Neurological disorders occur from damage to any part of the nervous system. In more than 600 neurological disorders, activities affected include speech, breathing, movement, swallowing or the ability to learn. The brain is the central processing part of the entire nervous system. Any breakdown of communication to the brain may result in a neurological disorder.
Tourette Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome (TS) is an inherited neurological disorder noted for involuntary body movements and vocalizations known as "tics." KidsHealth reports boys are more likely to have TS. Motor tics involve the face and neck, with movements such as nose twitching, shoulder shrugging and eye blinking. Other movements include involuntary kicking and jumping. Vocal tics of TS include involuntary sniffing, clearing the throat and grunting verbalization of words.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS), the most common neurological disorder among young adults, is a disorder that damages the myelin (protection) around the nerves. Interruption of nerve impulses from the brain and spinal cord causes impaired bodily function. The Multiple Sclerosis Association reports that of the six types of multiple sclerosis, RRMS (relapsing-remitting form of MS) accounts for about 80 percent of all MS cases. PPMS (primary-progressive MS) accounts for most of the other 20 percent. Uncommon types of MS include benign, progressive-relapsing and malignant MS.
Muscular Dystrophies
Muscular dystrophy (MD), a group of inherited muscle diseases, causes the muscles to become progressively weaker. The Muscular Dystrophy Association reports nine distinctive types of MD. Diseases presenting from birth through childhood include myotonic muscular dystrophy, congenital muscular dystrophy, Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Adolescent- or adulthood-onset varieties include Becker muscular dystrophy, Limb-Girdle muscular dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, distal muscular dystrophy and oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophies vary in severity and progression from mild and slow progression to the rapid loss of muscle function, including the ability to walk.
Bell's Palsy
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports Bell's palsy is a temporary paralysis affecting the facial nerves. Symptoms vary from a mild facial muscle weakness to extremely severe, total facial paralysis. Treatment may include a combination of anti-inflammatory and antiviral medications, along with some type of analgesic for pain.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that manifests as seizures or convulsions caused by the interruption of normal neuron activity of the brain. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports causes of epilepsy include illness, brain damage and abnormal brain development. Two or more seizures are required before making a diagnosis. Medical and surgical control of seizures works in about 80 percent of people with epilepsy.
