From Brain Injuries to Dementia… What are the different types of 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 or disabilities that affect your brain. This includes conditions that are caused by:

  • illness
  • genetics
  • traumatic injury

This is a broad category of disorders, which vary greatly in symptoms and severity. Keep reading to learn about some of the largest categories of brain disorders.

Different Types of Brain Disorders

Brain injuries

Brain injuries are often caused by blunt trauma. Trauma can damage brain tissue, neurons, and nerves. This damage affects your brain’s ability to communicate with the rest of your body.

Examples of the symptoms of a brain injury include:

  • vomiting
  • nausea
  • speech difficulty
  • bleeding from the ear
  • numbness
  • paralysis
  • memory loss
  • problems with concentration

Depending on the type of injury you have, treatment may include medication, rehabilitation, or brain surgery.

Brain tumors

Sometimes, tumors form in the brain and can be very dangerous. The cause of brain tumors is largely unknown. They can occur in people of any age. Symptoms of brain tumors depend on the size and location of the tumor. The most common symptoms of brain tumors are:

  • headaches
  • seizures
  • numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • changes in personality
  • difficulty with movement or balance
  • changes in your hearing, speech, or vision

The type of treatment you’ll receive depends on many different factors, such as the size of the tumor, your age, and your overall health.

Neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases cause your brain and nerves to deteriorate over time. They can change your personality and cause confusion. They can also destroy your brain’s tissue and nerves.
Some brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, may develop as you age. They can slowly impair your memory and thought processes. Other diseases, such as Tay-Sachs disease, are genetic and begin at an early age.

Some of the more common symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases include:

  • memory loss
  • forgetfulness
  • apathy
  • anxiety
  • agitation
  • a loss of inhibition
  • mood changes

Treatment for these diseases tries to reduce symptoms and maintain quality of life. Treatment often involves the use of medications to control symptoms.

Mental disorders

Mental disorders, or mental illnesses, are a large and diverse group of conditions that affect your behavior patterns. Some of the most frequently diagnosed mental disorders are:

  • depression
  • anxiety
  • bipolar disorder
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • schizophrenia

The symptoms of mental disorders vary based on the condition. Different people can experience the same mental disorders very differently. You should talk to your doctor if you notice a change in your behavior, thought patterns, or moods.

If you think you might have a mental disorder, it’s important to talk to your doctor to come up with a treatment plan that works for you. There are many resources available — don’t try to self-medicate.

At Rehealth, we believe that having informed patients is the only way to deliver optimal healthcare. Please visit our website to find out more interesting content and be a part of an amazing health integrated community!

Sources:
www.healthline.com/health/brain-disorders#types

Michelle Ibarra

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