5 Common Neurological Conditions and Their Symptoms

5 Common Neurological Conditions and Their Symptoms : Neurological diseases are the diseases of the brain, spine and the nervous system. These diseases impact the functioning of these vital organs and influence the quality of life. Research shows that there are more than 600 types of neurological disorders that have been identified till date.

Such diseases may be attributed to a variety of causes, from birth defects to injury, aging, other health issues, and more. The impact of neurological diseases is far reaching, which is the reason that they should be identified and treated in time. Let us find out about five most prevalent neurological conditions and their symptoms:

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is an age-related neurological disorder that affects a major proportion of the aged population across the globe. It is a neurodegenerative condition, indicating that it progresses slowly over a period of time. The patient starts forgetting small things in the initial stages and gradually suffers complete memory loss. The progression of Alzheimer’s disease varies from person to person and it brings down the life expectancy of a patient. It is characterized by the following symptoms:

Short-term memory loss
Inability to remember people, places and directions
Sudden mood swings
Starting something but forgetting about it in between
Inability to take care of oneself

Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a motor systems disorder which leads to the degeneration of dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Like Alzheimer’s, this is also a progressive disease which worsens with the passage of time. The key causes of the condition are genetics and environmental factors. The following are the symptoms that indicate an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease:

Dementia and forgetfulness
Anxiety
Sleep-related issues
Depression
Erratic mood swings
Tremors and shaking of hands, mild or severe
Difficulty in walking
Other sensory issues

Migraine

Even though people fail to recognize migraine as a neurological issue, it is amongst the most prevalent ones. Atlanta neurology centers report that the condition affects three times the number of females as males. The patient experiences throbbing pain in one side of the head and the pain may last for long intervals, sometimes up to 72 hours. In addition to extreme headache, it may show the following symptoms:

Nausea
Sensitivity to light
Vision difficulties
Sensitivity to sound or smell
Speech problems

Epilepsy

Another common neurological condition that affects people of all age groups is epilepsy. It is manifested in the form of seizures, which may be momentary or may last long. Epileptic seizures may be caused by a variety of causes such as an injury, a congenital defect, an infection in the brain or after a stroke. They may happen occasionally or repeat time and again. The following are the symptoms of epilepsy:

Sudden tremors in hands and legs
Fainting spells
Confusion
Lack of awareness about the surroundings

Brain Tumor

Brain tumor refers to an uncontrolled, random and rapid growth of the brain cells. No definitive causes for these tumors have been established yet, neither have the risk factors been identified. These tumors can be benign or cancerous and can be removed by surgery. Surgical removal is regarded as the most effective treatment of brain tumors and it can significantly improve the patient’s life expectancy. The following are the symptoms of brain tumor:

Headaches that are new in occurrence and different in terms of severity
Unexplained nausea and vomiting
Problems in movement and sensation
Vision problems
Speech problems
Balancing problems

Being aware of these neurological conditions and their respective symptoms is extremely important. It can help you to be watchful and seek timely diagnosis of these issues. Timely diagnosis and treatment can be life saving.