Health > What’s So Serious About Neurological Disorders in Elders
13th Nov 2020
Neurological Disorders in Elders
Health

What’s So Serious About Neurological Disorders in Elders

Are your elders suffering from any neurological disorders? If yes, you must go ahead and read this article to know what this devil-like condition is all about.

Even if your elders don’t have any common neurological disorders, you might want to understand what these disorders are. You must be aware of some early symptoms of neurological disorders to notice when your elders start suffering with them.

In this article today, we will share a list of such disorders and all about them for you to understand.

Further, we will also tell you about the symptoms and natural treatment methods that help. This way, you will be ready when your elder starts showing signs of any disorder and the treatment will be done faster.

What Is a Neurological Disorder?

Neurological disorders are conditions that happen due to damage to some part of the brain or the nervous system.

As we age, all the organs of our body get damaged slowly – their functioning slows down, and some parts get affected by the biological and chemical changes that happened all life.

The same applies to the brain and nervous system. Hence, elders – those above the age of 50 – are more vulnerable to neurological disorders.

These disorders can make life terrible for the elders by affecting their ability to live independently. And as the years pass by, the condition may only get worse, especially, if proper treatment isn’t used.

Thankfully, nursing care can benefit elders with neurological diseases to a massive extent. We’ll learn more about that in the coming sections.

For now, let’s move on to see what are some neurological disorders that you and your elders must be aware of.

Types of Neurological Disorders

Alzheimer’s Disease/Dementia

Alzheimer’s is the primary type of dementia. It belongs to the degenerative neurological disorders list. Thus, meaning it happens due to the damage that occurs in the nerve cells of the brain.

Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, stress, brain injuries which might be because of traumatic accidents, and consistent drinking and smoking are some risk factors.

Stroke

A stroke is what happens when the elder’s brain cells do not get enough supply of oxygen and nutrients. Thus, causing the brain’s parts to either not function or work terribly. >

Strokes can happen due to rupturing of blood vessels in the brain’s arteries. Or due to some clot-forming (from fat) in other parts of the body. This clot may travel to the brain and block the path through which the blood has to flow.

Multiple Sclerosis

A list of neurological disorders in elders isn’t complete without Multiple Sclerosis. It is one of the bed wetting neurological disorders. Thus, implying, that Multiple Sclerosis can cause bladder control problems in adults.

It is when the protective lining of the elder’s nerves (that lie between the brain and the rest of the body) has to fight with the body’s immune system. It can cause communication problems.

Epilepsy and Seizures

This disorder is a condition in which the activity of the nerve cells in your brain becomes abnormal. It is not among the rare neurological disorders.

An elder who has had a traumatic experience or a stroke is more likely to be affected by epilepsy and seizures.

The condition is another one of the bed wetting neurological disorders and also belongs to the list of functional neurological disorders.

Thankfully, the treatment is possible through medications.

Parkinson’s Disease

This condition belongs to both bed wetting neurological disorder and the degenerative neurological disorders list. You might have heard many elders complain of this disease.

The primary cause behind this condition is the damage in brain cells of substantia nigra – an essential part of the brain.

You might notice symptoms like shaking, loss of balance, and the elder’s difficulty on walking straight. These signs of tremors are not visible in any early stages. They develop over time.

hile there is no proper treatment of Parkinson’s disease, experts can help you manage it with medications and physiotherapy.

Huntington’s Disease

Another one of the degenerative neurological disorders list, Huntington’s disease is a condition in which the nerve cells degenerate over time. The destruction of cells is not as fast as in strokes. It is slow and progressive.

It is the only one of the rare neurological disorders in this list. The disease affects brain functionality like that of thinking and movement.

There is no cure for Huntington’s disease yet, but doctors will help you manage the symptoms with talk therapy, physiotherapy and medications.

11 Common Symptoms of Neurological Disorders

Pain:

Pain in the back, neck, joints and muscles are usual among the neurological disorders symptoms.

Dizziness:

Feeling dizzy for no reason, that too, often is a sign that there’s a problem with your nervous system.

Headaches:

Headaches also belong to this list of neurological disorders symptoms, no matter how common they may seem to you. They can be due to stress, hunger, overworking, etc. but chronic headaches with no known cause to you, must be checked by a doctor.

Memory loss:

Not being able to concentrate and retain information, is a sign that your nerve cells in the brain aren’t working to their full capacity. This lack of brain functioning can be because of a neurological condition.

