Neurological Disorders

What are neurological disorders?

Neurological disorders affect about seven million Spaniards. These disorders are diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, i.e., the brain, spinal cord, cranial and peripheral nerves, autonomic nervous system, nerve roots, neuromuscular plate and muscles.

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

  • Diseases due to defective genes, such as muscular dystrophy or Huntington’s disease.
  • Degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
  • Diseases of the blood vessels supplying the brain, such as stroke.
  • Due to problems in the development of the nervous system, such as spina bifida.
  • Due to injuries to the brain or spinal cord.
  • Seizure disorders, such as epilepsy.
  • Brain tumors, due to cancer.
  • Infections, such as meningitis.

Prognosis of the disease

The prognosis of the disease can vary significantly depending on the specific disease, although it is usually of a certain severity. In the case of degenerative diseases of the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s disease, they can become quite serious and life-threatening. The same can happen with diseases caused by defective genes, although a quick diagnosis can be fundamental for a more favorable evolution.

In the case of seizure disorders, such as epilepsy, the prognosis is usually better. A patient with epilepsy can have the effects disappear during treatment, although this may require several years.

Other cases, such as cerebral hemorrhages, also have a high severity, since they may involve a risk of mortality. In the case of brain tumors, it is defined as a serious disease with a guarded prognosis, as it may vary from case to case.

Alzheimer’s is a fairly common neurological disorder.

Symptoms of neurological disorders

The symptoms of neurological disorders will depend on the particular disease. They can produce either an excess or a deficit of neuronal activity in any system of the body. Some of the symptoms that can be identified are:

  • Headache
  • Loss of strength or numbness of a limb
  • Dizziness
  • Fainting and loss of consciousness
  • Memory problems
  • Cognitive difficulties
  • Speech problems
  • Vision problems
  • Tremors, twitching, involuntary contractions

Medical tests for neurological disorders

Medical tests may vary depending on the patient’s condition. There are multiple tests to evaluate the state of the nervous system, which are more useful depending on what you want to inspect. The following are worth mentioning:

  • Electroencephalogram: it is especially useful in brain tumors or brain or spinal cord inflammation, for example.
  • Cerebral angiography: it is used to locate vascular irregularities in the brain. These may be obstructions in the blood vessels or strokes, among others.
  • Computed tomography: very effective in the detection of epilepsy, brain tumors or cysts, brain damage due to injury, etc.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging: this reveals to the physician the details of organs, tissues, nerves and bones.
  • Lumbar puncture: to obtain samples of cerebrospinal fluid to check for bleeding or cerebral hemorrhage.
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What are the causes of neurological disorders?

The causes are different depending on the disorder. The reasons for several neurological diseases are unknown, although heredity may be a key factor, as in the case of some degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Huntington’s disease.

Trauma or brain injuries can also be the consequence of multiple disorders, as could be the case of Parkinson’s disease, cerebral hemorrhage or epilepsy.

On the other hand, there are disorders that originate in the body itself, such as brain tumors.

Can they be prevented?

In several cases neurological disorders are difficult to prevent, especially when they are due to hereditary factors. In any case, there are several measures we can take to reduce the risk:

  • Keep the brain and mind healthy, doing activities that stimulate brain activity.
  • Do some physical activity on a regular basis.
  • Avoid social isolation or isolation, through social and emotional relationships.
  • To have healthy life habits, avoiding alcohol, tobacco and drug consumption.
  • Sleep a minimum of 8 hours a day.
  • To have a balanced diet.
  • Protect the brain and avoid brain injuries, using the necessary protection on the road or in risky activities.
  • Avoid risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stress, exhaustion, obesity, diabetes, etc.

Treatments for neurological disorders

The aim of most neurological treatments is to alleviate the symptoms and, if possible, to cure the patient.

There are multiple treatments for neurological disorders, which vary depending on the diagnosed pathology. The main treatment usually consists of neurorehabilitation, which aims to restore, minimize or compensate the functional deficits that the patient may have, always to the extent possible.

The treatments aim to provide comprehensive neurological care to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from any of these disorders, so that they have the greatest possible autonomy.
In all neurological disorders an early diagnosis is vital, so that the specialist can establish the most appropriate treatment in each case.

Which specialist treats it?

To treat neurological disorders we must go to a specialist in Neurology. You can find the specialist who best suits your needs in the Top Doctors medical directory.