Structural, biochemical or electrical abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord or other nerves can result in a range of symptoms. Examples of symptoms include paralysis, muscle weakness, poor coordination, loss of sensation, seizures, confusion, pain and altered levels of consciousness .
How may a person with a neurological impairment be affected by their disability?
Neurological disability — sometimes referred to as neurological disorders — involves damage to the nervous system that results in some mental or bodily function loss. This type of disability can be caused by infections, heart attacks, genetic disorders or lack of oxygen. The effects will vary from person to person .
What does it mean to be neurologically impaired?
The capacity of the nervous system is limited or impaired with difficulties exhibited in one or more of the following areas: the use of memory, the control and use of cognitive functioning, sensory and motor skills, speech, language, organizational skills, information processing, affect, social skills, or basic life ...
What are some examples of neurological impairment?
- Epilepsy.
- Alzheimer's Disease, and other types of dementia.
- Migraines.
- Strokes.
- Parkinson's Disease.
- Multiple Sclerosis.
- Cerebral Palsy and more.
What is the symptoms of neurological problems?
- Persistent or sudden onset of a headache.
- A headache that changes or is different.
- Loss of feeling or tingling.
- Weakness or loss of muscle strength.
- Loss of sight or double vision.
- Memory loss.
- Impaired mental ability.
- Lack of coordination.
What neurological disorders cause balance problems?
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
- Labyrinthitis.
- Meniere's disease.
- Vestibular neuronitis.
- Perilymph fistula.
What does a neurologist do?
Neurologists are specialists who treat diseases of the brain and spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles . Neurological conditions include epilepsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease.
Does neurological mean brain?
Neurological disorders are diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system . In other words, the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, peripheral nerves, nerve roots, autonomic nervous system, neuromuscular junction, and muscles.
What neurological disorders can put you in a wheelchair?
- Alzheimer's Disease.
- Amputations.
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Cerebral Palsy (CP)
- Diabetes.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Muscular Dystrophy.
- Parkinson's Disease.
What are the most common neurological conditions?
- Headaches. Headaches are one of the most common neurological disorders and can affect anyone at any age. ...
- Epilepsy and Seizures. ...
- Stroke. ...
- ALS: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. ...
- Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. ...
- Parkinson's Disease.
What are the five components of a neurological examination?
- Mental status. ...
- Motor function and balance. ...
- Sensory exam. ...
- Newborn and infant reflexes. ...
- Reflexes in the older child and adult. ...
- Evaluation of the nerves of the brain. ...
- Coordination exam:
What causes a person to lose their balance?
Causes of balance problems include medications, ear infection, a head injury , or anything else that affects the inner ear or brain. Low blood pressure can lead to dizziness when you stand up too quickly.
What happens when the nervous system malfunctions?
You may experience the sudden onset of one or more symptoms, such as: Numbness , tingling, weakness, or inability to move a part or all of one side of the body (paralysis). Dimness, blurring, double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes. Loss of speech, trouble talking, or trouble understanding speech.
What causes weakness and loss of balance?
Loss of balance or unsteadiness
Losing your balance while walking, or feeling imbalanced, can result from: Vestibular problems . Abnormalities in your inner ear can cause a sensation of a floating or heavy head and unsteadiness in the dark. Nerve damage to your legs (peripheral neuropathy).
What kind of neurological problems cause dizziness?
The most common conditions are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular migraine, Menière's disease and vestibular neuritis/labyrinthitis . Unfortunately, each of these conditions can produce symptoms very similar to those of stroke or TIA, so careful attention to symptom details is required.
What conditions can a neurologist diagnose?
A neurologist is a medical doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system including, but not limited to, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), concussion, epilepsy, migraine, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and stroke .
How does a neurologist check for nerve damage?
Frequently the neurologist will recommend electrodiagnostic testing to measure the electrical activity of muscles and nerves. If necessary, the neurologist may also recommend a nerve biopsy, a spinal tap or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
What is a chronic neurological condition?
