Neurological Diseases and Disorders

There are a plethora of neurological diseases and disorders that can affect one’s life. If you think one is affecting you, it is in your best interest to be informed and to seek help. Below is a list containing some neurological diseases and disorders that the Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures can help with.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a disorder in which a person has recurring, unprovoked seizures. Unprovoked means that there is no discernible trigger to cause a seizure to occur, they simply happen. Recurring means that the seizures are common, specifically that you have at minimum two unprovoked seizures with more than 24 hours between them or if you have a high risk of future seizures.

Epilepsy is actually one of the most common neurological disorders affecting approximately 2.2 million people in America or about 0.5%. The exact cause for epilepsy has not been identified by doctors and researchers, but possible causes include tumors, damaged neurotransmitters in your brain, and brain damage.

Seizures

A seizure is an event in which the body will shake uncontrollably due to abnormal neurological imbalances in the brain. The misfiring of neurons can create shaking on both sides of the body but it can also occur in only a select area. While seizures are typically associated with epilepsy, going through a seizure does not mean you have epilepsy.

Seizures that are nonepileptic often have a trigger that provokes them. It could be a stroke, infection, or very high fever causing issues in the brain. It could also be due to electrolyte imbalances, withdrawals from addictive substances, or severe brain damage.

Severe Headaches & Migraines

Headaches are an issue almost all of us are familiar with. Sometimes the pressure and throbbing pain in your brain may be a bit more than your usual headache. Headaches are caused by either primary or secondary conditions.

Primary headaches occur due to issues directly with your head or neck. These types of headaches are triggered by muscle tension, chemical changes in your brain, nerve issues, and blood vessel issues near the surface or base of the brain. Migraines and tension headaches are among the most common primary headaches.

Secondary headaches occur due to issues related to a different, underlying health condition. The list of health complications that can cause secondary headaches in some way is exhaustive. A quick list of some of the complications is a traumatic brain injury, jaw problems, sinus infections, bacterial and viral infections like the flu or a cold, or concussions.

If you would like to learn more about neurological diseases and disorders, or you would like to schedule a diagnostic appointment, please call 732-856-5999.