Neurological disorders are the ones that impact the autonomic and central nervous system, along with the brain. It is important to understand the signs and symptoms of neurological disorders to self-assess your condition or to understand the condition of your loved one. So, read on to know all the important details about neurological disorders.
What exactly are neurological disorders?
Neurological disorders are medical disorders that impact the brain and the nerves in the body and the spinal cord. Electrical, structural, and biochemical abnormalities in the spinal cord, brain, or other nerves can lead to many symptoms. Some examples of such disabilities include autism, epilepsy, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, brain tumors, and ADD.
It is quite common to confuse neurological disorders with mental disorders or psychiatric illnesses. The latter refers to abnormalities of feeling, behavior, or thought that may or may not produce functional impairment and distress. On the other hand, neurological disorders have completely different symptoms than that.
Some examples of such symptoms include confusion, seizures, sensation loss, poor coordination, muscle weakness, paralysis, and pain. A neurological disorder is a broad term that includes several diseases with different symptoms and treatments. There are over 600 neurologic disorders identified all over the world. Though there are many identified neurological disorders, some of them are rare and do not have a proper course of treatment yet. The best neurologist in Delhi can offer you more details about specific neurological conditions.
Causes of neurological problems
Both your brain and spinal cord remain insulated by several membranes that are vulnerable to pressure and force. Also, the peripheral nerves that are located deep below the skin can undergo damage due to different reasons. As such, neurological disabilities can impact one neuron or the complete neurological pathway. Even the smallest disturbance in the structural pathway of the neuron can lead to major dysfunction.
The exact cause of neurological problems tends to vary from one disorder to another, but here are some of the most common ones:
- nerve injury
- spinal cord injury
- brain injury
- malnutrition
- environmental factors
- lifestyle factors
- infections
- tumors
- structural defects
- congenital disorders or abnormalities
- genetic disorders
Irrespective of the cause, neurological disabilities are the result of damage to the nervous system. The area and the extent of that damage determine the impact faced by cognition, movement, hearing, vision, and communication. Only the best neurologist in Delhi can assess and arrest the impact based on the condition of the patient.
Signs and symptoms of neurological disorders
Speaking of signs of neurological disorders, they can be widely divided into emotional symptoms and physical symptoms. Let’s take a look at each of these two signs separately:
Emotional signs of neurological disorders:
Though most people look for the physical symptoms of the disorder, you need to know that the emotional signs can be just as debilitating. For example, the patient might have sudden outbursts or face constant mood swings. The ones who suffer from such neurological disorders can also face delusions or depression.
Note that the symptoms can be an indication of other conditions and disorders. If you or someone close to you has any such symptoms, seek medical help without delay.
Physical signs of neurological disorders:
Some of the most common physical signs of neurological disorders are:
- Decreased alertness
- Unexplained pain
- Poor cognitive capacity
- Difficulty writing and reading
- Complete or partial paralysis
- Seizures
- Muscle weakness
- Complete or partial loss of sensation
Long-term and short-term effects of neurological disorders
When left unchecked, a neurological disorder can lead to many severe consequences. The long-term and short-term impacts of neurological disorders tend to vary to a great extent based on the severity of the disorder.
For instance, Parkinson’s disease is a common neurological condition. It is a progressive disorder that keeps getting worse with time. At the same time, a majority of individuals who have multiple sclerosis suffer from depression at least once in their lifetime.
If someone you know is showing signs of a neurological disorder, take them to a doctor right away. Do not let them develop emotional symptoms from persistent discomfort from physical symptoms or allow the physical symptoms to get worse.
If you note any of the following signs, it is time to see a doctor immediately:
- Tremors
- Slurred speech
- Weakness
- Changes in balance or coordination
- Numbness in the arms or legs
- Changes in behavior
- Fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Headaches
Timely treatment is the key to ensuring that the conditions do not go from bad to worse. So, get in touch with the doctors at BLK Max Hospital right away by booking an appointment. Think of it as the first step towards a happier and healthier life.
