The human nervous system is a complex network connecting our bodies to the world. It manages bodily functions we often take for granted, like keeping our hearts beating and lungs breathing. It is also responsible for memory, our five senses, and walking, talking, and speaking.1
“The brain, spinal cord, and nerves connecting to our muscles form a remarkable network we often overlook. However, the nervous system can become diseased or malfunction.”
Neurologist at Cooper and Inspira Neuroscience
Neurological disorders can be complex to recognize. Some show immediate symptoms, while others appear gradually. We must pay attention to our bodies and recognize when something isn’t right.
Common Neurological Symptoms to Watch For
Dizziness: Feeling dizzy occasionally might seem harmless, but frequent or severe dizziness can indicate underlying neurological conditions.
When to seek immediate help:
- Sudden onset: If dizziness occurs suddenly, it could indicate a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Seek emergency medical attention immediately.
- Accompanied by other symptoms: If dizziness is paired with symptoms like double vision, slurred speech, or difficulty walking, these could signal a more severe condition.
Numbness: Numbness, or lack of sensation, may occur in different body parts and could indicate various health issues.
When to seek immediate help:
- Sudden numbness in the face, arm, or leg: Numbness, particularly on one side of the body, could be a sign of a stroke. Prompt medical evaluation is necessary.
- Accompanied by weakness: If numbness is accompanied by muscle weakness or paralysis, seek immediate medical attention.
Headaches: Everyone gets headaches occasionally, but some types shouldn’t be ignored.
When to seek immediate help:
- Sudden, severe headache: Often described as the “worst headache of your life,” it could be a sign of a brain aneurysm or other serious condition.
- Accompanied by neurological symptoms: If a headache is accompanied by vision changes, confusion, or difficulty speaking, it requires immediate medical evaluation.
Memory Loss: Memory loss is common, particularly in older adults. It often occurs with aging, such as walking into a room and forgetting why.
When to seek help:
- Difficulties with daily activities: If a person is getting lost, struggling with finances, or showing extreme forgetfulness, such as leaving the stove on, it requires examination.
- Behavioral changes: Changes in mood, anger, and becoming short-tempered, along with memory changes, should also raise concerns.
Underlying Conditions Linked to Neurological Symptoms
Understanding the underlying conditions that may cause these symptoms can help assess urgency and next steps.2
Immediate and Severe Conditions
- Stroke: Symptoms like sudden dizziness, numbness, or severe headache need immediate medical help.
- Brain Aneurysm: Severe headaches with sudden neurological changes require prompt attention.
Long-Term Diseases
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Numbness and dizziness may indicate MS, requiring neurologist evaluation.
- Migraines: Chronic headaches with triggers suggest migraines, often painful but manageable with treatment.
- Dementia: Many forms exist, including Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body dementia; evaluation and tests confirm diagnosis and guide treatment.
How Neurological Symptoms are Diagnosed
Diagnosing neurological symptoms requires a combination of medical history, physical examination, and specialized tests, such as MRI scans, CT scans, and blood tests.
Diagnostic Steps
- Medical history: Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms, duration, and associated conditions.
- Physical examination: A comprehensive exam focusing on neurological function.
- Imaging tests: MRI, CT scans, or other imaging techniques to visualize the brain and spinal cord.
- Blood tests: Conducted to check for infections, inflammation, or other contributing factors.
Impact of Age and Gender as Neurological Factors
- Likelihood increases with age:3 The risk of neurological conditions rises, with stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia being more common among older adults.
- Gender differences: Certain neurological conditions show gender predispositions; for example, multiple sclerosis2 is more common in women, while Parkinson’s and stroke are more prevalent in men.
Seeking Treatment
If you experience sudden, severe neurological symptoms,4 call 911 or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room.
This is crucial to rule out or confirm a stroke and ensure eligibility for life-saving treatments.
If you or someone you know has neurological symptoms like dizziness, numbness, or severe headaches, don’t ignore them. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve outcomes.
Other signs not to overlook include changes in coordination or balance, difficulty swallowing or speaking, memory loss or confusion, and unexplained muscle weakness or tremors. These may also indicate urgent neurological conditions.
Cooper and Inspira Neuroscience
Cooper and Inspira Neuroscience offer advanced diagnostics and treatment for neurological symptoms, including medical and psychosocial management.
Our experts use a team approach, collaborating with you and your primary care physician to create a personalized treatment plan.
Schedule an appointment for a consultation with one of our neurology specialists.
References
- News-Medical, Paharia, Pooja and Cuffari, Benedette. 2022. What is the Nervous System. https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-the-Nervous-System.aspx[↩]
- Medical News Today. Seunggu, Han, M.D. 2021. 5 Different Neurological Disorders and Their Symptoms. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/neurological-disorders[↩][↩]
- Science Direct. Aggarwal, Neelum, Dafer, Rima. 2021. Neurological Diseases: Sex and Gender Evidence in Stroke, migraine, Dementia. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B978012816569000011when[↩]
- Neurologists.io. 2024. When Should a Patient Consider Seeing a Neurologist. https://neurologists.io/qa/when-should-a-patient-consider-seeing-a-neurologist/[↩]
