Finding the Best Neurosurgeons in Raleigh
On a day-to-day basis, most of us tend to occasionally experience some type of symptom or physical change that was not present the day before. In many cases this can be something as minor as a runny nose or some pain in the neck or back, and we usually give it at least a day or two before growing concerned. Responding to every last symptom we experience would be nearly impossible and cause us to spend most of our lives in the doctor’s office, and is not advised. But when it comes to neurological disorders, there are a number of symptoms that may indicate an underlying problem, and may require a visit to see our neurosurgeons in Raleigh, NC.
The two components of our nervous system are the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord and acts as the central processing center, and the peripheral nervous system, which transmits sensory information between our muscles, tissues and nerves in the rest of the body to the brain. When these connections are disrupted for any reason, a neurological disorder is present and symptoms will occur.
There are more than 600 neurological disorders, and it’s estimated that up to one billion people—or about one in six—throughout the world currently suffers from some type of problem related to their nervous system. These disorders can result from a wide range of different causes, such as infections, genetics, nutrition, environmental influences or injury. In every case, structural, biochemical or electrical abnormalities in the brain, spinal cord or other nerves can lead to neurological symptoms, and in some cases, the exact cause of the problem may not be known.
Neurological symptoms can either arise from one nerve or from a number of them together, and in most cases, symptoms originate in the peripheral nervous system first. Some common physical symptoms of neurological disorders include the following:
- Burning
- Numbness
- Headaches
- Pins-and-needles
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Partial or complete paralysis
- Changes with sensitivity
- Poor cognitive abilities/confusion
- Unexplained pain
- Decreased alertness
- Altered sense of smell or taste
If left untreated, neurological disorders can result in a number of both short- and long-term consequences that can seriously affect your ability to function normally. That’s why it’s important to be aware of these symptoms, and if you notice them occurring in yourself or a loved one, you should get some help. Though an occasional headache or some fatigue may be normal, experiencing numerous symptoms on a regular basis usually implies a greater underlying problem, and you should visit our neurosurgeons in Raleigh, NC for an evaluation.
Though having any of the symptoms above could mean some type of neurological disorder is present and may require treatment, there are other symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition and should therefore be evaluated immediately in an emergency setting. These include:
- Seizures
- Abnormal pupil size or nonreactivity to light
- Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness
- Garbled or slurred speech or inability to speak
- Vision changes or sudden blindness
- Extreme difficulty swallowing
- Loss of muscle coordination
- Severe disorientation
- Respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, wheezing, not breathing, choking
- Sudden paralysis or inability to move a body part
- Dizziness or vertigo
Using your best judgment, if you or someone you are with has any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.
For non-emergencies, our neurosurgeons in Raleigh, NC at Raleigh Neurosurgical Clinic can help determine if a neurological disorder is in fact present and what the best course of treatment is to help you improve. Though surgery may be necessary in certain cases, we often recommend non-surgical treatments first before evaluating that option.
Contact us at 919-785-3400 for more information or to schedule an appointment.