Top Neurological Symptoms Not To Ignore

Neurological disorders are conditions that impact the way your brain, spinal cord, and nerves function.

It’s important never to ignore any symptoms that suggest changes in your nervous system. Neurological symptoms can indicate serious conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), dementia, migraine, and more.

Knowing the neurological symptoms you shouldn’t ignore can help you act quickly if you or someone else experiences them.

Neurological symptoms signal that there may be an issue with your brain, spinal cord, or nervous system. It’s important to tell a healthcare provider about any neurological symptoms you experience. In some cases, immediate medical attention may be necessary.

Neurological symptoms you should pay close attention to include:

• Persistent headaches: Headaches can be a neurological condition of their own. They may also be a warning sign of other significant health conditions such as stroke, brain tumor, or meningitis.
• Numbness or tingling: When you have numbness or tingling in your body, your nerves could be inflamed or damaged. Sometimes, these sensations are a sign of stroke, diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis (MS), or another neurological condition.
• Vision changes: If you start seeing double or have noticeable changes in your vision, it’s important to seek medical attention. Vision changes could be a sign of stroke, MS, diabetes, a brain tumor, or another condition.
• Confusion or cognitive changes: Confusion and other changes in your cognition are often hallmark symptoms of stroke or dementia. They can also be a sign of a brain tumor or another neurological condition. 
• Loss of muscle strength or stiffness: While some muscle mass loss and stiffness may come with age, suddenly losing strength in your arm could be a sign of a stroke. Meanwhile, people with Parkinson’s may report stiffness. These changes need immediate medical attention.
• Tremors: If you notice your hands, head, mouth, or other parts of your body tend to shake—especially if the tremors come on suddenly, are severe, or interfere with your activities—it’s important to see a healthcare provider. Tremors can be a sign of MS, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or another neurological condition.
• Lack of balance or coordination: When you frequently feel off-balance or uncoordinated, you risk falling and getting hurt. It could also be a sign of a neurological condition like stroke, MS, brain tumor, Parkinson’s disease, or another condition.
• Slurred speech: Changes in speech, slurring words, or difficulty talking are hallmarks of a stroke and require medical attention right away. Speech changes can also be a sign of Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), MS, and more.
• Seizures: Seizures can be a sign of epilepsy, meningitis, brain injuries, brain tumors, and stroke.

There are many neurological disorders. These are among the most common:

Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency. There are two types of stroke—ischemic and hemorrhagic. About 80% of all strokes are ischemic strokes, which cut off the blood supply to your brain. Hemorrhagic strokes occur due to bleeding in or around the brain.

The longer this blood flow is disrupted, the more severe the damage. Experts recommend using the acronym FAST to identify a stroke and take action. FAST stands for:

• F: Facial drooping
• A: Arm weakness
• S: Speech challenges
• T: Time to call 911 or emergency services

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is nerve damage due to complications of diabetes. It may not always cause symptoms, but when it does, you may notice numbness, tingling, and poor balance.

The best way to prevent this condition is to prevent diabetes or manage your blood sugar if you have diabetes.

Headaches

There are many different types of headaches that can impact anyone. Headaches can also be a warning sign of a life-threatening condition. You should see a healthcare provider right away if you notice these symptoms:

• A sudden, severe headache along with a stiff neck
• Headache with fever, nausea, or vomiting
• A headache that feels like your worst one ever, and that occurs with confusion, weakness, double vision, or loss of consciousness
• A headache that gets worse or changes
• Shaking or trouble breathing with the headache

Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common types of dementia. It’s characterized by worsening changes in your behavior, personality, and ability to think and remember. You may also gradually lose your ability to speak and have trouble making decisions or recognizing friends and family.

There is not yet a proven way to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Exercising more often, controlling your blood pressure, and addressing any hearing loss may impact the disease’s progress, but research is ongoing. Some medications are also approved to help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Meningitis

Meningitis is a life-threatening infection of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. Vaccines help prevent meningitis, but it’s also important to wash your hands frequently and avoid sharing eating utensils, drinking glasses, and toothbrushes.

Meningitis may cause symptoms such as:

• Stiff neck
• High fever
• Severe headache
• Double vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Weakness in your arms and legs

Some people with untreated meningitis can experience hearing loss, seizures, and speech issues, and may need amputations if they experience sepsis (another medical emergency) as a complication.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder in which nerve cells in parts of your brain start to die. When this occurs, you may experience tremors, stiffness, and reduced balance.

Parkinson’s disease tends to affect more men than women and typically begins to appear in your mid-60s. One study found that physical activity may help prevent and treat the disease, suggesting it’s important to stay active even in older age.

If you or someone else is experiencing neurological symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. These symptoms could indicate a serious underlying condition. The earlier you get a diagnosis and treatment, the better it is for your overall health—and, sometimes, your chance of survival.

Your brain, spinal cord, and nerves control how your body works. A problem with your nervous system can affect how you move, speak, breathe, swallow, and think. It’s important not to delay seeking medical attention for these symptoms.

Some neurological symptoms call for immediate medical attention, including severe headache, numbness or tingling, slurred speech, movement issues or balance concerns, confusion, or seizures.

Addressing these symptoms promptly by visiting a healthcare provider or calling 911 could save your life, improve your outcomes, and prevent complications.