5 tips to care neurological disorder patients
TRANSCRIPT
5 tips to care Neurological
disorder patients
What is Neurological Disorders?Neurological disorders are diseases of the brain, spine and the nerves that connect them.
There are more than 600 diseases of the nervous system, such as brain tumors, epilepsy,
Parkinson's disease and stroke as well as less familiar ones such as fronto-temporal
dementia.
Conditions
• Brain Tumors
• Epilepsy
• Headache
• Memory Disorders
• Parkinson's disease
• Stroke
What is Brain tumors?
A brain tumor or intracranial neoplasm occurs when
abnormal cells form within the brain. A primary brain tumor
is a tumor which begins in the brain. If a cancerous tumor
which starts elsewhere in the body sends cells which end
up growing in the brain, such tumors are then called
secondary or metastatic brain tumors.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a disorder marked by recurring seizures due to
abnormal activity of nerve cells, called neurons, in the brain.
Epilepsy may have many possible causes such as an imbalance of
nerve-signaling chemicals called neurotransmitters or an attempt
by the brain to repair itself after a head injury or stroke, which
could inadvertently generate abnormal nerve connections.
What is Headache?
Headache is a very common symptom and can affect people of all
ages. Severe or recurring headaches, especially those
accompanied by other symptoms, may be a sign of a more serious
disorder and should be treated by a doctor.
Conditions
• Cluster Headaches
• Migraine
• Tension Headaches
What is Memory Disorders?Memory loss may be due to many conditions such as small
strokes in the brain, diabetes, high blood pressure, nutritional
deficiencies, reactions to medications and alcoholism. Even
depression can cause symptoms similar to dementia. Memory
loss itself does not mean you have dementia.
What is Parkinson's disease?
• Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that targets brain
cells that control movement. Symptoms include tremors,
stiffness and poor balance, as well as depression or dementia.
What is Stroke?
A stroke, sometimes referred to as a cerebrovascular
accident (CVA), brain attack is the loss of brain function due to a
disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. When a stroke occurs,
a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or bursts, sometimes
causing permanent brain injury or even death.
Some of the treatments like
• Brain Mapping
• Cyberknife
• Deep Brain Stimulation
• Gamma Knife
5 ways to take care
Neurological disorder patients
• A physician makes the diagnosis. Primary care physicians,
neurologists, and psychiatrists are all very adept at making
these diagnoses. Although there is currently no cure for some
disorders, there are many medications that will slow the
progression of the disease, and in some cases, extend a
patient's cognition longer than they would have had without
medications.
Seek medical treatment.
• Make changes in your home that will protect the person you are
caring for. Limit access to dangerous areas and medicine
cabinets. Install child-safety locks and automatic shut-off
devices. It may become necessary to take measures that will
prevent them from leaving the house and wandering off.
Create a safe environment
• Help your friend or loved one find a nutritionist that can form a
diet plan to keep her body functioning at optimum levels. Go
grocery shopping and stock up on healthy foods. Encourage
your friend to drink lots of water.
Help the patients
• Your loved one may forget names for common objects. It will
not help to remind. A person with dementia will not benefit from
an argument. Offer love, emotional support, spiritual support,
interesting activities, and social interaction with understanding
people.
Create a supportive environment.
• Although a person with any brain disorder may not be able to
say who you are, or recognize even the closest relatives or
friends, often their feelings can be expressed through
interactions geared towards their current capabilities. Almost
everyone is capable of receiving love and kindness. Enjoy
sharing memories from the person's past for as long as you
and they are able.
Share laughter as much as possible.