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What Are The Most Common Neurological Disorders?

August 22, 2023

Neurological disorders are a group of diseases that affect the brain and the central and autonomic nervous system. Over 1 billion people around the world are affected by some neurological disease. Neurological disorders are a serious problem and are incredibly difficult on the person diagnosed with them and their loved ones. These conditions come in all shapes and sizes and can affect people of any age and health. From Alzheimer’s to epilepsy, there are hundreds of neurological conditions that doctors know about today. These disorders can range in severity and the symptoms can differ from person to person. Patients require the direct attention and care of the best neurologist in India or abroad. To better understand what a person diagnosed with a neurological disorder goes through, it’s important to educate ourselves about what these disorders are. Let’s take a look at the most common neurological disorders we see and key ways to identify each one 1. Headache Headaches are one of the most common neurological disorders—and there are a variety of different kinds of headaches, such as migraines, cluster headaches, and tension headaches. When headaches occur repeatedly, it’s a good sign that you should see a doctor, as it could be a symptom of an underlying condition. The most common conditions that can cause recurring headaches include:

• High blood pressure
• Infections
• Temporal arteritis, or when blood vessels in and around your scalp become inflamed
• Tumors

2. Stroke Usually it is difficult to anticipate a stroke, but signs that you may be having a stroke include sudden:

• 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
• Severe headache

These lifestyle modifications can help you control key stroke risk factors, such as:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Heavy alcohol use
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity and lack of exercise
• Smoking

3. Seizures Seizures are changes in the brain’s electrical activity. Signs and symptoms of a seizure can vary depending on the severity of your seizure, but the most common include:

• Cognitive or emotional symptoms, such as fear, anxiety, or deja vu
• Loss of consciousness or awareness
• Temporary confusion
• Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs

After having a seizure, it's important to see your doctor. Early treatment and medication can control your seizures, and you will avoid long-term complications such as memory loss and brain damage.  A seizure often is the result of epilepsy, but can also happen due to:

• Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
• Head trauma that causes an area of bleeding in the brain
• High fever
• Lack of sleep
• Low blood sodium
• Medications, such as antidepressants or pain relievers

4. Parkinson’s Disease Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects your movement. Generally, it begins affecting people around age 60, and symptoms gradually get worse over time. Common symptoms include: Constipation: This can occur at any time during Parkinson’s disease, sometimes even decades before you experience motor symptoms Muscle stiffness: This can occur throughout your body; in some cases, it can be difficult to swing your arms while you walk Reduced smell: Most people with Parkinson’s disease have some loss of their sense of smell Stiff face: Especially in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, your face may begin showing little or no expression Speech changes: Your speech can become soft or slurred Tremor: Usually starts in your hands or fingers Your doctor will diagnose Parkinson’s disease during a visit in which you discuss your symptoms and undergo a physical examination. In many cases, you can alleviate symptoms and manage Parkinson’s disease effectively through medication.

5. Dementia

Dementia is an umbrella diagnosis that describes a group of diseases, including Alzheimer’s, that may cause your brain to fail. Dementia, which becomes increasingly more likely as you age, leads to continuous loss of brain tissue, which can affect:

• Behavior
• Emotions
• Memory
• Perceptions
• Thinking