Top Most Common Neurological Disorders in 2024

Have you ever experienced a persistent headache, numbness in your limbs, or memory lapses? These could be signs of a neurological disorder. Neurological disorders are impairments of the nervous system that affect millions in the United States. As per the World Health Organization, over 1 in 3 people are affected by neurological conditions, making them the leading cause of illness and disability worldwide. In 2021 alone, over 3 billion people were living with a neurological condition.

From Alzheimer's disease to migraines, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease, these disorders vary widely but share significant consequences. Understanding their symptoms, causes, and treatments is essential. This blog will explore the most common neurological disorders, providing insights into their complexities and challenges. 

Understanding Neurological Disorders

The nervous system encloses several vital components like the brain, muscles, spinal cord, and nerves. It impacts various bodily functions, including swallowing, breathing, language, memory, perception, movement, and bowel and bladder control.

Any dysfunction in the nervous system can lead to neurological disorders, which can result in pain, weakness, numbness, and difficulty with movement or speech. The symptoms vary from person to person, depending on the condition and its severity. 

Patients need immediate intervention and the highest possible media care to manage the condition effectively.

7 Most Common Neurological Disorders

By understanding the causes and symptoms of common neurological disorders, you can seek early detection and appropriate treatment and avoid potential complications.

Here are the different types of neurological disorders you must know:

Alzheimer's Disease

It is a neurological disorder characterized by gradually deteriorating memory, cognitive abilities, and organizational skills. Over time, it impairs an individual's ability to perform everyday tasks. Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia.

Causes

• Age
• High blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Family history and genetics
• Poor diet
• Environmental factors

Symptoms

Alzheimer's disease begins with mild forgetfulness, including:

• Forgetting conversations or recent events
• Frequently misplacing items
• Repeating things

As the disease advances, language skills and the ability to perceive their surroundings or orientation can be affected, including:

• Unable to remember specific dates
• Difficulty navigating from one place to another
• Getting lost more easily
• Using incorrect words and names
• Difficulty planning, managing, and organizing things
• Cannot understand others’ conversations

Parkinson's Disease

It is a neurodegenerative disorder that involves the deterioration of a specific region in the brain, resulting in the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Although this condition primarily impacts muscle control, balance, and movement, it also affects cognitive function, sensory perception, and mental well-being.

Causes

• Hereditary
• Idiopathic Parkinson’s (incorrect shape of the protein, α-synuclein)
• Induced parkinsonism (Parkinson-like conditions resulting from encephalitis, medications, head injuries, and exposure to poison and toxins)

Symptoms

While the major symptom of the condition is muscle loss, other signs may include:

Motor-Related

• Stiffness or rigidity
• Slowed movements
• Tremors while at rest
• Unstable posture
• Soft speaking voice
• Trouble swallowing
• Drooling
• Abnormal blinking
• Mask-like facial expression

Non-Motor-Related

• Depression
• Sleep problems
• Loss of sense of smell
• Constipation
• Urinary incontinence
• Difficulty focusing or thinking

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

MS is a chronic autoimmune disorder that impacts the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). In this condition, the immune system erroneously targets and damages the myelin cells, which are the protective coverings of the central nervous system. Consequently, it disrupts the transmission of messages or signals that enable various bodily functions such as vision, sensation, and movement.

Causes

• Hereditary
• Low levels of vitamin D
• Exposure to Epstein-Barr virus or mononucleosis
• Smoking
• Exposure to secondhand smoke and pesticides
• Obesity during childhood

Symptoms

• Vision problems
• Muscle weakness
• Numbness
• Dizziness
• Mood changes
• Tremors
• Clumsiness
• Fatigue
• Cognitive impairment
• Imbalance

Epilepsy

It is a chronic condition characterized by recurrent seizures resulting from abnormal electrical signals generated by impaired brain cells. Seizures are triggered by a sudden surge of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain cells.

Causes

• Family history
• Head injuries
• Metabolic and immune disorders
• Brain infections
• Mesial temporal sclerosis
• Developmental disorders
• Brain conditions and brain vessel abnormalities (stroke, brain tumor, dementia, etc.)

Symptoms

• Temporary unconsciousness
• Numbness and tingling
• Muscle twitching or jerking
• Faster heart rate or breathing
• Temporary confusion, slowed thinking, and problems with talking and understanding
• Changes in vision, hearing, smell, and taste
• Upset stomach, waves of heat or cold, and goosebumps
• Lip-smacking, rubbing hands, and chewing and finger motions
• Fear and anxiety

Migraines

A migraine is an intense headache that causes pulsating, throbbing pain on one side of the head. Typically, the headache phase persists for four hours to several days. Strong odors, physical activity, loud noises, and bright light aggravate this headache.

Causes

• Hereditary
• Changes to your sleep
• Certain medications
• Missing a meal
• Stress
• Weather changes
• Excessive physical activity
• Hormonal changes
• Caffeine or tobacco

Symptoms

Symptoms vary based on the stages of the migraine, including:

• Prodrome: Frequent urination, fatigue, mood changes, nausea, trouble sleeping, etc.
• Aura: Difficulty concentrating/speaking, vision changes, tinnitus, muscle weakness, etc.
• Headache Attack: Nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to sound, light, and odor.
• Postdrome: Dizziness, stiff neck, difficulty concentrating, nausea, fatigue, etc.

Stroke

It is a severe medical emergency that occurs when a portion of the brain does not have adequate blood supply due to a blocked artery or bleeding. Consequently, the brain cells in the affected area begin to die due to oxygen deprivation.

Causes

• Atherosclerosis
• Brain tumors (including cancer)
• Chronic high blood pressure
• Heart defects
• Clotting disorders
• Brain aneurysms 
• Microvascular ischemic disease
• Atrial fibrillation 
• Diseases that weaken or cause unusual changes in blood vessels in your brain

Symptoms

• Paralysis
• Loss of muscle control on one side of the face
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty speaking
• Neck stiffness
• Seizures
• Memory loss
• Headaches
• Fainting
• Coma
• Vertigo
• Imbalance

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a comprehensive term for nerve disorders that impact a specific division of the nervous system. Various conditions can cause peripheral neuropathy, resulting in multiple symptoms.

Causes

• Genetic conditions
• Vitamin and nutrient deficiencies
• Tumors
• Alcohol use disorder
• Type 2 diabetes
• Trauma and surgery
• Infections
• Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
• Idiopathic neuropathy
• Medications and toxins
• Vascular disorders (circulation-related problems)

Symptoms

It causes different types of symptoms, including:

• Motor-Related: Uncontrolled muscle movements, weakness, paralysis, and muscle atrophy.
• Sensory-Related: Numbness, imbalance and clumsiness, tingling, and pain.
• Autonomic-Related: Sexual dysfunction, blood pressure changes, abnormal sweating, bowel and bladder problems, blurry vision, skin discoloration, etc.

Improve Your Quality of Life with Expert Neurological Care from Michigan Neurology Associates & Pain Consultants

At Michigan Neurology Associates & Pain Consultants, we offer comprehensive treatment and care for a wide range of neurological conditions. From stroke to Parkinson's, epilepsy, and migraines, our skilled and board-certified neurologists are dedicated to helping patients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Schedule an appointment today if you're experiencing challenges with your nervous system and need the highest possible medical intervention.

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 Content Source: who.int