Neurology Conditions

Neurology Conditions

Acoustic Neuroma

An acoustic neuroma is a rare, slow-growing, benign tumor that develops on the nerves of the inner ear responsible for balance or hearing. Though typically benign, an acoustic neuroma can cause hearing loss, neurological dysfunction, and even threaten life if left untreated. 

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease is the most commonly diagnosed form of dementia - a general term referring to a loss of memory and intellectual abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. Patients experience a gradual and eventually fatal destruction of brain cells - causing memory loss, interfering with the person's normal thought and behavior, and worsening their condition over time. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's. 

Aphasia

Aphasia is a speech and language impairment disorder that results from damage to the brain - usually from a stroke or head injury. Patients may have trouble speaking, understanding speech, reading, and writing.  

Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)

An arteriovenous malformation (or AVM) is a fragile, tangled defect of the circulatory system that develops before or soon after birth and often goes undetected - causing symptoms like headaches, back pain, and seizures as well as having the potential to rupture and cause bleeding into the brain or body. Though an AVM can form in any part of the body, those located in the brain and spine will have the most significant effects.  

Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger's Syndrome - often simply called Asperger's - is a form of autism that impairs one's ability to form friendships, understand social cues and metaphors, and show empathy. Individuals with Asperger's Syndrome have normal intelligence and speak fluently, but have a diminished capacity for social interaction and prefer routine and consistency. 

Autism

Autism is a developmental disability characterized by extreme difficulty with social interaction, difficulty with both verbal and non-verbal communication, routine behavior such as performing the same tasks in the same order every day, and rigid thought processes. Autism presents with varying degrees of impairment and has no cure. 

Brain Aneurysm

A brain aneurysm is a thin, weak spot in the wall of an artery within the brain. As blood pounds through the circulatory system, it causes the weaken area to swell and fill up like a balloon - and over time, the aneurysm has the potential to rupture and bleed into the brain. A ruptured aneurysm is often fatal and requires advanced surgery to repair. 

Brain Injury

Brain injury - sometimes called traumatic brain injury or brain damage - refers to traumatic damage to the brain that can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, changes in mood or behavior, problems with memory or cognition, or seizures. A brain injury typically results from some type of head trauma, and while there may be no way to reverse damage, occupational and speech/language therapy can help patients adapt. 

Brain Tumor

A brain tumor is an abnormal growth of cells within the brain. Tumors can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous); both varieties can put pressure on the brain and threaten life, health, and normal functioning. Tumors may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. 

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (formerly known as cerebral paralysis) refers to a series of brain disorders marked by abnormalities in the parts of the brain that control muscle movement. Symptoms include a lack of muscle coordination, spastic movements, and an awkward manner of walking; physical and occupational therapy can help individuals with cerebral palsy lead near-normal lives. The severity of symptoms may vary from patient to patient, and though there is no cure for cerebral palsy the disorder does not progressively worsen over time. 

Concussion

A concussion is a brain injury resulting from minor head trauma that can affect brain functioning - such as memory, speech, coordination, and reflexes. A concussion may also cause the patient to lose consciousness or experience severe headaches. Though most concussed patients will recover on their own within a few weeks, any head injury that causes unconsciousness should be treated by a doctor. 

Dementia

The term dementia refers to a group of neurological symptoms caused by various disorders that affect the brain, such as a stroke. People with dementia may experience changes in personality or mood, memory loss, delusions, or have trouble performing daily tasks. While there is no way to repair damage to the brain, drugs can help slow progression and control symptoms. 

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes recurrent, unprovoked seizures. The severity and frequency of seizures may vary from patient to patient, and a diagnosis of epilepsy would only be reached after ruling out any other medical condition that may cause seizures. Though there is no cure, medication and in severe cases, surgery can control the disease. 

Huntington's Disease

Huntington's Disease is a genetic, progressive, pre-programmed degeneration of neurons in certain areas of the brain - causing disturbances in motor function, emotion, and intellectual abilities. The disease is passed from parent to child; a child who has one parent with Huntington's has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the Huntington's gene, and any child who inherits the gene will eventually develop the disease. There is currently no cure for Huntington's. 

Insomnia

Insomnia refers to difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. Insomnia in itself is a symptom of a larger problem, not a diagnosis - behavioral treatments and medication can improve duration and quality of sleep. 

