How Do I Know If I Have a Neurodegenerative Disease?

Do You Have a Neurodegenerative Disease? Signs & Risks

Neurodegenerative diseases are conditions that slowly damage parts of the brain and nervous system over time. This damage can lead to issues with movement, memory, cognition, and other essential bodily functions. These diseases include well-known conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

While these diseases primarily affect older individuals, they can also sometimes appear earlier in life, depending on the underlying cause. Since they get worse over time and often have no cure, early diagnosis and symptom management are very important.

Keep reading to learn about neurodegenerative disease, what symptoms to watch for, and how people can reduce their risk and improve their quality of life.

What are the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases?

The symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases can be different from person to person. Here are some common symptoms based on the type of disease:

• Diseases like Dementia: These often cause confusion, memory problems, trouble thinking clearly, and changes in behaviour.
• Diseases that Damage Nerve Coverings (Demyelinating Diseases): These conditions can cause symptoms such as tingling, numbness, pain, muscle cramps, weakness, difficulty moving, poor coordination, and fatigue.
• Diseases like Parkinson’s: These typically cause slow movement, shaking, trouble maintaining balance, walking with small steps, and a stooped posture.
• Motor Neurone Diseases: These conditions affect the brain and nerves that control muscle movement. As the nerves die, muscle control deteriorates, leading to weakness and ultimately paralysis (loss of movement).

What Causes Neurodegenerative Diseases?

Researchers have found many possible causes or risk factors, which usually fit into these groups:

• Age: These diseases are more prevalent in older individuals.
• Genetics: Family history plays a significant role in determining one's genetic makeup. Some people inherit changes in their genes that raise their risk.
• Environment: Pollution, certain chemicals, and infections may increase your risk. For example, people with low vitamin D may be more likely to get diseases like dementia.
• Medical History: Past health problems can also increase risk. For example, having cancer, infections, or head injuries may lead to or worsen these conditions.
• Lifestyle Habits: What you eat, how much you move, whether you smoke, and how much alcohol you drink can all affect your risk.

How Do I Know If I Have a Neurodegenerative Disease?

Whether you have a neurodegenerative disease depends on the type of condition and your symptoms. To get a more precise answer, doctors may use these tests:

• Lab Tests: Lab tests help exclude mimics (e.g., infections, metabolic disorders) but rarely confirm neurodegenerative diseases directly.
• Brain Scans: Tests like CT (computed tomography) scans and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans enable doctors to visualise your brain. They look for damage or changes that could mean you have a neurodegenerative disease or rule out other problems.
• Brain Tissue Exam After Death: Some diseases, like Pick’s disease or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), can only be confirmed by examining the brain tissue under a microscope after a person has passed away.
• Other Tests: Depending on your symptoms and the part of the brain that might be affected, your doctor may order additional specific tests.

What are the complications of neurodegenerative diseases?

Neurodegenerative diseases damage the brain and nervous system over time. As this damage worsens, people lose the abilities controlled by the affected areas. This leads to serious problems, such as:

• Movement Problems: You may experience loss of strength, flexibility, balance, and quick reactions. This increases the likelihood of falls and broken bones.
• Muscle Control Issues: Over time, the muscles stop functioning, including those necessary for breathing. This can lead to lung infections or other breathing problems.
• Memory and Thinking Problems (as in Dementia): As these worsen, people often can’t take care of themselves safely and may require full-time assistance.

Can You Recover From a Neurodegenerative Disease?

There is no cure for any neurodegenerative disease. These diseases damage brain cells, and once those cells are lost, they cannot be regenerated. However, some of these diseases can be managed in the following ways:

• Most therapies (e.g., for Alzheimer’s) manage symptoms but do not halt underlying degeneration.
• Even when the disease itself can’t be treated, doctors can often treat the symptoms to help improve your comfort and quality of life.

Neurodegenerative diseases are long-term conditions that can be challenging, but with early diagnosis and a healthy lifestyle, it’s possible to maintain a better quality of life. Staying active, eating a balanced diet, and following your doctor’s advice can make a significant difference over time.

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