Neurological disorders encompass conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Due to the impact on these critical systems, neurological conditions can alter the natural bodily functions.
These disorders may be caused by structural, biochemical, or electrical abnormalities in these crucial systems. For treatment, your neurology specialist in Singapore may prescribe medication, or recommend surgery or therapy or a combination of approaches.
To read more about neurology specialists in Singapore in Singapore simply search; “neurology specialist Singapore.” Now, the symptoms of neurological conditions are diverse and can range from migraines and seizures to motor impairments or even memory issues. And incidentally, it isn’t easy to live with a neurological disorder.
For the individual, it might mean having to go about daily tasks amidst persistent pain or cognitive struggles. For loved ones, it involves understanding and supporting someone coping with unpredictable symptoms that impact their quality of life.
What is the most Common Neurological Disorder?
First things first, it is only after a thorough assessment that you can be confirmed to be having a neurological disorder. Now, if it is suspected that the symptoms you or your loved one is having could be due to a neurological disorder, there are several tests that your neurology specialist in Singapore could turn to for a diagnosis.
For example, if brain injury, tumors, epilepsy, strokes or aneurysms are suspected, the neurology specialist may use tests like arteriograms to reveal blood vessel issues and help in diagnosis. The other tests for diagnosing neurological issues include Computed tomography (CT) scans, CT angiography, Electroencephalograms (EEGs), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Positron emission tomography (PET).
Computed tomography (CT) scans provide cross-sectional brain views, while CT angiography visualizes blood vessels. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) record brain activity, particularly for epilepsy.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) captures detailed brain images and can detect soft tissue anomalies. Specialized MRIs like magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) focus on blood vessels and Positron emission tomography (PET) offers insights into brain structure and function to detect disease onset.
These tests are administered by experts and analyzed by doctors. So, what is the most common neurological disorder?
There are close to 600 neurological disorders and headache is one of the most common neurological disorders. Headaches come in various types including; vascular headaches, muscular contraction (tension) headaches, traction headaches and inflammatory headaches.
Vascular headaches, like cluster headaches, emerge as recurrent, intense pain often linked to high blood pressure or acute illness-induced fevers. Muscular contraction headaches result from face and neck muscle tension, while traction headaches worsen over time.
Because of this, they may suggest potential issues within the skull’s pain-sensitive structures. Inflammatory headaches, like those from meningitis, signal mild membrane inflammation protecting the brain and spinal cord. Migraines, a primary headache type, cause severe one-sided head pain, upset stomach, and sometimes blurred vision.
You may want to see a neurology specialist in Singapore if your headache comes with symptoms like stiff neck, fever, confusion, or eye pain. Other than headaches, the four other most common neurological issues include; stroke, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and epilepsy.
· Stroke
A stroke occurs when a part of the brain loses its blood supply or suffers bleeding and causes brain cell death due to oxygen and nutrient deprivation. This condition is classified into ischemic, caused by artery blockage, and hemorrhagic, resulting from brain bleeding.
Symptoms of stroke include sudden severe headache, one-sided body numbness or weakness, confusion, speech difficulties, vision problems, difficulty walking, dizziness, or coordination loss.
It’s a concerning neurological issue because it can lead to severe disability or even death in extreme cases. So, urgent treatment is crucial in most cases of stroke.
To help with stroke, your neurology specialist in Singapore may prescribe medications like antithrombotics or thrombolytics to prevent or manage strokes. Stroke care involves three stages: preventing risk factors like hypertension, immediate treatment upon stroke occurrence to dissolve clots or stop bleeding, and post-stroke rehabilitation to help patients recover speech or strength impaired by the stroke.
· Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects older adults. It starts with memory loss and confusion which is often mistaken for normal aging.
But, AD can lead to distinctive symptoms which can range from progressive behavior changes, to declining decision-making abilities, language skill reduction, difficulty recognizing loved ones, and even severe mental function loss.
These symptoms relate to the breakdown of connections between neurons in the brain which culminates to their eventual demise. If you or your loved one has symptoms which you suspect could be due to AD like persistent memory issues or behavioral changes that affect daily life, your best bet is an appointment with a neurology specialist in Singapore.
Neurology specialists help diagnose AD through assessments which may include cognitive tests and brain imaging. Currently, treatments available for AD aim at managing symptoms and not really halting the disease’s progression.
FDA-approved medications like Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine, and Memantine alleviate cognitive symptoms and some behavioral changes associated with AD. However, they can’t stop or reverse the disease.
· Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is also commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It is a condition that gradually damages neurons that control voluntary muscles with both upper and lower motor neurons deteriorating and causing a disruption of signal transmission to muscles.
This is what leads to weakness and wasting for individuals with ALS. This condition initially affects limbs or swallowing muscles and begins with muscle twitching which eventually impairs movement, including breathing without assistance.
Despite its impact on muscles, ALS doesn’t affect senses or cognitive abilities, although some cases show cognitive changes. ALS also has no cure. However, treatments like riluzole, edaravone, and therapies can be used to manage symptoms and to slow progression.
· Epilepsy
Epilepsy refers to brain disorders that cause abnormal activity. It can lead to seizures or altered behavior.
Disruptions in neural patterns may trigger convulsions, spasms, or unconsciousness. And there are various types of seizure, each stemming from different epilepsy causes.
These causes can range from brain diseases, to injury, or developmental issues but a sole seizure doesn’t always mean epilepsy. For a diagnosis, your neurology specialist in Singapore will want to assess brain activity through tests like EEG or imaging scans.
For treatment, early therapy is usually the best bet. It often involves medications or surgeries which are tailored to specific seizure types. Other than medications, specialized diets might be recommended to help with seizure control in children.
It’s a Wrap!
The most common neurological condition is headache though there are several other issues that your neurologist in Singapore can help you manage. If recommended an appointment or referred to a specialist, make an effort to see the neurologist as soon as possible as some of the conditions are best managed when detected early. To schedule an appointment with an experienced neurology specialist in Singapore, call or visit the Chou Neuroscience Clinic at;
Chou Neuroscience Clinic
1 Farrer Park Station Road
#08-06 Connexion
Singapore 217562
OR
6 Napier Road
#08-08 Gleneagles Medical Centre
Singapore 258499
+65 6694 7942
