A condition that impacts the nervous system is recognized as a neurological disorder. The nervous system consists of the nerves along with their controlled muscles, the spinal cord, and the brain.
Neurologists are challenged in diagnosing neurological disorders, with their primary resource being the patient’s medical history and symptoms. The United Nations estimates as many as “1 in every 6 of the world’s population is affected with a neurological condition.”
In the same way, the disease can be more successfully treated when diagnosed early; there are better treatment opportunities when a neurological condition is identified sooner rather than later.
Reputable, qualified facilities like Abilities Neuro Rehab provide evidence-based treatment programs for patients for early symptomatology of common conditions like a seizure, headaches, stroke, dementia, and on.
Let us look at some of the more recognized disorders and the treatments that are currently being implemented for these.
Recognized Neurological Conditions and Current Treatment Plans
Diagnosing neurological disorders is not a cut-and-dry process for neurologists. The professionals are limited in their resources to the symptoms the patient describes and their medical profile. According to the United Nations, a significant number of people are impacted by a condition.
The priority is identifying symptoms early to ensure the best evidence-based treatment options to control the progression. Go to https://activebeat.com/your-health/7-health-facts-about-neurological-disorders/? For facts on neurological disorders, and then let’s look at some of the most recognized diseases and how professional neurological teams are implementing treatment plans to control the symptoms.
- Headaches or migraine
A migraine is a type of headache accompanied by severe pain that can endure for hours, potentially lasting as long as a few days. The pain is often debilitating and can include nausea and vomiting with other potential physical symptoms.
The indication is a migraine has four stages, but not all sufferers will experience each of these.
- The pro-drome stage happens prior to the attack.
The symptoms associated with this stage often include the following:
- An increase in thirst/urination
- Neck stiffness
- Mood changes
- Constipation
- Auras will occur either before or with the migraine but do not affect everyone suffering from the condition.
Not all people suffering from migraines will experience auras. These symptoms show up as follows:
- Jerking or another uncontrolled movement
- Hearings sound like music
- Difficulty with speech
- Numbness/weakness in the face/one side of the body
- Vision loss
- Leg/arm weakness with pins/needles sensation
- Visual phenomena/experiencing flashes of bright lights or spots.
- The attack will last roughly “4 to 72 hours when untreated,” but the severity and frequency are unique for each individual.
- Lightheaded, possibly fainting.
- Blurry vision
- Nausea/vomiting
- Light/sound sensitivity, along with the possibility for touch/smell, also
- Pulsing or throbbing pain experienced on either one or both sides of the head.
- The post-drome stage happens once the attack is over and endures for roughly “24 hours.”
- Sound/light sensitivity
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Mood changes
- Confusion
- Treatment options
Medication management is one of the evidence-based treatments currently including Botox injections, over-the counters, anti-depressants, Triptans, and anti-seizure medications as the top considerations. Go here for many of the common drugs used in the treatment of neurological disorders.
- Multiple sclerosis or MS
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disorder affecting the spinal cord, optic nerves, and the brain. The condition creates difficulty with basic body functions, including balance, muscle control, and vision. Some symptomatology associated with MS includes the following:
- Walking challenges
- Difficulty remembering or focusing.
- Poor bowel/bladder control
- Pain along with numbness/tingling
- Muscle spasm/weakness
- Fatigue
- Double or blurry vision
The effects of MS vary from one individual to the next. Some experience mild symptoms that will not require an ongoing care plan, while others are impacted severely to the point that their quality of life is diminished.
The evidence-based treatment most utilized for these sufferers is often occupational and physical therapies, medication management, and the most current developments in neuroscience for symptom management and the optimum quality of life.
- Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder of the nervous system impacting speech and body movement. Some most common symptoms associated with the disease include the following:
- Tremors that usually start in the fingers/hands
- Challenges or changes in writing
- Slurred or changes with speech.
- Diminished body movements, including smiling, blinking, and the ability to swing arms as you walk.
- A stooped posture
- Difficulty with balance
- Range of motion is restricted by muscle stiffness.
- Movement slows, including walking in shorter strides.
Neurologists are still working to find a cure for this disease. The current evidence-based method for controlling symptoms is through approved medications with noticeable changes in patients’ daily lives. The neurologist could suggest surgical procedures for symptom control with progression.
In addition, it is recommended that patients become involved with physical therapy, an aerobic exercise program, speech therapy, and stretching routines, all in an effort to improve body movement.
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Dementia describes the mental decline that affects skills, including social and intellectual, memory, and general reasoning capacity. Alzheimer’s disease degenerates the brain cells causing them to die. This commonly causes dementia. The following are signs and symptoms associated with these conditions.
- Delusions, feeling something has been taken from you.
- Wandering
- Sleeping habits change
- A sudden loss of trust, including with those you love.
- Mood changes leaning toward aggressive or irritable behavior.
- Isolating
- Depression
- Personality/behavior changes
- Forgetting what everyday objects are called or the names of loved ones.
- Becoming lost easily, even in familiar areas
- Putting items in unusual spots and misplacing things easily
- Forgetting important occasions, appointments, or discussions with no recollection of later
- Repeating comments or asking questions without recognizing these conversations already took place.
There are medications used to help control cognitive changes and memory symptoms as long as possible, but scientists are still working towards a cure for this disorder.
Final Thought
Neurological disorders present a conundrum for neurologists and scientists attempting to find an evidence-based treatment that will be the final answer to beating the diseases.
Currently, the evidence-based treatments implemented are meant to control symptoms to give sufferers the best quality of life possible as these disorders progress.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.