Vision problems:

Difficulty with vision is one of the early symptoms of neurological disorders. It can be due to an injury or a neurological condition that has taken birth due to advancing age.

Sleep issues:

If your elder is struggling with insomnia, restless nights or hypersomnia, there’s a huge possibility the reason behind is some neurological disease.

Speech problems:

Another one of the early symptoms of neurological disorders, speech problems imply that your brain isn’t coordinating well with the mouth. The lack of coordination can be due to degeneration of brain cells.

Nausea:

If your elder experiences chronic Nausea, it can be due to neurological issues. In such a case, you must get the elder checked by an expert.

Changes in weight:

As the functioning of your brain changes due to the degeneration of nerve cells, there will be a change in hormones. And as hormones get affected, they will put a sudden impact on your weight as well.

Tremors:

Shaking and trembling happens when one is anxious or stressed. However, it is also quite common in the list of neurological disorders symptoms. Especially when the shaking is for a long period of time for seemingly no reason, there is a chance it is because of neurological disorders.

Numbness:

If there is a loss of sensation – either partially or fully in your arms and legs, but for a prolonged time, it can be because of the degeneration of brain cells. If it happens, and there seems to be no other reason, get your elder checked for neurological issues.

How to Treat Neurological Disorders-

The Five Ways of Neurological Disorders Treatment

Usually, there are no proper treatments for such diseases. So, the management of neurological disorders is done through ayurvedic medicines, exercise programs, yoga, medications, and some special plant herbs.

Ayurvedic medicines for neurological disorders

Ayurvedic gems like Shirodhara, Sirovasti, Pizhichil, Nasyam and Pichu are a blessing for elders with nervous system problems. These ayurvedic meds balance the three doshas – Pitta, Vata, and Kapha.

That is important, as Vata is the dosha related to the nervous system. If it’s out of balance, the disorders will become worse.

Exercise program for neurological disorders

Some exercises which help to improve coordination, balance, posture and tremors are walking, dancing and Tai Chi.

Importance of yoga in neurological disorders

One of the primary triggers of neurological disorders is stress. Yoga poses and pranayama like Anulom Viloma, help the body and mind to relax.

They help the elder get rid of anxiety, posture issues, and improve the balance and coordination system between the brain and other organs.

Studies have shown yoga’s positive effects on elders with Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Seizures, along with many other brain disorders.

Plants used for neurological disorders

The leaves, seeds, leaflets, barks, roots and fruits of Plants like Avena Sativa, Emblica, Soursop, etc. are used to treat issues like epilepsy, insomnia, and other problems of the brain.

Some common medications for neurological disorders

Note: Do not consume them without consulting a doctor of neurology.

  • Donepezil
  • Klonopin
  • Neurontin
  • Mirapex
  • Requip
  • Depakote

Now you know how to treat neurological disorders naturally and with drugs, let’s move on to understand some answers to the frequently asked questions on these problems

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) About Neurological Disorders

1: What is the difference between neurological and psychological disorders?

Ans. Both are linked. Neurology is more about the damage caused to brain cells and how it affects our body. Psychological disorders tend to be specific about how the brain’s functioning impacts mood, behaviour etc.

2: Is cervical dystonia a neurological disorder?

Ans. Yes

3: Is dyslexia a neurological disorder?

Ans. Yes

4: What are the neurological disorders that cause blurred vision?

Ans. Stroke, Toxic optic nerve disease, Ischemic optic neuropathy and Optic neuritis are some examples.

5: What are the neurological disorders that affect the skin?

Ans. Disorders like Diabetes, Neuropathy and Stroke can affect the skin to cause further problems.

6: What are some neurological disorders that affect voice?

Ans. Myasthenia Gravis, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, and Spasmodic Dysphonia are some examples.problems.

7: What are the neurological disorders that cause bedwetting in adults?

Ans. Parkinson’s, Epilepsy and Multiple Sclerosis can cause bedwetting in adults.

8: What are the neurological disorders that cause insomnia?

Ans. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Stroke can be reasons behind insomnia.

The Takeaway

After knowing the types, symptoms, and treatment, it’s time you take some action.

If any elder around you seems to show the symptoms mentioned, or have been diagnosed with any neurological condition take special care of them.

Make them visit the doctor regularly and try neurological disorders treatment in Ayurveda, yoga etc.

You can also take advantage of nursing diagnosis for neurological disorders with the help of caregivers at Emoha. Check out our nursing plans here.

If there’s any confusion, don’t forget to call us at 1800-123-44-5555.