Dr. Namit Gupta

Depression is possibly regarded as the first sign of Alzheimer’s disease. According to a research, the connection between Alzheimer’s disease and depression is very interesting. It has been found that the life of people who are suffering from dementia is affected in 2 different ways. Individuals who have suffered from depression in their lives are at a greater risk of developing dementia. It has also been observed that people suffering from dementia also have depression. The health condition should be treated immediately because if it is ignored it can damage the quality of life and result in worst conditions like memory loss. Temperament, as well as behavioral changes, may precede memory problems in people with the disease.

Risk factor of dementia
The significant risk factor for dementia or common form of Alzheimer’s is developing depression at a younger age. The other reasons for the link are not very clear, however, it has been speculated that the inflammation that occurs in depression is a contributing factor to the Alzheimer’s disease. The risk of dementia also increases with certain proteins which spiral with depression. The common signs of Alzheimer’s disease include lack of appetite, sadness, agitation, weight loss, and anxiety. People suffering from this condition are unable to tell if they are depressed, but their actions help in communicating a message. It is always better to seek the assistance of a physician as doctors can make use of tools to assess the neurological disorder.

Best way to treat patients with Alzheimer’s
The best way to treat patients suffering from dementia and who are depressed is to engage them in activities. It is important that they step out and do some exercises. They should go out in the sunshine. It is necessary to engage them in activities and conversations and help them to lead a higher quality of life. Some of the symptoms of dementia and depression are alike but not all of them. The major symptoms of depression include feeling tired most of the times, feeling restless, irritable, feeling worthless/guilty, unplanned weight gain and trouble in focusing. These symptoms often occur for more than 2 weeks or longer.

Difficulties caused by Alzheimer’s disease
In the case of Alzheimer’s disease, it becomes very difficult for the individual to communicate, learn or remember mainly because the damage is caused to the brain. Due to the brain damage, there is a possibility of changes in the personality and moods of individuals suffering from this health condition. The quality of life is affected by depression as well as Alzheimer’s disease. Hence, it is always better to treat the condition immediately. For that reason, it is very important to set up a pleasant environment around and help patients suffering from this condition by helping them do enjoyable tasks and make them feel positive about life.

Epilepsy is a relatively common disorder. Most cases of epilepsy can be controlled with a combination of drug therapy and healthy lifestyle. In some cases, surgery may also be advised. Epilepsy affects not only the lifestyle of the patient but also that of their caregiver.

It has been proven by researchers that there is no definite cure for Parkinson’s disease but its side effects and symptoms can be effectively managed. Medications are made available for treating the condition and ease the movement especially symptoms like stiffness and tremor. During the early stages of the disease, it is better to take the pill along with food to avoid nausea, which can be caused due to some medicines. However, in the later stages, the medication can be taken either 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after a meal for effective treatment.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
Different therapies are used to treat Parkinson’s disease and these include occupational, physical and speech therapy. The disease is known to manifest in many ways and some of the symptoms include sleep problems, fatigue, and constipation. The most common symptom patients suffer from is depression, and it is estimated that about 50% of the patients suffering from this disease experience depression. Commonly the symptoms of depression include worrying, feeling of sadness, and loss of interest. It has been found in some people that Parkinson’s disease occurs due to abnormal genes. However, the real cause of the nerve cell break down is not known.

Important tips to consider

1. The best way to deal with the side effects of Parkinson’s disease includes building a health care team, finding the best doctor, and managing your medications.
2. It is a progressive disease and in the initial stage, it starts with a mild tremor. However, with time it affects your speech and even your cognitive abilities. For that reason, it is important that the treatment plan is recognized and the symptoms that affect day to day life are managed properly.
3. The disease takes a toll on the emotional and mental health of a person and it is imperative to consult a licensed psychologist for that reason. Antidepressant medications are provided by doctors to treat this condition.

How to deal with Parkinson’s disease?

