Signs of Neurological Disorders in Seniors

How do neurological disorders occur?

Neurological disorders occur when there is damage to the brain or nervous system. Our organs slow down as we age, and some are impacted by biological and chemical changes that have occurred during our lives.

The brain and nervous system work in the same way. So, people over 50 are more likely than younger people to develop cognitive disorders. These chronic conditions make it hard for the elderly to move around freely. Without proper treatment, the condition may get worse over time.

Elders with neurological disorders, fortunately, can benefit substantially from one-on-one caregiving. Let’s now examine a few neurological conditions that you and your aging loved ones should be aware of.

Types of neurological disorders list

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s is the most common kind of dementia. It belongs to the group of degenerative neurological conditions. Therefore, it’s caused by brain nerve cell damage.

Risk factors include conditions like diabetes, heart disease, stress, potential brain injury from traumatic events, routine alcohol consumption, and smoking

Stroke

An aged person has a stroke when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Thus, numerous brain components function inadequately or not at all.

Strokes may be caused by the rupture of blood vessels in the arteries that supply the brain. Likewise, clots can form elsewhere in the body due to the presence of certain fatty substances. This clot might obstruct the path blood must take to reach the brain.

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis is an essential part of any list of neurological conditions that affect elderly people. It is one of the neurological conditions that cause bedwetting. Inferring that persons with Multiple Sclerosis may experience issues with bladder control.

It occurs when the body’s immune system must battle the senior’s nerves’ protective lining (which sits between the brain and the rest of the body). It might impede communication.

Seizures and epilepsy

Any list of neurological disorders that affect elderly persons must include multiple sclerosis. This neurological disorder contributes to bedwetting. 

It happens when the body’s immune system has to contend with the protective lining of the senior’s nerves (which sits between the brain and the rest of the body). This could make communication difficult.

Parkinson’s disease

This is both a degenerative neurological disorder and a bedwetting-causing neurological disorder. The main cause of this sickness is the death of brain cells in the brain’s important substantia nigra region.

You might spot symptoms including trembling, poor balance, and difficulty walking straight in the elderly. Early on, there are no visible tremor symptoms. They develop over time. Specialists can help you manage Parkinson’s disease with medication and physical therapy; nevertheless, the condition cannot be cured.

Huntington’s disease

Other degenerative neurological conditions include Huntington’s disease, which is characterized by the progressive degeneration of the nerve cells. Cells are not obliterated as quickly as in strokes. It is the only uncommon neurological disorder on this list. The disease affects the brain’s capacity for thought and movement.

Huntington’s disease does not presently have a cure, but your doctor can manage your symptoms with medication, talk therapy, and physical therapy.

Common neurological disorders symptoms

Pain:

Among the symptoms of neurological disorders that are usually present are back, neck, joint, and muscle pain.

Dizziness:

Unexpected dizziness is another sign that something may be wrong with your nervous system.

Headaches:

No matter how infrequently you may experience them, headaches are among the symptoms of neurological disorders listed below. If you suffer from headaches on a regular basis and can’t pinpoint a specific trigger, such as stress, hunger, and being overworked, it’s important to see a doctor.

Memory loss:

The inability to concentrate and retain information is a sign that the sensory neurons in the brain aren’t working to their full potential. This weakened mental capacity could be caused by a neurological condition.

Vision issues:

Vision problems are one of the earliest indications of neurological diseases. It could result from a traumatic experience, or a neurological condition linked to aging.

Sleep problems:

Hypersomnia, insomnia, and other sleep disturbances in the elderly are often the result of neurological disorders.

Speech issues:

Speech impairments are one of the early indicators of neurological disorders, as they indicate that the brain and mouth are not functioning properly. Aging brain cells may cause loss of coordination.

Nausea:

Your elderly relative may experience chronic nausea as a result of neurological issues. In this case, you must arrange for the elder to receive a professional examination.

Alterations in weight:

Hormones will shift as your brain’s function changes due to nerve cell loss. Hormones will also cause a dramatic shift in your weight.

Tremors:

When someone is worried or anxious, they tremble and shake. It does, however, commonly appear on the list of symptoms of neurological diseases. If the trembling persists for a long time, it could be a sign of a neurological disorder.

Numbness:

If you have a total or partial loss of feeling in your arms and legs for an extended period of time, it could be the result of the degeneration of brain cells. If your elderly relative is experiencing symptoms like these and you can’t attribute them to anything else, it may be time to have them checked out by a doctor specializing in neurological disorders.

Want to learn more?

ConsidraCare’s live-in caregiver are trained to offer professional support to seniors with neurological conditions. Please reach out to us at wecare@considracare.com or call us at 1-855-410-7971 to arrange care for a loved one.