An overview of Neurology and its Importance
Everything you do, like how you move, think, feel, speak and breathe is all under the control of the brain and nerves. Neurology covers any issue affecting the nerves, spinal cord and brain. A problem in this system can result in sudden headache, numbness in the hands, memory loss or issues in walking.
The positive side to this is that with early detection, most conditions of the nervous system can be well managed. Our team of neurologists at CritCare Hospital, Lucknow, works 24×7 to make sure that the patient understands what is occurring within him and is treated at the earliest.
When the Brain Loses its blood supply, it’s a Stroke
A stroke is a very serious brain emergency. It occurs when blood stops flowing to a section of the brain, usually due to a blockage in the blood vessel or a ruptured blood vessel. Brain cells start dying within minutes of the loss of blood.
There are four simple signs of a stroke that can be remembered with the word FAST: Face droops on one side, Arm weakness, Speech difficulties and Time to call for help immediately. Other symptoms involve sudden confusion, changes in vision or a very bad headache for no apparent reason.
Stroke is an emergency condition. Every minute matters. Quick access to a hospital with neurological care is crucial to a patient’s recovery and helps limit long-term damage.
Epilepsy: What is it More Than Just Seizures?
Epilepsy is often thought of as falling and convulsing. However, seizures can be very different in each individual. Others look away for a couple of seconds. Others may experience a sudden, overwhelming emotional response, an unusual smell, or sudden, uncontrollable jerking of one limb.
Epilepsy is a disorder in which the activity of the brain is disrupted over and over. It is not a mental illness; it is a medical condition – it’s like diabetes or high blood pressure. Most people who have epilepsy can live a normal life with the correct treatment. Where medicines are not effective, surgical treatments or nerve stimulation treatments are also available.
Migraine: Not Just a Bad Headache?
A migraine is much more severe than a typical headache. It is a neurological disorder and typically results in severe, pulsating pain, typically in one eye, that may last for a few hours to several days. Others also have light sensitivity, sound sensitivity and nausea/ vomiting.
A warning sign (or “aura”) may occur before the headache begins, such as flashing lights or blind spots, or tingling in the face or hands. Migraines can significantly impact a person’s life, making it difficult to work, go to school, or have a social life.
Knowing what situations trigger your migraines can be a huge help in controlling them. If you know what triggers you, it is a great help in controlling your migraines, e.g. stress, lack of sleep, certain foods or hormonal events. How often they happen can be significantly decreased by medicines and lifestyle changes.
Parkinson’s Disease: Movement-Related Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the brain which gradually alters the way the body gets around. The most noticeable symptoms are a shaking hand (particularly when at rest), muscle stiffness, slow movement and balance problems. Some people, over time, may also find that their speech or facial expressions are different.
Parkinson’s happens because of the progressive loss of functioning cells in a part of the brain that produces a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine plays a crucial role in coordinating and controlling movement. There is no cure, but effective treatments are available, such as medicine, physiotherapy and, in severe cases, a procedure called Deep Brain Stimulation, which can improve a patient’s quality of life.
Peripheral Neuropathy: Damaged nerves in the body
Not all nerve problems start in the brain. Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, which extend to the hands, feet and organs. Symptoms are most commonly a burning, tingling sensation (pins and needles) that usually begins in the feet and hands.
In India, peripheral neuropathy is the most prevalent condition that is associated with diabetes. Over time, if blood sugar levels are not properly controlled, the nerves begin to get damaged. Other causes include vitamin deficiencies, thyroid issues and some infections. The most important thing is to control the root cause, for example, control blood sugar level, pain relief and physiotherapy.
How to know when to get a second opinion from a Neurologist?
Numerous patients put off going to a neuroradiologist because they don’t know if their symptoms are serious or not. If you see any of these, consult the doctor on an urgent basis:
- Sudden or very intense headaches
- Any weakness, numbness or tingling sensation anywhere in the body
- Lapses in memory and/or sudden confusion
- Stumbling over words when talking or listening to people speak
- An unsteadiness of walking or standing that happens more than once
- Blackouts or seizures
The earlier the diagnosis, the better the outcome. Don’t wait until symptoms become severe.
Conclusion
At CritCare Hospital, we feel that knowledge is the first step to the protection of health. Our Neurology department is well equipped with cutting-edge technology and a team of experienced and dedicated doctors who are dedicated to providing you the best care, just here in Lucknow.
If you have an existing neurological condition or symptoms that you’ve not had before that are a concern, we are here to support you. When it comes to your brain and nerves, timely care is all-important.