1. It is very important for people suffering from Parkinson’s disease to exercise and include a nutritious diet. The diet recommendation prescribed by the doctor should be followed and one should eat a low protein diet after consulting the doctor. The movements of the intestinal muscles are also affected with Parkinson’s disease and these can result in constipation. Hence, it is better to include whole grains, vegetables, and fruits in the diet and eat foods that are rich in fiber.
2. It is very important that you drink lots of water so that the color of the urine is clear or light yellow. A fiber supplement like Metamucil or Citrucel can be taken every day, but the instructions provided on the label should be followed.

As children, you have probably learnt that paralysis is complete inability to move, sense, touch or control other bodily sensations. But little did we know that paralysis comes in many forms depending on the extent to which a person is immobilized. So, what is the difference between partial and total paralysis?

What is Total Paralysis?
Whether temporary or permanent, paralysis is the inability to move part of the body due to nerve damage. However it does not mean that people with total paralysis cannot move any parts of the body – they can still use their faces and necks. The extensive form of paralysis is typically referred to as quadriplegia, which involves diminished or absence of movement in the trunk, arms, legs, hands and feet. Some common symptoms of total paralysis are as follows:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Unable to control bowels and bladder
• Pain anywhere in the body
• No sensation below the site of injury
• Difficulty breathing

What is partial paralysis?
A smaller portion of the body is affected by partial paralysis. One of the most common types of partial paralysis is Paraplegia that occurs below the waist. If affects both the legs, hips and other functions. Other forms of partial paralysis can be Monoplegia where a single area like one limb gets affected and Hemiplegia where parts of the body on the same side get affected. Some common symptoms of partial paralysis are as follows:

• Inability to walk
• Difficulty with sexual functioning
• Pain below the site of injury
• Unable to feel or move your legs or arms

How to Predict the type of paralysis?
The location of the injury or site of nerve damage will usually determine the type of paralysis. Damages in the cervical spinal cord almost inevitably lead to total paralysis associated with quadriplegia. The higher the injury is located, the more extensive the paralysis will be. Lower injuries commonly lead to partial paralysis. The prognosis is generally much better with this type of paralysis. With proper care and therapy, individuals may experience intermittent difficulties with movement and can regain.

Can paralysis be treated?
Whether it is total paralysis or partial paralysis, the positive prognosis is certainly possible, given the condition of the patient and other factors. Physical therapy involves teaching the brain and spinal cord to work around the damage and also aid neuron healing over time. Paralysis can be classified under a number of ways and the most basic classification is that of partial or complete paralysis. Talk to your doctor to understand what type of paralysis you have and adopt a positive outlook to help you towards recovery. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

When particular nerve cells in the brain don't function properly, it leads to epilepsy, which is a common brain disorder. There are several variants of epilepsy, and the one that you are suffering from would play a major role in the type of seizure you are likely to have. Here are the two most common type of seizures:

Common types of Seizures

• Generalized seizures: This type of seizures take place when nerve cells on both sides of the brain start misfiring. They may lead to black out, fall or muscle spasms.
• Focal seizures: It starts in a particular area of the brain, and the names of the seizure are based on the affected area of the brain. They may lead to both emotional and physical effects which may affect the way a person feels or sees or hear things that have no real presence. In particular cases, the symptoms of focal seizures are regarded of some other kinds of mental or nervous disorder.

Seizures are not considered an either-or thing since some people tend to have a particular type of seizure which gradually alters its course. It is not always easy to classify certain types of seizures which are called unknown-onset seizures and may lead to both physical and sensory symptoms. Both focal and generalized seizures can be categorized into various groups. The most common are listed below:

Subcategories of focal and generalized seizures

• Simple focal seizures: It may change how the senses read the surroundings of a person. It can make a familiar taste or smell appear strange. Some people feel dizzy or visualize flashes of light or make the affected individual feel nauseated or sweaty.
• Complex focal seizures: It normally happens when a part of the brain which controls emotion and memory gets affected. The affected person may feel awake even when he has lost consciousness. It can take several minutes for a person to come out of the problem.

