CHRONIC

NEUROLOGICAL
DISORDERS
 What Are Neurological Disorders?
• Neurological disorders are conditions that affect how your
nervous system functions
• Disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves
•Involve both Central Nervous System (CNS) and Peripheral Nervous
System (PNS)
• CNS: Includes brain and spinal cord
•PNS: Comprises nerves and ganglia outside CNS
•Both systems can be affected by neurological disorders
•Common symptoms include:
•Paralysis, seizures, dizziness
•Loss of speech, balance, or vision
 TYPES
• There are hundreds of neurological disorders that exist. They fall into several
categories:
• Neurodegenerative conditions: Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis,
Parkinson’s disease.
• Neuromuscular conditions: Muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
.
• Brain conditions: Epilepsy, migraines and headache disorders, stroke,
traumatic brain injury.
• Spine conditions: Spina bifida, spinal cord injury, spinal muscular atrophy.
• Peripheral nerve conditions: Peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome,
Bell’s palsy.
What are the symptoms of neurological
disorders?
• Pain: Headache, back pain, neck pain.
• Muscle movement: Weakness, stiffness, tremor, spasms, paralysis, coordination
challenges, falls.
• Sensitivity changes: Numbness, tingling, hypersensitivity to touch and temperature,
loss of feeling.
• Changes to your senses: Vision loss, double vision, ringing in your ears, hearing loss,
loss of smell and taste, hallucinations, vertigo and loss of balance.
• Sleep problems: Difficulty falling asleep, daytime sleepiness,
uncontrollable movements during sleep, loud snoring.
• Consciousness changes: Fainting, seizures, coma.
• Cognitive impairment: Confusion, memory loss, trouble with concentration, learning
or processing information, mood changes.
• Speech and language difficulty: Slow speech, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing.
• Trouble breathing with minimal exertion.
What causes neurological
disorders?
• Genetic changes.
• Abnormal development of your nervous system (congenital
conditions).
• An injury or damage to parts of your nervous system.
• An infection.
• A tumor.
• A stroke.
• The cause varies based on the type of neurological disorder. Some
neurological disorders have unknown causes.
Diagnosis and Tests
• Blood tests.
• EEG (electroencephalogram).
• EMG (electromyography).
• Imaging tests (MRI or CT scan).
• Nerve conduction study.
• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture).
[Link] study.
[Link] Tests
•Check for infections, autoimmune diseases, vitamin deficiencies, or metabolic issues that may affect nerve function.
[Link] (Electroencephalogram)
•Measures electrical activity in the brain.
•Used to diagnose epilepsy, seizure disorders, brain inflammation, and sleep disorders.
[Link] (Electromyography)
•Assesses muscle and nerve function by measuring electrical signals in muscles.
•Helps diagnose muscle disorders, nerve damage, or conditions like ALS.
[Link] Tests
•MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and CT (Computed Tomography) scans provide detailed images of the brain and spinal cord.
•Useful in identifying tumors, strokes, MS, or structural abnormalities.
[Link] Conduction Study
•Measures how quickly electrical impulses travel through a nerve.
•Helps diagnose nerve damage, carpal tunnel syndrome, or neuropathies.
[Link] Tap (Lumbar Puncture)
•Involves collecting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal canal.
•Diagnoses infections (like meningitis), bleeding, or multiple sclerosis.
[Link] Study (Polysomnography)
•Monitors brain waves, oxygen levels, heart rate, and breathing during sleep.
How are neurological disorders
treated?
• Treatment for neurological disorders could include:
• Medications.
• Using assistive devices.
• Physical therapy or occupational therapy.
• Speech therapy.
• Surgery.
Dementia
• Dementia is a complex condition characterized by a decline in cognitive abilities
that significantly impacts daily life.
• It is caused by various diseases that damage brain cells and their connections.
• Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of symptoms caused by damage to brain
cells, leading to a decline in memory, thinking, language, problem-solving, and
social abilities.
• PROGRESSIVE NATURE: It is a chronic and progressive condition, meaning
symptoms gradually worsen over time.
• NOT NORMAL AGING: While more common in older adults, dementia is not a
normal part of the aging process.
• IMPACT: It affects a person's ability to perform everyday activities and can lead to
personality and behavioral changes.
Signs of Dementia
• The signs of dementia vary depending on the affected brain area and underlying cause, but commonly
include:
• MEMORY LOSS: Forgetting recent events, names, faces, or frequently asking repetitive questions, interfering
with daily routines.
• DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING AND PLANNING: Struggling with complex tasks, decision-making, problem-
solving, or managing finances.
• LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS: Trouble finding the right words, following conversations, or
understanding what others are saying.
• CONFUSION AND DISORIENTATION: Becoming confused about time, place, or getting lost in familiar
environments.
• PERSONALITY AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGES: Reduced empathy, inappropriate behavior, social withdrawal,
increased anxiety, apathy, or suspicion.
