Neurology – Study of Nervous Disorders

21st Century has seen the advent of several new diseases which have affected human life all over the world. Detecting the type of disease ailing a human body has become very difficult. However, doctors and scientists are working day and night to find a cure for these diseases.

A disease can affect any normal functioning organ of a human body. Certain diseases even affect the brain, spinal cord and nerves, which together make up the nervous system of the body. These diseases which affect the nervous system of the body are collectively termed as neurological diseases. The study of such neurological problems is called neurology and the doctor who treats and diagnoses such problems is called a neurologist. The best neurologist in India or elsewhere can specialize in a particular type of disease and work towards it in order to cure the patient.

Typically, aneurologist treats any injury, disorder or illness, which affects the nervous system of the body. The nervous system consists of two parts:

1. Central nervous system
2. Outermost nervous system of the body

A neurological disorder may affect the normal functioning of a body. The individual may have problem of speaking, eating, breathing, memorizing and even walking. There is no end to kind of diseases which affect the nervous system. However, some of the most common disorders are listed below:

Alzheimer’s disease:

It’s a progressive brain disorder which cannot be cured. Patients with an Alzheimer’s disease have problem thinking and memorizing things properly. It mostly occurs during old age when a patient turns 60 or more. The main reason according to doctors for Alzheimer’s disease is the damage to the nerve cells which transmit messages to the brain. It’s considered to be the most deadly nervous disorder with no cure.

Epilepsy:

It is a form of nervous disorder where the brain does not transmit message properly to other parts of the body. The messages transmitted for a particular movement gets mixed abnormally which results in seizures and improper conduct of activities.

Strokes:

Under this type of disorder, the oxygen supply to the brain gets diminished. The brain cells which survive on the basis of this oxygen supply either get reduced in number or die completely. This can happen due to a blood clot which restricts the movement of the oxygen to the brain.

Encephalitis:

Some nervous disorders are caused due to infectious diseases. These infections can be caused due to a virus, bacteria or fungi which can enter the human body through water, air or food. These infections can lead to inflammation of the normal brain and can cause something called Encephalitis. It affects the normal functioning of the brain and various functions it performs.

Parkinson’s disease:

It’s a form of nervous disorder where the individual is not able to control his/her normal body movements. This happens when the cells which create dopamine, a substance which transmits message from brain to other body parts, tend to diminish. It begins with little tremors i.e. shaking of hands and can lead to hardening of body. It is more common in men than in women.

Spinal cord and brain tumour:

Tumour is a form of nervous disorder in which the nerve cells multiply number of times which can lead to creation of unwanted tissue in the body. This tumour in spinal cord and brain is termed as primary tumour. These tumours if not treated properly can even turn cancerous.

Migraine:

Abnormal functioning of the brain can cause problems in the blood vessels and the nerves which transmit messages in the body. This can lead to severe headaches which can last for a longer period. Reasons for this disorder can be hereditary or certain environmental factors like excessive light and heat along with intense physical activity.

Split spine:

It is a condition where the spinal cord of a new born baby fails to grow properly in womb of the mother. It is a rare form of nervous disorder which can happen due to improper nutrition during growth years or due to genetic disorders which runs in the family. It is important to take complete care of the baby suffering from this disease.

Apart from all such disorders,a neurologist treats even simplest of the problems which affect the nervous system of the body. It is the responsibility of the patient to consult a neurologist when he/she face certain problems that may require attention. These can be confusion, loss of memory and even loss of balance. These symptoms are the triggers and proper treatment and guidance from the neurologist is essential.