The top 5 common nervous system disorders are:
1. Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurring seizures that can cause physical and/or mental disabilities.
2. Multiple Sclerosis (MS): MS is an auto-immune disease in which the body’s own immune system begins attacking the myelin sheaths that protect the nerve cells, eventually leading to nerve damage.
3. Alzheimer’s Disease: Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, with symptoms including memory loss, difficulties with language and motor control, among others.
4. Parkinson’s Disease: Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that results in impaired movement and coordination.
5. Stroke: Strokes occur when a blood vessel supplying oxygen to the brain is blocked, damaging nerve cells and causing a range of neurological symptoms.
What are 5 disorders that harm the nervous system?
1. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): This is an injury to the brain caused by a physical trauma such as a sports injury, a car accident, or any other type of physical trauma. It can lead to long-term cognitive and physical problems, including changes in behavior, altered thinking, and an increased risk of developing other neurological illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
2. Parkinson’s Disease: This is a progressive, degenerative disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. It can cause tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. As the disease progresses, it can also lead to difficulties with speaking, swallowing, and problems with thinking, memory, and behavior.
3. Multiple Sclerosis: This is an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks the insulating sheath (myelin) that surrounds the nerve fibers. This disrupts the signals that nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord send to the body and can lead to a number of symptoms, including vision problems, weakness, paralysis, tingling and numbness, fatigue, dizziness, and difficulty thinking.
4. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): This is a progressive neurological disorder in which the nerve cells that control muscle movement gradually die, leading to increasing weakness and eventually paralysis.
It can also cause difficulties with speaking, swallowing, and breathing.
5. Epilepsy: This is a disorder of the nervous system that causes seizures due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can cause physical symptoms, such as muscle spasms, jerking or shaking, or changes in behavior and consciousness.
In some cases, seizures can disrupt normal everyday activities and put the person at risk for accidents.
How do you know if you have a nervous system disorder?
If you have a nervous system disorder, it may be difficult to detect initially as the symptoms vary greatly. Typically, if you have any unusual sensations or changes to your physical health, it is important to ensure that you seek medical advice.
Common signs and symptoms associated with nervous system disorders include chronic pain, weakness, dizziness, tingling, numbness, loss of balance or coordination, changes to vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, changes to bladder or bowel control, breathing or heart rate issues, increased fatigue, or some combination of these.
If any of these things persist or worsen, it’s important to speak with your doctor about the possibility of having a nervous system disorder. Additionally, it can be beneficial to keep a log of your symptoms and discuss this information with your doctor.
Your doctor will ask questions about how long your symptoms have been occurring, how often and when they occur, etc., before making a diagnosis. They may also order tests such as an X-ray or MRI scan.
It is important to be as thorough as possible when describing your symptoms and to listen carefully to your doctor’s advice.
What does a neurologist do on your first visit?
On your first visit to a neurologist, they may take a detailed medical history and ask questions about your current symptoms. In some cases, they may also review medical records or any prior imaging or test results.
Your neurologist will then conduct a physical examination, which may involve traditional neurological tests such as checking your vision, hearing, muscle strength and reflexes, as well as assessing your sensation and coordination.
Additionally, the neurologist might perform a cognitive or psychological evaluation, or recommend other tests or procedures such as blood work, EEG, MRI or CT scan, in order to gain further insight into the cause of your symptoms.
Depending on the findings, your neurologist may provide a diagnosis and/or suggest treatment options.
