Medical experts have the opinion that early symptoms of neurological disorders should be keenly observed and acted upon urgently. These signs are visible and prominent long before a neurological disorder is actually diagnosed.
Recognizing early symptoms of neurological disorders retains its value. It is critical to recognize these signs, as they could signify the onset of several serious neurodegenerative conditions, such as epilepsy, stroke, or Parkinson’s disease.
In the same regard, a practicing physician has recently shared an Instagram post in which he has highlighted five key red flags to look out for, each of which could be a sign of an impending health condition. They are:
- Tremors when taking rest
- Tremors when in motion
- Progressive memory loss accompanied by confusion
- Weakness in one side of the body accompanied by slurred speech
- Seizures
If anyone experiences early symptoms of neurological disorders, it is important to understand that they have come about resulting from specific underlying causes. They could be something like acute brain injuries or motor control disorders.
With an early diagnosis of these signs, healthcare providers can get started with timely treatments and tests. The odds of complications occurring will correspondingly be lower. As brain function is preserved, long-term outcomes for the patient improve.
5 early symptoms of neurological disorders and ways to identify them:
1. A few of the most important signs related to Parkinson’s disease are stiffness, slowed movement, and resting tremor.
A study was published in 2023 in the Translational Neurodegeneration journal. As per this study, when the hand is at rest, some characteristic motor signs signify a tremor. Other signs that signify a tremor are rigidity, which is increased muscle tone, and bradykinesia, which is slowness of voluntary movement. These three signs are sometimes called the classic motor triad and point towards the impending onset of Parkinson’s disease.
These features come to the fore when dopamine-producing neurons are progressively lost in the Substantia Nigra, which is one of the brain regions. So, in the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, doctors pay heed to these sign patterns and progressions. The response to dopaminergic drugs is also studied in detail.
It is, at this stage, important to confirm the diagnosis such that mimics can be overlooked. Further tests are hence conducted, which include specialist neurological assessment, brain imaging, and clinical rating scales.
2. Tremors during action or when reaching out are frequently considered essential tremor (ET).
In case tremors occur or worsen when voluntary movements are underway, such as when writing or reaching for a cup, it indicates the diagnosis of essential tremor (ET) and not Parkinson’s disease. ET is frequently associated with abnormal activity taking place in the brain’s cerebello-thalamo-cortical network. Fatigue, stress, and caffeine could aggravate this condition.
It is noteworthy that often, for some people, ET improves with small doses of alcohol. However, this is not the case for some other tremor disorders. Further, neurologists assess this occurrence by taking a look at family history and conducting some clinical observations in combination. In some cases, neuroimaging and neurophysiological testing are also used for the same.
3. Progressive cognitive decline, confusion, and memory loss could potentially be dementia syndromes.
A 2022 study published in Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia PMC tells us that when a patient encounters sustained or progressive problems concerning everyday function, planning, judgement, or memory, it might be an indicative sign of dementia. The potential underlying causes of the same could be neurodegenerative conditions such as Lewy body dementia, vascular cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease.
To differentiate dementia from forgetfulness associated with aging, clinicians use cognitive tests and neuroimaging to assess whether cognitive changes are influencing daily activities. Similarly, an attempt is made to identify reversible contributors by conducting blood tests.
If detection is early, reversible factors can be managed better. This, further, simplifies planning for care requirements. In the appropriate cases, symptomatic or disease-modifying therapies are put into application.
4. Slurred speech and sudden weakness on one side are emergency signs of stroke.
A 2024 study published in the BMC Neurology journal tells us that slurred speech or unilateral limb weakness frequently indicates the onset of stroke. The study, when considering first-time stroke patients, found some key symptoms that prompt quicker intervention and emergency care. These symptoms are speech difficulty, arm weakness, and face drooping.
5. Unexplained loss of awareness, jerking, and seizures with blackouts could possibly indicate epilepsy or other neurological causes.
A 2022 study from the American Physician journal tells us that when a patient suffers new-onset seizures such as unexplained blackouts, loss of consciousness, or convulsive jerking, prompt evaluation is called for in the form of neuroimaging and EEG. If a patient demonstrates these symptoms, the odds of contracting epilepsy are higher.
Act fast when early symptoms of neurological disorders get critical
1. Symptoms similar to stroke
This has to be dealt with as an emergency. So, note the time symptoms begin and get in touch with emergency services immediately. If the patient gets to the hospital early, the eligibility for mechanical thrombectomy and clot-busting therapy is enhanced.
2. Repeated convulsive events or new, prolonged seizures
Immediate medical help should be sought. It is best to not put objects in the mouth, and when convulsions end, place the patient in the recovery position.
3. Severe new neurological deficits or acute confusion that rapidly worsens
Urgent assessment is recommended.
Procedures used by specialists for investigating symptoms and diagnosing nervous system disorders
For diagnosis, neurologists combine targeted investigations with focused neurological examination and clinical history.
- Brain imaging, in the form of CT or MRI, is used to detect structural causes, tumors, or stroke.
- EEG characterizes seizure activity.
- Inflammatory, infectious, or metabolic causes are identified using blood tests.
- If Parkinsonism is suspected, movement-disorder rating scales are used and a trial of dopaminergic medication is conducted.
- Neuropsychological testing is undertaken to check for cognitive impairment. This helps devise the course for diagnoses and plan management.
Conclusion
Care for neurodegenerative conditions begins with being well informed. It helps with taking timely action upon observing early symptoms of neurological disorders. This renders repercussions on treatment outcomes. This becomes even more important if one is a senior, resides with a senior, or has a history of neurodegenerative conditions or symptoms.
