Neurological Disorders
A neurological disorder refers to a problem with the nervous system, which is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates the body’s activities.
The Aspirus Spine & Neurosciences Institute uses a multi-disciplinary approach to treat a wide array of neurological disorders. Some of the more common neurological disorders that our team treats, include stroke, brain tumors, hemorrhages, brain or spinal cord injuries, Alzheimer’s, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Many people don’t think of carpal tunnel syndrome as a neurological disorder. The condition occurs when a major nerve in your wrist becomes pinched, causing tingling, numbness, weakness and pain in your wrist or hand.
If you are diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, medications, cortisone injections and splints can help ease your symptoms. If your symptoms fail to get better, or they become severe, surgery may be an option.
During surgery, one or two small incisions are made in your palm and the surgeon releases the transverse carpal ligament, which is what pinches the nerve and causes the symptoms. Carpal tunnel surgery does not require an overnight stay in the hospital and you will be given hand exercises to complete to regain strength in your wrist and hand.
Craniotomy
A craniotomy is the surgical opening of the skull where a surgeon makes a window in the bone to reduce pressure beneath the skull. Craniotomies are performed to correct neurological issues that cause the brain to work improperly. These disorders include brain injuries that result in swelling or bleeding, brain tumors, aneurysms and abnormal tangles of blood vessels.
More Information
For more information about neurological disorders, please choose from the topics below:
-
What is the nervous system?
-
The nervous system is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates body activities. It is made up of two major divisions, including the following:
-
Central nervous system - consisting of the brain and spinal cord.
-
Peripheral nervous system - consisting of all other neural elements.
In addition to the brain and spinal cord, principal organs of the nervous system include the following:
-
Eyes
-
Ears
-
Sensory organs of taste
-
Sensory organs of smell
-
Sensory receptors located in the skin, joints, muscles, and other parts of the body
-
Disorders of the nervous system
-
Disorders of the nervous system may involve the following:
-
Vascular disorders - such as stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hemorrhage and hematoma, and extradural hemorrhage
-
Infections - such as meningitis, encephalitis, polio, and epidural abscess
-
Structural disorders - such as brain or spinal cord injury, Bell's palsy, cervical spondylosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, brain or spinal cord tumors, peripheral neuropathy, and Guillain-Barré syndrome
-
Functional disorders - such as headache, epilepsy, dizziness, and neuralgia
-
Degeneration - such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's chorea, and Alzheimer's disease
-
Signs and symptoms of nervous system disorders
-
The following are the most common general signs and symptoms of a nervous system disorder. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
-
Persistent or sudden onset of a headache
-
A headache that changes or is different
-
Loss of feeling or tingling
-
Weakness or loss of muscle strength
-
Sudden loss of sight
-
Memory loss
-
Impaired mental ability
-
Lack of coordination
-
Muscle rigidity
-
Tremors and seizures
-
Back pain which radiates to the feet, toes, or other parts of the body
The symptoms of a nervous system disorder may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
