What are brain disorders?
Your brain is your body's control center. It's part of the nervous system, which also includes the spinal cord and a large network of nerves and neurons. Together, the nervous system controls everything from your senses to the muscles throughout your body.
When your brain is damaged, it can affect many different things, including your memory, your sensation, and even your personality. Brain disorders include any conditions that affect your
brain. This includes conditions that are caused by:
- illness
- genetics
- traumatic injury
Brain disorders can be classified in many different ways. Keep reading to learn about some of the most common types of brain problems.
Brain injuries
Brain injuries can be caused by blunt force trauma. This type of injury can damage brain tissue cells and nerves, which affects the brain’s ability to communicate with other parts of the body. Examples of brain injuries include:
- hematomas
- blood clots
- contusions, or bruising of brain tissue
- Cerebral edema is an increase in the size of the brain.
- concussions
- strokes
Some of the symptoms of a brain injury include:
- vomiting
- nausea
- speech difficulty
- bleeding from the ear
- numbness
- paralysis
- memory loss
- problems with concentration
Later, you may develop:
- high blood pressure
- a low heart rate
- pupil dilation
- irregular breathing
If you have an injury, treatment may include medication and rehabilitation or brain surgery.
Some people who have severe brain injuries need surgery to remove or repair damaged tissue. People with minor brain injuries may not need any additional treatment beyond pain medication.
Some people with brain injuries need rehabilitation. This can include: -Learning how to do everyday activities again, such as dressing and bathing themselves -Practicing activities that will help them improve their motor skills -Talking with someone about their injury and progress
- physical therapy
- speech and language therapy
- psychiatry
Brain tumors
Some tumors can form in the brain, which are very dangerous. These are called primary brain tumors. In some cases cancer in other parts of your body spreads to your brain, which are called secondary or metastatic brain tumors.
Brain tumors can be either malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous). This is determined by the doctor, who assigns grades 1 through 4. Grade 1 tumors are the least aggressive, while grade 4 tumors are the most aggressive.
Brain tumors are largely unknown. They can occur in anyone and symptoms depend on the size and location of the tumor. The most common symptoms of brain tumors are: 1) changes in behavior; 2) headaches; 3) problems with thinking or concentrating; 4) seizures; 5) changes in mood or personality.
- headaches
- seizures
- If numbness or tingling occurs in your arms or legs, it might mean that you have a cold.
- nausea
- vomiting
- changes in personality
- difficulty with movement or balance
- If you have changes in your hearing or vision, it is likely due to an illness.
Your treatment will depend on many different factors, such as the size of the tumor and your age. The most common types of treatment for brain tumors are:
- surgery
- chemotherapy
- radiation therapy
Neurodegenerative diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, cause your brain and nerves to deteriorate over time. This can affect your personality and lead to confusion. They may also damage your brain's tissue and nerves.
Some brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, can develop as you age. They can slowly impair your memory and thought processes. Other diseases, such as Tay-Sachs disease, are genetic and can start at an early age. Other common neurodegenerative diseases include:
- Huntington's disease is a neurological disorder that causes problems with movement, thinking, and mood.
- ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a disease that affects the nervous system. It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
- Parkinson’s disease
- all forms of dementia
Some of the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases include:
- memory loss
- forgetfulness
- apathy
- anxiety
- agitation
- a loss of inhibition
- mood changes
Neurodegenerative diseases cause permanent damage, which results in worsening symptoms as the disease progresses. New symptoms are also likely to develop over time.
There is no cure for neurodegenerative diseases, but treatment can help reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life. Treatment often involves the use of medications to control symptoms.
Mental disorders
There are a lot of different conditions that can be called mental disorders. Some of the most common ones are:
- depression
- anxiety
- bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health condition that can occur after someone has experienced a traumatic event.
- schizophrenia
The symptoms of mental disorders vary depending on the condition. Different people can experience the same mental disorder in different ways. You should talk to your doctor if you notice a change in your mood or behavior.
There are two main ways to treat mental disorders: medication and psychotherapy. Some methods are better for certain conditions, so a combination of the two may be the most effective.
If you think you might have a mental disorder, it's important to talk to your doctor. There are many resources available to you — don't try to self-medicate.
Brain disorders can affect anyone, but there are different risk factors for different types of brain disorders.
Traumatic brain injury is most common in children, young adults, and adults aged 15 to 25 years and those over 65 years old.
Brain tumors can affect anyone at any age. Your personal risk depends on your genetics and your exposure to environmental risks, like radiation.
The most significant risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases are age and family history.
Mental disorders are very common. About 1 in 5 American adults has experienced a mental health condition at some point in their lives. If you have a risk factor for mental disorders, like being from a family with a history of mental illness, your risk is higher.
- have a family history of mental illness
- People who have had traumatic or stressful experiences are likely to feel anxious or stressed.
- People who have a history of misusing alcohol or drugs are more likely to develop addiction.
- Having a traumatic brain injury means having experienced a traumatic event which has hurt your brain.
ADVERTISEMENT
Health Insurance, Re-imagined
Our goal is to make health insurance the way it should be: affordable, customized, transparent, and simple. You can get a free no-obligation quote today.
A doctor who specializes in brain disorders can diagnose your condition.
Your doctor will likely perform a neurological exam to check your vision hearing and balance. They may also take pictures of your brain to help them make a diagnosis. The most common diagnostic imaging tools are CT scans and PET scans.
Your doctor might need to collect fluid from your brain and spinal cord in order to find the cause of a brain infection and other abnormalities.
Mental health disorders are usually diagnosed based on how you are currently feeling and what has happened in your life so far.
The outlook for people with brain disorders depends on the type and severity of the brain disorder. Some brain disorders are easily treated with medication and therapy. For example, millions of people with mental disorders live perfectly normal lives.
There are some diseases that have no cure, like neurodegenerative diseases and some traumatic brain injuries. People with these conditions often have permanent changes in their behavior, mental abilities, or coordination. Treatment will focus on helping you manage the illness and preventing further damage. Enable independence as possible.
More information click here
Headaches in children: Causes, Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Head and neck cancer : Causes, Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
head disease/Brain Disorders: Causes, Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Headaches:Disease analysis results/Causes of Headaches