Neurology: Expert support for your brain, spine and nerves

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movements. It can impair walking, speaking, swallowing and breathing. 

Common symptoms of ALS include:

• Difficulty speaking or swallowing
• Muscle weakness 
• Respiratory issues
• Twitching

Treatment for ALS includes:

• Assistive devices
• Medications
• Respiratory support
• Multidisciplinary care in areas like pulmonology and nutrition

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurological condition that can cause memory loss, confusion and difficulty with language and problem-solving. 

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but it can be treated with:

• Cognitive therapy
• Lifestyle support
• Medications

Many neurological disorders can cause balance problems. Some of the most common ones include:  

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
• Cerebellar ataxia
• Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease
• Huntington’s disease
  
• Labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH)
• Parkinson’s disease
  
• Stroke
• Vestibular disorders

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It affects people of all ages and can vary widely in severity and type.

Symptoms of epilepsy include:

• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Temporary confusion  

Treatments for epilepsy include:

• Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)
• Ketogenic diet (in some cases)
• Neurosurgery (for drug-resistant epilepsy)
• Vagus nerve stimulation

A migraine is a neurological condition that causes intense, throbbing or pulsing pain. This pain is usually on one side of the head and often lasts 4 to 72 hours. It can be accompanied by other symptoms including throbbing headache, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

Treatment for migraines includes:

• Lifestyle changes
• Medications
• Trigger management

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, specifically the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers. This disrupts communication between the brain and body.

Symptoms of MS include:  

• Coordination issues
• Fatigue
• Numbness
• Vision problems

Treatments for MS include:

• Corticosteroids for flare-ups
• Disease-modifying therapies (for example: interferons, glatiramer acetate)
• Physical therapy
• Symptom management

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that mostly affects movement but can also impact cognition, mood and autonomic functions.  

Common symptoms of Parkinson's include:

• Balance issues
• Slow movement
• Stiffness
• Tremors

There is no cure for Parkinson’s, but symptoms can be treated with:

• Deep-brain stimulation (DBS)
• Medications
• Physical and occupational therapy

A stroke is a serious medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from getting oxygen and nutrients. This can lead to brain damage, disability or death if not treated quickly.

Know F.A.S.T. stroke warning signs:

F – Face drooping

• Is one side of the face drooping or numb?
  
• To check, ask the person to smile.

A – Arm weakness

• Is one arm weak or numb?
  
• Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?

S – Speech difficulty

• Is speech slurred, hard to understand or completely absent?
• Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence.

T – Time to call 911

• If these conditions are present, call 911 immediately.

Stroke symptoms include:

• Dizziness
• Speech difficulty
• Sudden weakness
• Vision loss

Treatments for stroke include:

• Clot-busting drugs (tPA for ischemic stroke)
• Neurosurgery (thrombectomy)
• Rehabilitation (speech therapy, physical therapy or occupational therapy)