How to Treat Neurological Disorders

Having a neurological disorder doesn’t have to be the end of the world. If you can manage your symptoms, you can live a happy and fulfilling life despite your condition.

Question 1 of 6:

Background

Your nervous system is an amazingly complex network of cranial nerves, peripheral nerves, nerve roots, autonomic nervous system, neuromuscular junction, and muscles. If you have a neurological disorder, it can affect the way these systems interact with each other.^{[1]XTrustworthy SourceWorld Health OrganizationHealth information and news provided by the World Health OrganizationGo to source}
There’s quite a long list of disorders that affect the way your brain, spinal cord, and nervous system function and communicate with each other.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source} A few of the more common examples include epilepsy, dementia, stroke, migraines, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, and brain tumors.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceWorld Health OrganizationHealth information and news provided by the World Health OrganizationGo to source}
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Question 2 of 6:

Causes

1
There are 4 main types of neurological disorders. While there are many potential causes and different types of neurological disorders, they can be grouped together based on their conditions and symptoms. The 4 major types include:^{[4]XResearch source}
- Sudden Onset Conditions: This type is caused by an injury, usually to your brain or spinal cord, such as a blow to the head or an accident.
- Intermittent or Unpredictable Conditions: This group includes conditions such as epilepsy and the early stages of multiple sclerosis (MS) and is characterized by symptoms that can strike suddenly and unpredictably.
- Progressive Conditions: This type includes conditions that get worse over time, such as motor neuron disease and Parkinson’s disease.
- Stable Neurological Conditions: These conditions are constant and predictable, such as cerebral palsy.
That’s why working with your doctor is super important. Finding out exactly what disorder you have can make a big difference for how well you’re able to treat and manage your symptoms. Disorders that affect your central nervous system (CNS) can be due to genetic, traumatic, vascular, infectious, or environmental causes.^{[5]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
Some conditions are a direct result of your genes, and there isn’t anything you did to cause it. If you have faulty genes, your nervous system can deteriorate over time, causing your symptoms to get worse, especially if you don’t treat or manage them.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source}
Sometimes, as your nervous system grows and develops, there can be problems along the way that affect its function. Usually, these types of conditions are stable and predictable. Spina bifida is an example where the spinal column doesn’t completely close while you’re developing as a fetus, which can sometimes cause learning disabilities.^{[7]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source}
Progressive conditions like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease cause the nerve cells in your brain to deteriorate over time. They can cause memory problems and muscle control issues such as tremors, but there are medications and strategies you can use to slow the progression and manage your symptoms.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source}
Bacterial infections like tuberculosis and viral infections like HIV can break down or destroy your nerve cells. Symptoms can come on quickly and suddenly as the infection affects your nervous system. Parasitic infections like malaria can also have neurological effects. Even fungal infections, such as Cryptococcus and Aspergillus can damage or interfere with the way your nervous system functions.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceWorld Health OrganizationHealth information and news provided by the World Health OrganizationGo to source}
Brain cancer and tumors in your brain can interfere with the way your nervous system functions. If cancer isn’t treated, it can progress and get worse over time. Cancer can cause different neurological effects such as memory loss, mood swings, or mobility, depending on what part of your brain is affected.^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source}
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Question 3 of 6:

Symptoms

When something goes wrong with your nervous system, it can affect the way your body functions. A neurological disorder can affect your motor skills, meaning you can have difficulty walking or moving. You can also struggle to speak and swallow. If the disorder affects your brain or spinal cord, you can have breathing trouble and cognitive issues, which can make learning difficult and affect your memory.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceMedlinePlusCollection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of MedicineGo to source}
Disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and personality disorders can come with serious mood swings.^{[12]XResearch source} Having a neurological disorder can also put you at a higher risk of depression and delusions. Also, the fact of the matter is a neurological disorder is frustrating to deal with, which can affect your mood and outlook on life.^{[13]XResearch source}
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Question 4 of 6:

