The central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system constitute the nervous system of the body. The brain, spinal cord, and nerves are the organs of the nervous system. The nervous system is a critical organ system in our body that controls functions such as movement, speech, etc. When any of the organs of the nervous system doesn’t function properly due to some injury, infection, or any other problem, it leads to trouble in performing day to day functions such as walking, talking, breathing, moving, etc. You can also have problems associated with memory, learning, remembering, etc. The issues of the nervous system are known as neurological disorders, and the healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats these problems is a neurologist doctor.
Topics Covered
What are the Neurological disorders treated by a Neurologist?
There are approximately 600 neurological diseases. Some of them are;
- Genetic disorders, such as muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease.
- Developmental disorders such as spina bifida.
- Nerve degenerative diseases, which cause the nerve cell damage such as Alzheimer’s disease.
- Diseases caused by blockages in the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain, which can cause a stroke.
- Spinal cord and brain injuries.
- Irregularities in the electrical activity of the brain, which causes epilepsy and seizures.
- Tumours in the brain and spinal cord.
- Diseases due to infections caused by viruses and bacteria such as meningitis.
A neurologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all these disorders and many other disorders such as autism, ADHD, Bell’s Palsy, dementia, dyslexia, etc.
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder that occurs due to ageing. It is non-reversible and develops gradually over a time period. The main symptom of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, which is often confused with age-related memory loss. Here are some early symptoms of the disease.
- Memory loss
- Facing problem while working with numbers
- Finding it challenging to complete routine activities
- Losing track of time and place
- Difficulty in comprehending visual cues
- Difficulty in balance
- Trouble reading
- Forgetting words and difficulty in conversing
- Misplacing things
- Poor judgement and decision-making
- Mood swings
- Personality changes
If you or a family member exhibit one or more of these symptoms, it is time to consult a neurologist doctor for the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Is there a cure for Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s is a non-reversible neurological disorder. There is no cure for the disease. But diagnosing the symptoms of the disease at an early stage will help you to manage the symptoms better and slow down the progress of the disease.
A neurologist doctor uses medications and therapy to help manage the symptoms and lead a normal life for a longer duration.
What are the causes of Alzheimer’s disease?
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not yet known. However, neurologists believe that a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors cause the disease.
The irregularities in the functioning of brain proteins disrupt the neurons and make them lose connections and die. The process of damage to neurons starts in the region that controls the memory and spreads to other regions.
What are the risk factors that can cause Alzheimer’s disease?
According to experts, here are some risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
Age
Alzheimer’s is an age-related disorder. The risk of Alzheimer’s increases manifolds as you cross 65 years of age.
Gender
Women are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than men.
Family History
If anyone in your family suffers from the disease, then you are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s.
Down syndrome
Most of the people suffering from Down syndrome tend to develop Alzheimer’s between 30 and 40 years of age.
Head Injury
There is an increased threat of developing Alzheimer’s disease if you have a major head injury.
Other Health Conditions
Health problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc. increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
What are some tips to lead a normal life with Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease does not have any cure. Neurologist doctors prescribe therapy and medications to help patients cope with the symptoms and delay the process of brain damage.
Here are some simple tips to cope with the personality and behaviour problems that arise with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Chart out a daily routine and keep things simple.
- Provide reassurance from time-to-time that everything is okay, and you are always there to take care of the patient.
- Do not argue with the patient.
- It is hard to be a caretaker for a patient suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, but never lose your cool and never show frustration.
- Make them perform a daily exercise and have healthy nutrition.
- Use alternative therapies like music, dance, or art to distract the patient and keep them engaged.
- There are support groups both for the patients of Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Enrol in the groups for support and advice on how to deal with the disease.
Remember, there is help at hand whenever you need it. Consult a reputed neurologist doctor to treat some behavioural problems such as hallucinations, depression, etc.
