MS symptoms every NC resident should know

MS symptoms affect between 2 and 150 out of every 100,000 people.  What that means is that within the Concorde, Huntersville and Denver NC area, there are people who suffer from MS, the short name for the disease called Multiple Sclerosis.

While many individuals with MS have not been diagnosed, many of them have. In fact, many local patients suffering from the early symptoms of MS seek medical treatment from the local neurological offices of NorthEast Neurology located in Concorde, Huntersville and Denver NC.When MS patients go to Northeast neurology, the doctors there look for specific complaints. These include numbness and tingling, balance problems, weakness and fatigue, and vision problems.

Numbness and tingling

Everyone has experienced the temporary loss of sensation in the hands and feet because of the way they were sitting, or just because it was cold outside. However, for people who suffer from MS, abnormal sensations like this are par for the course. These kinds of needles-and-pins complaints are not in and of themselves serious; however, they could be indicative of a much more serious condition.

Vertigo and other balance problems

MS symptoms of vertigo result from problems that develop inside the part of the nervous system that manages the ability of the body to stay in balance. Patients with MS may say that they feel dizzy or that they do not feel quite right on their feet.

The problem of vertigo may also make it difficult for patients to walk. In fact, several MS symptoms can make it difficult for patients to walk. Numbness in the lower extremities can cause walking to be extremely hazardous. Also, muscle fatigue and muscle spasms can contribute to walking problems.

Chronic tiredness, exhaustion and fatigue

Most people who suffer from MS symptoms complain about chronic tiredness, exhaustion and fatigue. That fatigue can include muscle fatigue, mental tiredness, wanting to sleep, or just simply not having the energy to do anything at all. In fact, the exhaustion experienced by MS patients is not the result of physical activity.  Many sufferers are extremely tired in spite of sleeping well and getting a lot of rest the night before.

Problems with vision

Most people suffering from MS symptoms also have problems with their sight.  In fact, optic neuritis is a disease that about 55 percent of people with MS also have. Blurred vision, color blindness, or loss of vision in one eye sick can results from optic neuritis.

How to find a neurologist in Concorde, Huntersville, and Denver NC

Concorde, Huntersville, and Denver NC residents can also schedule an appointment to consult with a neurologist in NorthEast Neurology about MS.

Alzheimers patients not alone in Concord NC area!

Alzheimer's patients experience an array of symptoms that may go unnoticed at first, but gradually become more of a concern as patients show an increase in the confusion and forgetfulness that are hallmarks of the disorder. Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging, and knowing its early symptoms can help patients and loved ones find early treatment. There is no test for Alzheimer's, but there are ten warning signs that can help you decide whether a visit to a neurologist is necessary.  Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatment is available and research continues to make strides in understanding this complex neurological disorder.

Alzheimer's 10 warning signs helpful patient tool

Alzheimer's is not a normal sign of aging, though most patients it affects are age 65 and older. Diagnosed by neurologists,Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia which causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It is progressive and the stages of Alzheimer's develop slowly. Sometimes it is difficult to know whether forgetting your car keys, or that feeling of wanting to say something that is right on the tip of your tongue but you just cannot remember the word, is typical or something to be concerned about. The Alzheimer's Association has 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's symptoms, to help alleviate anxiety, or raise a red flag is necessary. If you or someone you love is experiencing neurology symptoms that include memory that disrupts daily life; challenges in planning or solving problems; difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure; confusion with time or place; trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships; new problems with words in speaking or writing; misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps; decreased or poor judgment; withdrawal from work or social activities; or changes in mood or personality, make a call to the Huntersville NC specialists at NorthEast Neurology for an assessment to see if these symptoms may indicate a diagnosis of Alzheimer's.

Can Alzheimer's be prevented?

Alzheimer's currently has no cure but its prevention is something researchers continue to explore. Neurologists treat symptoms of Alzheimer's with a variety of strategies, and there are some medications that show promise in treating early symptoms. Still, patients want to know what they can do to prevent symptoms from occurring, and research does point to some interesting strategies. There is no preventive drug on the market now for Alzheimer's disease, but research is ongoing and making strides. Researchers know that the risk of Alzheimer's symptoms and dementia increases as a result of many conditions that damage the heart and blood vessels, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and high cholesterol. Controlling cardiovascular risk factors may also protect brain health. Regular physical exercise may also be a factor in lowering the risk of Alzheimer's. Heart healthy eating patterns, such as a Mediterranean diet that emphasizes nuts, whole grains, olive oil, fish and shellfish, fruits and vegetables, as well as limits red meats, may stave off Alzheimer's and other dementia symptoms. Getting out and socializing with friends and family is also another exciting find among Alzheimer's researchers. One of the newest and strongest links discovered is between head trauma and the development of Alzheimer's.  Alzheimer's has no cure and there is no preventative treatment on the market, but lifestyle changes are something all Concord patients can focus on to do their part to prevent the onset of Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's is a complex disease and sometimes difficult to diagnose because patients may not recognize symptoms. Neurologists encourage patients to know the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's so an early diagnosis can be made and treatment begun for Alzheimer's symptoms.  Patients do not have to feel helpless to prevent Alzheimer's, as the latest research shows a heart and brain connection that can be addressed right now from home. Alzheimer's is best identified by neurologists, and if you suspect you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, call the expert physicians at NorthEast Neurology for an appointment today!