Migraine

Migraine headaches - caused by a disturbance in the functioning of blood vessels within the brain - causes symptoms like throbbing pain on one side of the head, nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, and some may experience mental fuzziness or mood disturbances before the headache begins. Though the cause is unclear, drug therapy and biofeedback training can help ease symptoms. 

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a degenerative nervous system disorder in which the body's own defense system attacks nerves - damaging them and interrupting signals from the brain. Symptoms of MS may vary in presence and severity and include numbness, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, pain, cognitive impairment, and fatigue. There is currently no cure, but many MS patients can lead normal, satisfying lives. 

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent bouts of sleepiness during waking hours - patients are known to fall asleep for several seconds to an hour at random times of the day. Antidepressant drug therapy as well as quality nighttime sleep can help narcoleptics stay awake during the day. 

Neuralgia

Neuralgia is a pain caused by nerve damage that follows the path of that nerve through the body - often feeling like a stabbing or "shooting" sensation. Potential causes may include pressure or irritation on the nerve, tooth decay, nasal infection, malnutrition, or exposure to cold. 

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's Disease is a neurological condition marked by tremors, trembling in the hands and face, slow or stiff movement, and impaired balance and coordination caused by a lack of a chemical called dopamine in the brain. Although there is no cure for Parkinson's, drug therapy and surgery can greatly improve quality of life. 

Peripheral Neuropathy

The term peripheral neuropathy (or peripheral neuritis) refers to damage to the peripheral nervous system, which carries information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. There are over 100 different types of peripheral neuropathy, which symptoms ranging from numbness and muscle weakness to burning pain and paralysis. Causes may include nerve trauma, exposure to toxins, autoimmune responses, or infections. 

Pinched Nerves

Pinched nerves occur when a nerve or set of nerves becomes damaged or injured - causing pain, numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in the injured area. A common example of a pinched nerve is the sensation of a limb "falling asleep" - though damage can also be more severe and permanent. 

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Restless Leg Syndrome, or RLS, is a neurological disorder marked by irresistible urges to move the legs - especially at night or when the individual is resting. Symptoms - including sleeplessness, tugging, gnawing, or "creepy-crawly" sensations - may improve when the legs are in movement. Medication may help ease symptoms. 

Seizure

A seizure is a sudden, uncontrollable surge of electrical activity in the brain - causing convulsions, tremors, rapid heart rate and breathing, loss of consciousness, inability to move, and other sensory and emotional symptoms. While many medical conditions like infection or brain damage can cause seizures, a patient may be diagnosed with epilepsy upon having multiple seizures with no clear cause. 

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief pauses in breathing during sleep - followed by snorting or choking sounds as normal breathing resumes. This greatly decreases the patient's quality of sleep as well as increases one's risk for heart arrhythmias and heart failure. Lifestyle changes, breathing devices, and surgery can improve the condition. 

Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury refers to some kind of damage - such as physical trauma or a disease - that results in a loss of spinal cord function. While the most well-known effects of spinal cord injuries are conditions of severe paralysis like paraplegia and quadriplegia, the severity of a patient's mobility loss may depend on the extent and location of the damage. 

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal column, putting pressure on the spinal cord and causing pain in the neck or back, weakness in the arms or legs, and numbness. Spinal stenosis mostly occurs in adults over age fifty, and physical therapy and medication can help ease symptoms. 

Transient Ischemic Stroke

Transient ischemic stroke (also called transient ischemic attack, TIA, or "mini-stroke") is a small stroke producing symptoms such as numbness of the hands and face, tingling, confusion, trouble speaking, and loss of balance. While these symptoms are similar to those of an ischemic stroke, they tend to last for no more than five minutes and damage is not permanent. A TIA is caused by a temporary arterial blockage and indicates that the individual may have a larger stroke in the future. 

Stroke

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel within the brain either bursts or becomes blocked by a blood clot - restricting blood flow within the brain and causing portions of it to begin to die. Symptoms include paralysis on one side of the body, memory loss, speech and language problems, and disturbances in balance and coordination. While some effects may be permanent, recovery from a stroke is possible - diet and lifestyle changes can help prevent an attack. 

Vertigo

Vertigo is a sensation of spinning or whirling, dizziness, faintness, and difficulty standing. Vertigo is often a symptom of some kind of neurological disturbance - typically a disorder of the inner ear.