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!

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.

Can't sleep in Concord, Huntersville, and Denver NC?

Can't sleep no matter how cozy your bed is in Concord, Huntersville, and Denver NC? It may be a more serious condition than you think. Sleep is such a normal part of our lives, and since we are not conscious while it is happening and a good night of rest seems to pass in a blink of an eye, most of us do not normally think about the fact that we a third of our lives in bed.

Not only is sleep vital for our survival – the body and brain require ample amounts of good sleep every day – but it is also vital for our happiness and psychological well-being. For these reasons and more, when there is any kind of problem with our sleep schedule – no matter how minor – it can have devastating effects on our health and quality of life.  For that reason, there are thousands of neurologists, sleep labs and sleep centers that are available to help you with your sleep problems, including NorthEast Neurology.

What kind of doctor should I see if I can't sleepConcord, Huntersville, and Denver NC?

Neurology is an areaof medicine that treats diseases affecting the nervous system, brain, muscles, and spinal cord. Since sleep and sleep disorders are generally considered to fall under the category of neurological medicine, a patientwho complains of sleep problems, will often be referred doctor to neurologists who specialize in sleep disorders.

What about sleep centers and sleep labs for people who can't sleep?

If you can’t sleep and go to a neurologist regarding your sleep problems, he or she may ask you to spend the night in a sleep center or sleep lab. At the sleep center, they will give you a comfortable bed where you will sleep for the night while technicians monitor virtually every aspect of your breathing, mental activity, and other important factors in order to collect information that your neurologist will use to deduce the exact cause and source of your sleep problems. Your neurologist will even pay attention to your snoring at the Concord area sleep lab, because snoring can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition.

What could be the reason I can’t sleep?

When you can’t sleep, many different factors can be at play. Lifestyle choices, such as caffeine, alcohol, or simply keeping irregular bedtimes could be the reason. External factors in your environment such as traffic noise, snoring bedmate, or hot and cold temperatures in your bedroom could be the cause of your sleep problems. Physiological problems like sleep apnea, bodily aches and pains, and menstruation might be why you can't sleep. Or, it could be psychological; you might be worried or stressed, or simply depressed. The neurologists at NorthEast Neurology in Concord, Huntersville and Denver NC can help find the reason you can’t sleep.

If you can't sleep, a neurologist can help

People who are not sleeping well in Concord, Huntersville, and Denver NC can visit the expert neurological staff at NorthEast Neurology. If you can’t sleep, learn more about NorthEast Neurology right now by visiting their website at www.NorthEastNeurology.org.

Early diagnosis: Key to best treatment for Concord NC Parkinsons patients

Symptoms of Parkinsons, a slow-progressing brain disorder, are treatable under neurologist’s care. Key to the best treatment is the early diagnosis through detection of four major motor Parkinson’s symptoms:

• Shaking or tremor in hands, legs, arms, tongue or jaw
• Slowness of movement
• stiffness or rigidity of the arms, legs or trunk
• trouble with balance and possible falls

If you have any of these symptoms over a period of time, you should make an appointment with NorthEast Neurology right away. Parkinson’s is best treated when diagnosed early!

Parkinsons disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder whose symptoms are caused by damage to the chemical dopamine, located in specific areas of the brain. Dopamine coordinates smooth muscle movements from the brain to the body, and when 60 to 80 percent of dopamine-producing cells are damaged, patients experience Parkinsons symptoms. 

Parkinson's responds well to early treatment, and patients who know the ten warning signs of  Parkinsons disease. Parkinson’s disease seek neurology help sooner and with better treatment success. Ten warning signs of Parkinson’s include tremor, small handwriting, loss of smell, trouble sleeping, trouble moving or walking, constipation, a soft or low voice, masked face, dizziness and fainting, and stooping or hunching over. If you experience any of these symptoms over a period of time, or friends and family have told you they notice these symptoms.

If you suspect Parkinson’s is affecting your quality of life, make an appointment today at NorthEast Neurology in Concord, Huntersville, and Denver NC!

Quality of life improvement for MS symptoms sufferers

Have you or your loved one been experiencing the following early symptoms of MS (multiple sclerosis)?  

• fatigue
• difficulty walking
• numbness
• bladder or bowel dysfunction
• vision problems
• dizziness or vertigo
• sexual dysfunction
• pain
• cognitive dysfunction;
• emotional changes
• depression
• involuntary tightening or spasm of muscles

If you have then it would be best to visit your trusted Huntersville and Denver NC neurologists to rule out MS. According to  Denver NC neurologists, Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable disorder of the central nervous system that affects the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Essentially, the natural defense system of your body attacks myelin, a fatty substance surrounding and protecting nerve fibers of your central nervous system. MS symptoms are not always easy to identify from other disorders, but a neurology visit is an important first step in making a diagnosis and beginning treatment. 

MS symptoms vary from person to person, but they can be debilitating. A visit to NorthEast Neurology can help patients manage early MS symptoms, and possibly reduce the number of relapses and slow down the course of the disease. Neurologists can prescribe any number of FDA-approved medications to modify the course of the disease and treat symptom flare-ups. When patients go in for a neurology examination, they should discuss every symptom so that their neurologist can plan effective, individualized treatments. Early signs of MS may be frightening and debilitating, but when Denver NC area patients seek help from neurologists at NorthEast Neurology they are on the right track to positive disease management!

Alzheimers disease versus normal aging symptoms

Most people do not know the early symptoms of Alzheimers disease. They would even mistake these symptoms for normal signs of aging. Best treated when diagnosed early, Alzheimers have symptoms that must be distinguished from normal age-related memory loss and confusion. Because there is no single test for Alzheimers; neurologists recommend the following:

• a thorough medical exam
• mental status testing
• physical exam
• neurological exam

Other tests may also be conducted to rule out other contributing factors to dementia-like symptoms. According to the Alzheimers Association, the following are Alzheimers symptoms  that mimic normal aging :

• memory changes that disrupt daily life
• challenges in planning or solving problems
• difficulty completing normal tasks
• 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
• changes in mood or personality

Normal aging symptoms are mild and do not progress in frequency or severity. To know whether you or a loved one is experiencing early signs of Alzheimers, the best thing to do is schedule a neurology appointment for a thorough medical exam. NorthEast Neurology provides a caring and understanding neurological staff to help, at locations in Concord, Huntersville, and Denver NC.

NorthEast Neurology: Three NC locations for your neurology needs

Neurology, a medical specialty of brain and nervous system, covers variety of diseases, disorders. NorthEast Neurology in Concord, Huntersville and Denver NC area offer diagnosis and treatment for stroke, Alzheimers disease and other memory disturbances, headache, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease and other movement disorders, sleep disorders, and neuropathy. 

Nonthreatening care at NorthEast Neurology

Are you experiencing debilitating symptoms such as confusion or blackouts, seizures or memory loss? The best neurologists in Concord, Huntersville and Denver NC, provides the best personalized care for neurological disorders in the area.

Tips on preparing for a neurological appointment

• Write down all your questions in a notebook
• Bring an advocate along for helpful support.
• Make sure you have a complete health history available and also know your family history. 
• If you had any medical procedures or x-rays taken before the visit, make sure to bring results with you. 
• Bring relevant contact information along to the neurological clinic as well. 
• Do not forget your insurance card and doctor referral if needed. 

Many patients feel intimidated with neurology. When patients start experiencing confusing symptoms that may affect their daily living they have to go to a neurological clinic for your neurology needs. If you have neurology questions and you want the best neurologists available, call NorthEast Neurology today! They have neurology associates in three locations: Concord, Huntersville, and Denver NC.  Visit NorthEastNeurology for more information.