Diagnosis

Diagnosing damage to the nervous system is complicated and complex because many disorders may not have definitive causes, markers, or tests.^{[14]XExpert SourceEric Baron, DO
Board Certified NeurologistExpert Interview. 13 September 2021.} The first thing your doctor will do is go through your medical history and examine you for clues about what, if any, neurological condition you have.^{[15]XTrustworthy SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterLeading academic medical center in the U.S. focused on clinical care and researchGo to source}
Doctors use a variety of diagnostic imaging techniques as well as chemical and metabolic tests to try to pinpoint exactly what neurological disorder you have its effects on your brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. These can include a neurological exam that assesses your motor and sensory skills, lab tests that check your blood and other bodily fluids for signs of disease, genetic testing if you have a family history of a disorder, and imaging tests like CT scans and MRIs.^{[16]XResearch source}
A spinal tap, also known as a lumbar puncture, is a test that involves your doctor using a needle to collect a small sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is the liquid that flows around your brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. CSF may be able to tell doctors whether or not you have a neurological disease or condition.^{[17]XResearch source}
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Question 5 of 6:

Treatment

Neuroleptics are medications used to treat specific disorders of the brain such as schizophrenia. Examples include drugs like haloperidol and chlorpromazine. If you’re diagnosed with an organic brain condition, your doctor may prescribe neuroleptics to help manage your symptoms.^{[18]XResearch source}
The most common conditions where prescription drugs can be useful include headache, neuralgia, seizure disorders, movement disorders, facial palsy, cerebrovascular accidents, and meningitis. Your doctor will prescribe medications that can help manage your symptoms and potentially slow the progression of the disorder.^{[19]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
Some neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and MS, can be painful or cause painful side effects. If that’s the case, your doctor may prescribe or recommend medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and opiates to help manage your pain.^{[20]XResearch source}
Physical therapy helps folks improve their movement and it isn’t just something used after an injury or surgery. It can actually help with neurological disorders such as concussions, cerebral palsy, MS, Parkinson’s disease, and even Alzheimer’s disease. Your doctor may recommend or refer you to a physical therapist if it can help improve or manage your condition.^{[21]XResearch source}
Electrical high-frequency Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a treatment that involves using electrical waves to stimulate areas of your brain. It can be an effective treatment option for a few neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and other conditions that cause tremors (shaking). It can also sometimes be effective for major depression, which can be a symptom of some neurological disorders.^{[22]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
Some neurological disorders such as traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, and MS can cause difficulty speaking, a condition called dysarthria.^{[23]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source} You can also have trouble swallowing food or liquid. If you’re struggling with speech or swallowing, working with a speech therapist may help improve your symptoms.^{[24]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
Let’s face it: having a neurological disorder can be stressful and frustrating. In fact, some neurological disorders can cause anxiety or panic attacks.^{[25]XResearch source} Working with a therapist can help you find ways of reducing your stress and dealing with your disorder. If you have problems in your personal life or a history of trauma or abuse, CBT can also help with that.^{[26]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
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Question 6 of 6:

Prognosis

Because of the large number of neurological disorders, treatment and symptom management are affected by factors such as how advanced the disorder is, how early the diagnosis is made, how effective medications are, and psychosocial factors such as stress and depression.^{[27]XResearch source}
For some neurological conditions, such as epilepsy and meningitis, you may be able to manage and potentially cure the underlying cause with good treatment and rehabilitation. Although some disorders, such as Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and traumatic brain injury have symptoms that may progressively get worse, you can manage them and slow the progression with medication and effective therapies.^{[28]XTrustworthy SourceWorld Health OrganizationHealth information and news provided by the World Health OrganizationGo to source}
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Expert Q&A

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How do you get rid of neurological problems?
Eric Baron, DO
Board Certified Neurologist
Dr. Eric P. Baron is a staff ABPN (American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology) board certified Neurologist and a UCNS (United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties) Diplomat board certified in Headache Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute, Center for Neurological Restoration – Headache and Chronic Pain Medicine, in Cleveland, Ohio. With over 15 years of experience practicing medicine, he specializes in helping patients with headaches, migraines, and facial pain. Dr. Baron holds a BS in Biology from the University of Toledo and a DO from The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. Following his medical education, he completed his neurology residency and fellowship in headache medicine at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Baron has authored publications in journals such as The Journal of Headache and Pain and was named one of “America’s Top Physicians."
Eric Baron, DO
Board Certified Neurologist
Expert Answer
The treatments really depend on the specific neurological problems and symptoms that are occurring. There have been many new effective treatments for many different types of neurological problems over the past decade, and especially the past few years. Please discuss your situation with your doctor to get specialized recommendations to your case.
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Tips

If you think you have any symptoms of a neurological disorder, see your doctor for diagnostic testing. If you do have one, the sooner you can start treatment, the better you can manage your symptoms.
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