Discover why you can’t sleep in Concord NC

When you can’t sleep, there can be serious consequences. Chronic sleep deprivation affects your health, performance, safety and even your income. Sometimes sleep problems pop up because of stress or medical issues, and even mental health issues; sometimes it is because we choose to stay out late with friends, rather than get a good night’s sleep. This sort of sleep deprivation is usually made up for in time; it is when patients can’t sleep over more than a few days or weeks, and sleep problems become a chronic issue that neurologists may need to step in and figure out the cause.

Most people can’t sleep because they have an undiagnosed sleep disorder. Most people in the Huntersville and Denver NC area who have an undiagnosed sleep disorder will wake up after sleeping for hours but still be tired. They may be sleepy during the day, and chalk it up to the kids keeping them awake, or other stressors, when in reality, they are experiencing sleep problems related to sleep disorders. NorthEast Neurology is where patients go when they are tired of being tired, and want to know why they can’t sleep.

Side effects of sleep problems are serious

When you can’t sleep, your body and brain do not function as well as it should. Did you know that a reduction in nighttime sleep by only one and half hours could affect your daytime alertness by up to 32%? This decreased alertness can affect your memory and problem solving abilities, as well as affect your ability to pay attention for long periods of time. Going the movies, watching television with a spouse, even participating in activities with your children may all be affected because you are too sleepy to actively take part. Sleep problems can severely impact relationships, particularly among spouses who are kept awake because of sleep disruptions, or a partner’s moodiness when they just can’t sleep.

Concord area residents should also know that sleep problems increase the risk for workplace injury twofold; and according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), conservative estimates indicate that each year drowsy driving is responsible for at least 100,000 automobile crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities. These statistics are scary and anyone who routinely can’t sleep or is suffering from chronic sleep problems should heed the warning and see the professionals at NorthEast Neurology for an evaluation.

Sleep centers could help discover why you can’t sleep in Huntersville NC

When you can’t sleep and neurologists are involved in diagnosing your sleep problem, they may ask you to spend the night in a sleep center. The sleep lab is designed like your bedroom at home, only patients are monitored throughout the night for signs of snoring or other symptoms that point to sleep disorders. Sleep centers are commonplace now, and within the controlled environment of sleep labs, patients are monitored using polysomnography, equipment that includes surface electrodes that will attach to your face and scalp to send recorded electrical signals to the measuring equipment. These signals, which are generated by your brain and muscle activity, are then recorded digitally. Measurements of your breathing are done using belts placed around your chest and abdomen. Finally, an oximeter probe, very much like a small bandage, is placed on your finger to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood. Though this equipment may seem uncomfortable, most patients fall asleep quite easily.

When you can’t sleep, it may be because you are experiencing sleep problems or snoring issues related to sleep disorders. These sleep problems are evaluated by neurologists and monitored at a sleep lab to help get to the bottom of why you can’t sleep. If you live in Concord, Huntersville and the Denver, NC, area and you can’t sleep, call the neurologists at NorthEast Neurology inConcord, Huntersville and the Denver, NC today to see if you may need to spend the night in a sleep lab to uncover the mystery to your sleep problems.

Restless legs: an irresistible urge to move

Restless legs syndrome causes sufferers to have an intense need to move their legs. Observers may not understand why the person needs to move their legs, but if you have experienced restless legs, then you completely understand why it is next to impossible not to keep your legs still.

Restless leg syndrome – also known as Willis Ekbom disease – is classified by doctors as a neurological disorder. Countless people suffer from this disease inConcord, Huntersville, and Denver NC and they receive treatment for it from neurologists every day; even more people suffer from the disease withoutany idea that something is wrong and that restless legs require attention from neurologists at NorthEast Neurology. 

What are the symptoms of restless legs syndrome?

While some doctors disagree that restless legs syndrome is classifiable as a disease, most people in Concord, Huntersville, and Denver NCwho suffer from it would certainly disagree. Symptoms include an extremely unpleasant experience of having a tickle which no amount of scratching and itching can resolve. Others say it feels like someone is tickling their legs incessantly and there is nothing they can do to make it stop.

Restless legs usually get worse at night, and bed partners may witness their bedmate jerking their legs and moving all around the bed in an attempt to get comfortable. Movement is usually the only thing that can provide relief.  Neurologists believe that it is the process of moving the legs which stimulates the nerves and provides a certain amount of relief, but it is only temporary.Restless legs sufferers usually have to keep moving their legs, and this costs them a good night of sleep.

What treatments are available?

Because of the way restless legs can disrupt the quality sleep and quality of life – especially in more severe cases – many people use a variety of medications, which are prescribedby neurologists at NorthEast Neurology to treat the disease.  Other treatment options include stretching, exercise, or simply going for a walk.

If you have restless legs, consider seeing a neurologist

For many people, the first step toward resolving their restless legs syndrome involves going to see a neurologist who can diagnose the condition and provide a treatment plan.  Indeed, any condition that has the potential to destroy the quality of your sleep, like restless legs syndrome, certainly warrants a visit to your neurologist for evaluation.

If you live in the vicinity of Concord, Huntersville, and Denver NCand you or your loved one believes that restless legs syndrome may be a problem in your household, you can benefit from the expert services available at NorthEast Neurology. At NorthEast Neurology, they specialize in all types of neurological conditions, including restless leg syndrome. Do not delay, see how NorthEastNeurology can help give your restless legs the rest they need today.