Secondary generalized seizures: It starts when a part of the brain spreads to the nerve cells. They may lead to a few physical symptoms including muscle slackness and convulsions.
On the other hand, there are six variants of generalized seizures:

• Clinic seizure: The muscles tend to have spasms which make a face, neck, and arms jerk rhythmically. It can last for minutes together.
• Tonic-clonic seizure: These are the most notable type of seizures and leads to stiffening of the body, jerking and shaking along with the loss of consciousness. It can last between 1 to 3 minutes, and in case they go for a longer span, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. It may lead to breathing issues and may cause the person to bite his tongue or cheek.
• Tonic seizures: When the muscled in the legs or arms or trunk tense up for more than 20 seconds, it is called a tonic seizure. If the affected person is in standing position, he or she may end up falling.

Other types of generalized seizure include atonic seizure, absence seizure and myoclonic seizure which are commonly seen in people who have epilepsy. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

The chronic disorder that causes recurrent and unprovoked seizures is referred to as Epilepsy. A seizure is an impulsive and unexpected rush of activity in the brain. The reasons for the cause of epilepsy include head trauma, high fever, low blood sugar, and alcohol withdrawal. It is a neurological disorder and more than 3 million people in the United States have been affected by epilepsy. The chronic disorder is common not only in adults but even in young children and it has been observed that it occurs more in males. The disorder can merely be controlled by the use of various strategies as there is no cure for it till date.

Causes of epilepsy
Any illness that disturbs the usual form of neuron activity can lead to seizures. There are many possible causes of epilepsy. The 2 main types of seizures include partial/focal seizure and generalized seizure. The partial seizure would affect only one part of the brain. It is difficult to identify mild seizures. Further, stronger seizures are known to cause uncontrollable muscle twitches and spasms. At the time of a strong seizure, a patient can lose his consciousness. On the other hand, generalized seizures affect both parts (cerebral hemispheres) of the brain so their onset is not easily identifiable. Types of generalized seizures include tonic-clonic, absence or atonic etc. The other important fact is that epilepsy progresses because of imbalance of neurotransmitters which are nerve-signaling chemicals and also due to an abnormality in the brain wiring.

Drugs used to treat epileptic seizures
Anticonvulsant drugs are mainly used to treat epileptic seizures. The type of treatment provided to patients mainly depends on factors like severity and frequency of the seizures. The other factors that are also taken into consideration for the type of treatment provided include medical history, overall health and the age of a person. A patient can feel better with a seizure medication, an implant that works on the nerves, a special diet, and surgery.

Important precautions you must take

• It is very important that the medication is taken as directed by the doctor. The main reason behind the use of these drugs is that they reduce the number of seizures and there are no side-effects.
• Care should be taken that the drugs provided to the children to treat epilepsy are FDA approved and are safe for use by children.
• The epilepsy drugs that can be taken for partial seizures include carbamazepine, phenytoin, valproic acid, valproate, and brivaracetam.

Natural treatments can also be made use of for epilepsy as at times medications do not work well on some patients. Acupuncture, use of natural herbs and vitamins can also be used for treating the brain disorder.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!
 

It is very important for any individual suffering from a neurological disorder to take medical assistance. The possible neurological condition can be diagnosed by doing some medical examinations. Some of the examinations that are conducted for diagnosis include a neurological exam, genetic screening, brain scans and many other tests.

Malfunction of the brain can be caused in more than one region of the brain like frontal cortex, anterior cingulate, Parietal cortex and Basal ganglia. It is very important that symptoms are noticed and required tests are done immediately. In case of malfunctioning in the Basal ganglia, there are chances that patients experience more anxiety and avoid clashes in life excessively.

Self - assessment test for neurological disorders

• Self-assessment and self-administered tests can identify the presence of the neurological disorder, but it is best to seek medical assistance in such cases. The self-assessment tests can be done by an individual when they face symptoms like problems in urinating, difficulty in concentrating, problems with writing and holding objects, and experiencing blurred vision.
• It is important for an individual facing complaints like a headache, numbness in the arms or legs, changes in behavior, fatigue, blurry vision, slurred speech, weakness and changes in coordination to contact a medical professional. The thought of neurological disorder itself is very threatening and understanding the drug options available is very important.

