What is a Neurological Disorder?

Symptoms and Warning Signs of Neurological Disorders

A neurological disorder is a condition that affects how your nervous system functions. When the nervous system is not working properly, it can lead to various symptoms. Understanding these symptoms and their treatment options is important for early diagnosis.

Here, you’ll learn about neurological disorders, how they affect the body, and what steps can be taken to manage the risk of these conditions. Keep reading for better insight.

What are the Types of Neurological Disorders?

There are hundreds of neurological disorders, and they are grouped into the following main types:

1. Neurodegenerative Diseases
 

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s disease

2. Neuromuscular Disorders
 

• Muscular dystrophy
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

3. Brain-related Disorders
 

• Epilepsy
• Migraine and other headache disorders
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury

4. Spinal Cord Conditions
 

• Spina bifida
• Spinal cord injury
• Spinal muscular atrophy

5. Peripheral Nerve Conditions
 

• Peripheral neuropathy
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Bell’s palsy

What are the Symptoms of Neurological Disorders?

Some of the most common signs and symptoms include:

• Physical Pain: People with neurological disorders may feel pain in different parts of the body. This can include headaches, neck pain, and back pain. The pain may come and go or stay for a long time.
• Movement Issues: These disorders can affect how a person moves. They might have muscle weakness, stiffness, shaking (tremors), or muscle spasms.
• Changes in Sensitivity: Neurological disorders can affect how the body feels. For example, a person might feel numbness or tingling or be too sensitive to touch or temperature.
• Problems with Senses: These disorders can cause problems with seeing, hearing, smelling, or tasting. A person may lose vision, see double, hear ringing in the ears, or lose their hearing. Some people may lose their sense of smell or taste.
• Sleep Issues: Sleep can be affected in many ways. A person may have trouble falling asleep, feel sleepy during the day, move around a lot while sleeping, or snore loudly.
• Changes in Awareness: Some neurological problems cause a person to lose awareness. This can include fainting, seizures, or falling into a coma.
• Problems with Thinking: Thinking and memory can be affected. A person might feel confused, forget things, or have trouble concentrating and learning. Their mood may change often, and they might feel sad, anxious, or get easily upset.
• Speech and Language Difficulties: These conditions can make it hard for a person to speak clearly or swallow food and drinks. Speech may be slow or slurred.
• Breathing Problems: Breathing may become hard, even during light activity. This happens when the nervous system cannot control the muscles used for breathing.

What are the Causes of Neurological Disorders?

These neurological disorders can be caused by:

• Genetic mutations
• Issues in the development of the nervous system (from birth)
• Injuries or damage to the brain, spinal cord, or nerves
• Infections
• Tumors
• Stroke

What is the Diagnosis of Neurological Disorders?

A doctor or specialist will do a neurological exam to check how well the nervous system is working. Other tests may be required to figure out the cause of the symptoms and get the right diagnosis. These tests might include:

• Blood Tests: Analyzes your blood sample to determine health conditions
• EEG (electroencephalogram): Checks brain activity
• EMG (electromyography): Checks muscle activity
• MRI or CT Scan: Takes pictures of your brain and spine
• Nerve Conduction Study: Measures how fast nerves send signals
• Spinal Tap (lumbar puncture): Checks the fluid around your brain and spine
• Sleep Study: Checks for sleep-related problems

What is the Treatment for Neurological Disorders?

Treatment depends on the type of disorder and its symptoms. Common treatments include:

• Medications
• Assistive devices (like braces or wheelchairs)
• Physical therapy to help with movement
• Occupational therapy to help with daily activities
• Speech therapy
• Surgery
• Clinical trials (testing new treatments)

How to Prevent Neurological Disorders?

Not all neurological disorders can be prevented. However, it is possible to reduce the risk of injury or damage to the nervous system by:

• Taking care of your overall health.
• Protecting yourself during risky activities.
• Wearing a helmet when playing contact sports or engaging in activities with a risk of head injury.

Neurological disorders can range from mild to severe. Early recognition of symptoms is key to managing them effectively. By staying informed and seeking medical help, individuals can reduce the impact of these conditions.

Thus, it is advised to have health insurance to secure your health and finances during critical times. At Star Health, our insurance policies cover neurological disorders. We also provide hassle-free claim settlements with reduced turnaround time across 14,000 network hospitals in India.

Also Read:

→ What Blood Disorder Has Bone Marrow

→ What is a Genetic Disorder

→ What is Reactive Attachment Disorder, Disinhibited Type

→ What is a Metabolic Disorder