the entire neurological system, including the brain, which is particularly vulnerable to both pressure and inflammation.
- Brain Tumors
An ordered and coordinated discharge of electrical impulses is necessary for normal brain activity. Brain tumors can alter the normal electrical activity of the brain. When this happens, seizures, stroke, and other neurological impairments may set in.
- Infections
Viruses can enter the circulatory system and go to the brain that way, or in the case of rabies, they can spread along the peripheral nerves where they can start to disrupt the brain’s normal functioning.
Early Signs And Symptoms Of Neurological Impairment
Neurological symptoms happen when the connections in the nervous system are broken. A variety of symptoms may be caused by metabolic, structural, or electrical abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord, or other nerves.
These symptoms include:
- Paralysis
- Weak muscles
- Shaky coordination
- Loss of feeling
- Convulsions
- Disorientation
- Pain
- Altered degrees of awareness
Also, numbness, burning sensations, prickling sensations, and sensitivity are some early signs of neurological impairments that frequently start in the peripheral nervous system. When a nerve is squeezed and receives inadequate blood supply, some other neurological disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome, develop. Peripheral neuropathies, or nerve conditions, are frequently caused by diabetes because excessive blood sugar content damages nerves.
Unfortunately, neurological conditions are challenging to identify and manage. You frequently need the assessment and help of qualified health professionals.
When Should I Consult a Health Professional?
Problems of the neurological system are best treated at the early stages, therefore, an early diagnosis is all-important. When you start to notice certain unexplained symptoms, you may need to consult with health professionals to diagnose and treat problems of the neurological system.
If you, or anyone you love, notice any of these signs, then it is time to consult a doctor:
- Severe headaches or migraines
- Dizziness, vertigo, or difficulty with keeping your balance
- Chronic pain
- Problems with movement
- Numbness and tingling, especially when it happens suddenly
- Problem with recollection or confusion
Professionals trained to diagnose and treat neurological conditions include neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, physiatrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech/language pathologists.
Advice for Caregivers of People With Neurological Conditions
The brain is always in need of stimulus and greatly benefits from it. So as a caregiver taking care of a family member living with a neurological condition, engaging them in meaningful conversations can help them to combat isolation and improve their quality of life. Companionship is even more important for seniors living with neurological conditions.
Maintaining appointments, medical treatments, and therapy are crucial aspects of helping a family member living with a neurological condition. Some of the severe symptoms of the illness may be triggered by side effects from medications or underlying illness, so your close attention is important at this stage.
To keep your loved one in the greatest condition possible, you may even hire home care. One key method to decrease the progression of many neurological conditions is to maintain good health.
