Common Neurological Conditions

At present, over 600 types of common neurological conditions have been identified. Of these, most vary in terms of the symptoms that occur, as well as the general nature of the condition. Patients suffering from common neurological conditions may therefore be classified as acute, chronic, remissive or degenerative.

Among the most common neurological conditions are:

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Brain injury 
  • Tumors of the brain and spinal cord
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Epilepsy
  • Migraines

Aside from these, there are also several lesser-known types of common neurological conditions. In this article, we will focus on the conditions listed above, and a few of the lesser-known ones. 

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease primarily affects the brain, although the condition may cause further complications–directly or indirectly–in other parts of the body. Like many common neurological conditions, Alzheimer's disease is progressive and degenerative in nature, and it eventually causes significant loss of cognitive ability.

Brain Injury

There are a number of common neurological conditions that may also occur when the brain undergoes trauma from an injury. The symptoms of this condition may range from moderate to severe, and they can affect the person in variety of ways. Possible results are impaired vision, reduced energy, frequent changes in mood, loss of coordination, and poor concentration.

Tumors of the brain and spinal cord

In some patients, common neurological conditions are caused by the abnormal growth of tissue in the skull or spinal column. Such growths may cause pressure on certain tissues, thus impairing their function. Among the most common symptoms of this condition are headaches, impaired vision and hearing, and behavioral, cognitive and motor issues. When the spinal cord is affected, the patient may experience pain, sensory issues, and motor impairment.

Cerebral palsy

One of the most familiar common neurological conditions is cerebral palsy. This causes the brain control the muscles in an abnormal manner. The result is often permanent, and the patient's movements and overall physical condition may be affected.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Also called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome may affect several parts of the body at the same time. This is one of the common neurological conditions recognized only fairly recently, and it affects the brain and nervous system, causing impaired cognitive function, pain in the joints, and an overall feeling of fatigue.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is one of the most familiar neurological issues, and it is also one of the most distressing. A patient suffering from this condition will typically experience convulsions, which may vary in intensity depending on the specific type of condition. When these episodes occur, the patient may also lose consciousness.

Headaches and Migraines

Not many people realize it, but headaches–particularly migraines–are often signs of more deep-seated neurological issues. Such cases are characterized by frequent and persistent headaches, which often seem to be triggered by stress. Interestingly enough, migraines–although seemingly trivial compared to the other more serious types of common neurological conditions–is one of the most mysterious and difficult to treat.