Medications Used
The type of medication prescribed to the patients depends mainly on the condition of the neurological disorder. Some of the drugs that are prescribed include corticosteroids. These are provided for treatment of multiple sclerosis and decrease inflammation. Levodopa is a drug used mainly for treating Parkinson’s disease. In addition to physical examination and complete medical history, the diagnostic procedures that are carried out for neurological disorders include Computer Tomography scan (CT scan), Electroencephalogram (EEG), Electromyography (EMG) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Important Tips to Consider
The drugs used for treating neurological disorders also cause some side effects. In some cases, patients even develop a drug addiction. In such cases, the two critical components of drug addiction like withdrawal and dependence should be understood very well. Dependence on the drug occurs mainly when the patient takes the medication for a prolonged period of time. Further, depending on the nature of the medication and personal situation of the patient, addiction develops quickly. The patient tends to experience withdrawal symptoms if they become dependent on the medication and when they abruptly stop taking it. The symptoms that are caused in this situation include nausea, tremor, and headache. There are many other diagnostic tests also carried out that are useful and prevent further damage to the nervous system.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Multiple Sclerosis or MS is an ailment that is mainly caused due to the degeneration of nerves in the body. The central nervous system is the main area affected by multiple sclerosis and it has been diagnosed that it occurs more in women than men. The main areas that are affected include optic nerves, brain, and spinal cord. Multiple sclerosis in other words also means scar tissues in multiple areas. There are 4 types of multiple sclerosis which include clinically isolated syndrome, relapse remitting, primary progressive, and secondary progressive.

Causes of Multiple Sclerosis

1. Multiple sclerosis is regarded as an autoimmune disorder and its exact cause is not known by the doctors. The disease causes demyelination of the brain cells and spinal cord.
2. People in the age group of 15-60 are the ones affected by this disease. According to scientists, the four main factors that cause this disease are virus, genetic, environmental and immunological.
3. It is a long-lasting disease that causes disturbances in the body functions.
4. The condition is examined by the doctors by checking the patient’s medical history, conducting neurological exams, and imaging scans.
5. The spinal fluid analysis is also a procedure that can rule out the possibility of multiple sclerosis.

Symptoms Caused by Multiple Sclerosis

• Some of the symptoms that are caused due to this disease include impaired coordination, pain, vision loss, and fatigue.
• The nerves in our body are coated with myelin sheath that protects the nerves.
• The myelin sheath also aids in the conduction of impulses all through the body.
• Inflammation is caused due to multiple sclerosis which eventually results in thinning and destroying of the sheath.
• The nerve without a coating is left with a scratch and this results in the nerve not functioning properly.
• Severe chronic symptoms are faced by patients so at times pain occurs in the eyes and back. In some patients the symptoms are mild thus the disease is not noticed in the early stages.
• The main symptoms include problems with thinking, memory, muscle weakness, numbness, and tingling. Many people even find trouble in walking due to multiple sclerosis.

Effects of Multiple Sclerosis

• The main effects of multiple sclerosis include problems like frequent urination or difficulty in emptying the bladder completely.
• It can also cause bowel problems, sexual dysfunction, vertigo, dizziness, fatigue, tremor, muscle spasms, depression, emotional changes, and inflammation of the optic nerve.
• The lesser known symptoms include swallowing problems, speech disorders, hearing loss, itching, breathing problems, and headache.
• It is an unpredictable disease and people are affected by this disease in different ways. In the early stages, it occurs as a subtle sensation for many people.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes a degradation and eventually death of the brain cells. People with Alzheimer's disease suffer from a memory loss. There is also a progressive decline in the cognitive capacity of the brain.Today, Alzheimer's disease and dementia have become almost synonymous with old age. It is a heartbreaking experience to see aged people with Alzheimer's disease. They have little or no memory of the present time, of their loved people or the things around them.

The Alzheimer's disease starts off as a mild condition and then gradually progresses through stages. In this article, we will discuss the different stages associated with Alzheimer's disease.