Chronic neurological diseases — Alzheimer's disease , Parkinson's disease, dystonia, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), Huntington's disease, neuromuscular disease, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, to mention only a few — afflict millions of Americans worldwide and account for tremendous morbidity and mortality.
When should someone see a neurologist?
Your doctor might refer you to a neurologist if you're having symptoms that could be caused by a neurological condition , such as pain, memory loss, trouble with balance, or tremors. A neurologist can order specialized testing to help diagnose your condition.
Is anxiety a neurological disorder?
And although anxiety causes no known neurological damage , it still creates symptoms such as: Tingling hands and feet – Both adrenaline and hyperventilation (symptoms of anxiety) can lead to the development of tingling hands and feet.
Can nerve damage put you in a wheelchair?
For some, neuropathy symptoms progress rapidly—from asymptomatic to wheelchair-bound within a year or two. For others, neuropathy evolves slowly over many years. However, in each case, the problem will not go away on its own.
What is the most difficult thing for wheelchair users?
Some of the typical issues that wheelchair users have include small corridors in older buildings, parking lots that are challenging to get around, even just shopping or going to visit loved ones. Don't forget uneven surfaces or steep slopes that are impossible to self-propel a manual wheelchair.
How does the nervous system affect human behavior?
Your nervous system guides almost everything you do, think, say or feel. It controls complicated processes like movement, thought and memory . It also plays an essential role in the things your body does without thinking, such as breathing, blushing and blinking.
What might happen to human body if one part of the nervous system fails?
Paralysis occurs when communication between the brain and spinal cord fails. This can result from injury to neurons in the brain (a stroke), or in the spinal cord.
What is the finger to nose test?
Description. The Finger-to-Nose-Test measures smooth, coordinated upper-extremity movement by having the examinee touch the tip of his or her nose with his or her index finger . On one variation of the test, the examiner holds out his or her finger, about an arm's length from the patient.
What is the most sensitive indicator of neurologic change?
Level of consciousness
Consciousness (a state of awareness of oneself and the environment) is the most sensitive indicator of neurological change.
Why am I so unsteady on my feet?
What causes a balance disorder? Inner ear problems are common causes of a balance disorder, especially in younger people. Other causes can include medicine side effects, vision problems, problems with nerves in the legs or feet, allergies, infections, arthritis, anxiety, low blood pressure, and dehydration.
Do you lose balance because of dizziness or do you ever lose?
However, if a person has a condition that affects the brain or inner ear , they may experience a loss of balance, spinning sensations, unsteadiness, lightheadedness, or dizziness. Loss of balance can occur for a range of reasons, including ear infections, head injuries, medication, and neurological disorders.
Does neuropathy affect balance?
Peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of the sensory nerves that can cause serious balance deficits . If neuropathy affects the feet, then there is no input to the brain to indicate where the feet are. This often results in tripping, stumbles and falls.
What kind of questions does a neurologist ask?
Questions To Discuss With Your Neurologist
What kind of tests do I need, and do they require any special preparation? What is the most likely cause of my condition? What side effects can I expect, and what to do if they appear? What are the best treatment options for my diagnosis?
Why do I feel floaty and disconnected?
The floating sensation or feeling unbalanced is often associated with vertigo or an inner ear infection that can cause imbalance. Other causes of a floating feeling include atrial fibrillation or temporomandibular joint dysfunction disorder.
Why does your balance get worse with age?
As we age, we lose balance function through loss of sensory elements , the ability to integrate information and issue motor commands, and because we lose musculoskeletal function. Diseases common in aging populations lead to further deterioration in balance function in some patients.
What causes difficulty walking in a straight line?
Nerve damage is most commonly caused by diabetes , however it can also be the result of infection, trauma, alcoholism, nutrient deficiencies, trauma, autoimmune diseases and medications, such as side effects from chemotherapy.
