Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Neurological Conditions
Number of Conditions: 5
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders
Sub-category: Neurological Conditions
Symptoms:
sudden, temporary loss of vision in one eye; sudden difficulty speaking or understanding speech; sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, usually on one side of the body; sudden dizziness or loss of balance
Root Cause:
A temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, often due to a clot or narrowing of the blood vessels.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical and neurological exam. MRI or CT scan. Carotid ultrasound. Blood tests.
Treatment:
Antiplatelet medications (e.g., aspirin). Management of underlying risk factors like hypertension or high cholesterol. In some cases, surgery to remove blockages or prevent stroke.
Medications:
Aspirin or clopidogrel (antiplatelets). Statins for cholesterol control. Antihypertensives to control blood pressure.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 200,000 cases in the U.S. annually.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, age, family history.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
High risk of a full stroke following a TIA, especially if untreated; early intervention can reduce the risk of a major stroke.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Stroke, cognitive impairments, memory loss, permanent disability.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders
Sub-category: Neurological Conditions
Symptoms:
numbness or tingling in the hands or feet; weakness in the affected area; sensitivity to touch; pain that may be sharp, burning, or throbbing
Root Cause:
Damage to the peripheral nerves, often caused by diabetes, infections, or vitamin deficiencies.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Neurological exam. Nerve conduction studies. Blood tests to check for diabetes or vitamin deficiencies. Electromyography (EMG).
Treatment:
Pain management (anticonvulsants, antidepressants). Physical therapy. Addressing underlying causes like diabetes control.
Medications:
Gabapentin or pregabalin (anticonvulsants for pain relief). Amitriptyline or duloxetine (antidepressants for neuropathic pain). Capsaicin cream for localized pain relief.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 2-3% of the general population, with higher rates among diabetics (up to 50% of those with diabetes).
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Diabetes, excessive alcohol use, autoimmune diseases, certain medications, infections, vitamin deficiencies.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Can be managed with treatment, but nerve damage is often permanent. Symptoms may worsen if underlying causes are not treated.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Loss of sensation, increased risk of falls, muscle weakness, infections due to unnoticed injuries.
Stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic)
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders
Sub-category: Neurological Conditions
Symptoms:
sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body); sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination
Root Cause:
Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain. Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, causing bleeding.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Medical history review. Physical and neurological exams. Imaging tests like CT scan, MRI, or angiography. Blood tests.
Treatment:
Ischemic stroke - Thrombolytics (clot-busting drugs), antiplatelet therapy, surgery, rehabilitation. Hemorrhagic stroke - Surgery to repair blood vessels, blood pressure management, and other supportive treatments.
Medications:
Ischemic stroke - Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to dissolve blood clots (thrombolytic), antiplatelets (e.g., aspirin ), anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin ), statins to lower cholesterol. Hemorrhagic stroke - Medications to control bleeding and reduce brain pressure (e.g., mannitol ), blood pressure medication, anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin if seizures occur).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 15 million people worldwide annually, with about 5 million deaths and 5 million permanent disabilities.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High blood pressure, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history, older age, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Can range from full recovery to permanent disability depending on severity and timely treatment. Rehabilitation is essential for recovery.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Paralysis, speech and language problems, cognitive deficits, depression, increased risk of recurrent strokes, pneumonia, and blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis).
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders
Sub-category: Neurological Conditions
Symptoms:
difficulty walking (gait disturbance); urinary incontinence; cognitive impairment (memory problems, confusion)
Root Cause:
An accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain's ventricles that causes pressure but with normal CSF pressure levels.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
MRI or CT scans. Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to assess CSF dynamics. Clinical evaluation.
Treatment:
Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt surgery to drain excess fluid.
Medications:
No specific medications for treatment; surgery is the main approach.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 1 in 1,000 older adults, though many cases go undiagnosed.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, previous brain injury, infections affecting the brain.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Can improve significantly with shunt surgery, but outcomes vary based on the severity of symptoms before treatment.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Gait problems, cognitive decline, persistent urinary incontinence.
Seizure Disorders (e.g., Late-Onset Epilepsy)
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Neurological and Cognitive Disorders
Sub-category: Neurological Conditions
Symptoms:
uncontrollable shaking or jerking of the body; loss of consciousness; temporary confusion, staring spells; aura (a sensation before a seizure)
Root Cause:
Abnormal electrical activity in the brain leading to seizures, often due to brain injury, tumors, or strokes in older adults.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
EEG (electroencephalogram). MRI or CT scan. Blood tests.
Treatment:
Anticonvulsant medications (e.g., valproate, levetiracetam). Lifestyle modifications and seizure triggers management.
Medications:
Levetiracetam (anticonvulsant). Lamotrigine (anticonvulsant). Valproate (anticonvulsant).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some point in their life; late-onset epilepsy is more common in older adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Stroke, brain injury, brain tumors, infections, Alzheimer’s disease.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate treatment; seizures can be controlled in many cases, but in some, they may persist despite medication.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cognitive impairments, memory loss, risk of falls, social stigma, depression, injury due to falls during seizures.