• MOVEMENT AND COORDINATION ISSUES: Uncoordinated movements, tremors, stiffness, or difficulty walking
in some types of dementia.
• SLEEP PATTERN DISTURBANCES: Significant changes in sleep habits, such as waking up frequently or
experiencing REM sleep behavior disorder.
• LOSS OF SMELL: An early symptom in some dementias, where the ability to identify odors is impaired.
• IMPAIRED JUDGMENT: Making poor decisions or struggling with logical reasoning.
Causes of Dementia
• Dementia is primarily caused by damage to brain cells due to various underlying
conditions. Here are the main causes:
• Alzheimer's Disease: The most common cause, involving abnormal protein buildup
(plaques and tangles) that damages brain cells.
• Vascular Dementia: Caused by damage to blood vessels in the brain, often from
strokes or blockages, leading to impaired blood flow.
• Lewy Body Dementia: Characterized by abnormal protein deposits (Lewy bodies)
that disrupt brain function.
• Frontotemporal Dementia: Involves the degeneration of brain cells in the frontal
and temporal lobes, affecting behavior, personality, and language.
• Mixed Dementia: A combination of two or more types of dementia, frequently
Alzheimer's and vascular dementia.
EPILEPSY
• Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by a tendency to
have recurrent, unprovoked seizures.
• A seizure is a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain that can
cause a range of symptoms, from brief lapses of awareness to
convulsions.
• Epilepsy is not contagious and can affect people of all ages, races, and
ethnic backgrounds.
 •Brain tumors: Tumors can disrupt brain function and trigger seizures.

CAUSES
• Brain structure abnormalities: Structural changes in the brain can disrupt normal
electrical activity, leading to seizures.
• Genetic factors: In some cases, epilepsy can be inherited or caused by genetic
mutations.
• Infections: Certain infections, such as meningitis or encephalitis, can damage the
brain and increase the risk of epilepsy.
• Stroke: A stroke can deprive the brain of oxygen, potentially causing damage that
leads to seizures.
• Brain tumors: Tumors can disrupt brain function and trigger seizures.
• Head trauma: Injuries to the head can cause damage to the brain, increasing the
risk of epilepsy.
• Metabolic disorders: Imbalances in the body's chemistry can also contribute to
seizures.
• Autoimmune conditions: Some autoimmune diseases can affect the brain and
cause epilepsy.
SYMPTOMS
• :Seizures can manifest in different ways, including:
• Loss of consciousness: Some seizures cause a brief or prolonged loss
of awareness.
• Muscle spasms or convulsions: Seizures can involve uncontrollable
twitching or jerking movements of the body.
• Staring spells: Some seizures are characterized by a blank stare for a
few seconds.
• Sensory disturbances: Unusual sensations, such as smells, tingling, or
visual changes, can occur before or during a seizure.
• Behavioral changes: Unusual behavior, like fidgeting or confusion,
may be a sign of a seizure.
DIAGNOSIS
• Diagnosis of epilepsy typically involves:
• Medical history and physical exam:A doctor will gather information
about the person's medical history, symptoms, and perform a physical
examination.
• Neurological exam: This assesses the person's brain function, reflexes,
and other neurological indicators.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG):An EEG records brainwave activity and
can help identify abnormal electrical patterns associated with seizures.
• Brain imaging:MRI or CT scans can help identify structural
abnormalities in the brain that may be causing seizures.
STROKE
• A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), occurs when blood
flow to part of the brain is interrupted, causing brain cells to die due to lack of
oxygen and nutrients.
• This can lead to lasting brain damage, disability, or even death. Strokes are
medical emergencies, and prompt treatment is crucial to minimize damage.
• Types of Stroke:
• Ischemic Stroke:
• The most common type, accounting for about 87% of strokes. It happens
when a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain, preventing blood flow.
• Hemorrhagic Stroke:
• Occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds into the
surrounding tissue. This can be caused by a weakened blood vessel or high
Symptoms:
• Symptoms can vary depending on the type and location of the stroke,
but common signs include:
• Facial drooping: One side of the face may droop or feel numb.
• Arm weakness: Difficulty raising one or both arms, or one arm drifting
down.
• Speech difficulty: Slurred speech or trouble understanding language.
• Vision problems: Sudden vision loss, blurred vision, or double vision.
• Dizziness or loss of balance: Difficulty walking, stumbling, or a sudden
loss of coordination.
• Severe headache: A sudden, intense headache with no known cause.
PREVENTION:
• While some risk factors for stroke are unavoidable, many can be managed
through lifestyle changes:
• Controlling high blood pressure: Regular blood pressure checks and
medication if needed.
• Managing cholesterol levels: Healthy diet and medication if needed.
• Quitting smoking: Smoking increases the risk of stroke.
• Maintaining a healthy weight: Obesity increases the risk of stroke.
• Regular exercise: Physical activity helps to lower blood pressure and
cholesterol levels.
• Limiting alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can raise
blood pressure and increase the risk of stroke.
• Managing diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and