1. The first stage: This stage shows no significant changes in the affected person. Thus, without any diagnostic tests (such as a PET scan), it will be difficult to detect the condition in the initial stage.
2. The second stage: This stage brings about some changes in the person. The person might misplace things or may even forget words (something that is often brushed aside as a small problem). However, this seldom interferes with their daily activities. Like the first stage, this stage, in most cases, goes unnoticed.
3. The third stage: This is the stage that brings about visible changes in the person concerned such as
   • The person experiences difficulties in trying to organize things.
   • They forget things they have read, or heard just a few seconds back.
   • In some cases, the person may not be able to recollect a person's name they have just met.
   • Some people may end up repeating the same question over and over again.
4. The fourth stage: This stage marks a further decline in the mental health. The person gets forgetful about himself or herself. They also start mixing up with the dates and months or makes major goof up while cooking (misses out on ingredients).
5. The fifth stage: The mental deterioration reaches a step further. The person slowly starts forgetting about the present, such as their address, the time of the day, their profession and even phone numbers.
6. The sixth stage: The problem is getting worse. Hallucination is slowly setting in. The person is starting to forget people and their faces, mixing one identity with another.
7. The seventh stage: The final and unfortunately, the worst stage. The person stops talking to people, eating, or even walking. They stay confined to their world, oblivious of their immediate surrounding.

Dealing with an Alzheimer patient

• In addition to the treatment and medication, a person with Alzheimer's disease needs the love, care, and support of their close and dear ones. Isolating them will only worsen the situation.
• It may not be easy to deal with an Alzheimer's patient as the disease progresses, but do not be rude to them. Give them the confidence.
• Always keep a paper containing their name, address and emergency contact number in their wallet.
• People after the age of 50 should undergo regular health check ups.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Neurological disorders are referred to as disorders of the nervous system that occur due to structural, biochemical or electrical abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord or nerves. They are diseases of central and peripheral nervous system.

Types of neurological disorders:
As any disease of the nervous system is a neurological disorder, there are many types of them; as many as more than 600 diseases. Some of the most common are-

• Stroke: It can occur suddenly if the flow of the blood to the brain stops and it leads to further brain damage. The two kinds of strokes are Hemorrhagic and Ischemic. Blood clots or blocking of the blood vessels causes these attacks.
• Migraine: It is a chronic neurological disorder that causes frequent headaches. It can last for two days or more.
• Brain tumors: Rapid growth of abnormal brain cells results in brain tumors. They can be malignant or benign.
• Multiple Sclerosis: This disease damages the myelin sheath or the protective layer surrounding the nerve cells.
• Spinal Cord Disorders: Head injuries, blocked blood supply, fractured bone, tumor in the spinal cord, its compression and infection causes these disorders.

Few more neurological disorders are
Muscular dystrophy and Huntington’s disease, caused by faulty genes. Spina bifida, caused by problems with the nervous system development. Degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease - Meningitis, Epilepsy.

Causes of neurological disorders:
The causes of neurological disorders are quite diverse. The nervous system has numerous membranes of which the nerve is a vulnerable and delicate spot that can be injured and damaged easily. These disorders have a number of causes

1. Lifestyle-related
2. Genetics
3. Infections
4. Nutrition-related
5. Environmental influences
6. Physical injuries

Symptoms of neurological disorder:
Symptoms of neurological disorders can be emotional or neurological, as well as indicative of other disorders and conditions. Some physical symptoms are

1. Paralysis
2. Weakness of muscle
3. Loss of sensation
4. Seizures
5. Difficulty with reading and writing
6. Poor cognitive abilities
7. Unexpected pain
8. Decreased alertness
9. Headaches
10. Blurry vision
11. Fatigue
12. Changes in behavior
13. Numbness of arms and legs
14. Slurry speech
15. Tremors

Symptoms of stroke

1. Dizziness
2. Weakness and sudden numbness of face, arms or legs
3. Severe headache
4. Trouble with speech
5. Loss of balance

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!