What’s Really Happening Inside Your Brain and Nerves

A quick guide to common neurological conditions and what they mean.

The brain and nerves play a vital role in controlling movement, memory, and daily functions. When changes occur, it can be concerning. Symptoms such as persistent headaches, numbness, or difficulty with speech may indicate an underlying neurological condition. Understanding these conditions can help in recognising early signs and seeking appropriate medical advice.

At Singapore Brain Spine and Nerves Centre, we provide information on various neurological conditions, from common disorders to more complex medical conditions. This blog aims to offer insights into symptoms, causes, and management options available.

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A: 

Acoustic Neuromas - A benign tumor in the nerve that connects the ear to the brain

Acromegaly - A disorder marked by progressive enlargement of the head, face, hands, feet and thorax, due to the excessive secretion of growth hormone.

Agnosia - Absence of the ability to recognize the form and nature of persons and things.

Amnesia - Loss of memory caused by brain damage or by severe emotional trauma

Anencephaly - Absence of the greater part of the brain, skull and scalp.

Aphasia - Difficulty with or loss of the use of language; failure to understand the written, printed or spoken word not related to intelligence, but to specific lesions in the brain.

Aneurysm - Dilation of an artery, formed by a circumscribed enlargement of its wall.

Apoplexy - A condition in which there is bleeding into an organ or blood flow to an organ has ceased.

Arteriovenous Malformation - Tangle of abnormal and poorly formed blood vessels (arteries and veins) with an innate propensity to bleed.

Astrocytoma - Tumor within the brain or spinal cord made up of astrocytes; ranges from slow-growing to rapid-growing

Ataxia - A loss of voluntary muscle coordination.

B:

Bell’s Palsy - Paralysis of facial muscles (usually one side) due to a facial nerve damage or dysfunction.

Brown-Sequard’s Syndrome - Loss of sensation and function on one side of the body; often caused by a spinal cord tumor or trauma to the spinal cord.

C:

Carcinoma -  A malignant growth of epithelial or gland cells; a synonymous term for cancer.

Chorea- A disorder, typically occurring in childhood, characterised by irregular, spasmodic involuntary movements of the limbs or facial muscles.

Craniopharyngioma -A benign tumoUr arising from the embryonic duct in the pituitary gland

Craniosynostosis- Premature closure of cranial sutures, limiting or distorting the growth of the skull.

D: 

Dystonia Musculorum Deformans- An affliction marked by muscular contractions producing distortions of the spine and hips.

E:

Epilepsy-  Disorder characterized by repeated seizures caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain.

G: 

Glioblastoma - A rapidly growing tumor composed of primitive glial cells, mainly arising from astrocytes.

Glioma - A tumor formed by glial cells.

H:

Hemangioma - An accumulation of multiple, dilated blood vessels in the skin.

Hemianopia - Loss of vision of one-half of the visual field as a result of a stroke or brain injury; also known as hemianopsia.

Hemiplegia -  Paralysis of one side of the body.

Hydrocephalus -  A condition, often congenital, marked by abnormal and excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the cerebral ventricles; results in dilated ventricles. In infants and young children, this condition often causes the head to enlarge. 

L :

Leukodystrophy -  Disturbance of the white matter of the brain; white matter is a component of the central nervous system and helps transmits signals through the regions of the brain.

M :  

Medulloblastoma - Malignant brain tumor composed of medulloblasts, which are cells that develop in the fourth ventricle of the brain. 

Meningioma - A firm, often vascular, tumor arising from the coverings of the brain; the most common primary brain tumor.

Meningitis - An infection or inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord

MyopathyAny disease of muscle.

N:

Neuroblastoma - Malignant tumour arising from nerve tissue; commonly found in infants and children.

Neuroma - A tumour or new growth largely made up of nerve fibers and connective tissue.

Neuropathy- Any functional or pathologic disturbance in the peripheral nervous system.

O:

Oligodendroglioma- A growth of new cells derived from the oligodendroglia.

P:

Paraplegia-  Paralysis of the lower part of the body, including the legs.

Q:

Quadriplegia - Paralysis of all four limbs; also known as tetraplegia

S:

Spina Bifida - A congenital defect of the spine marked by the absence of a portion of the spine.

Syringomyelia- A condition in which a fluid-filled cavity or cyst forms in the spinal cord.

T:

Trigeminal Neuralgia- Disorder that causes trigeminal nerve pain in the face; also known as tic douloureux.

The nervous system affects every part of the body. Neurological conditions may impact movement, sensation, and cognitive function. Some conditions, such as Bell’s palsy and epilepsy, affect specific nerves, while others, including aneurysms and glioblastomas, involve changes in brain structure.

Recognising symptoms early may assist in determining the next steps for care. If you or a loved one experience unexplained neurological symptoms, seeking medical evaluation can provide clarity. At Singapore Brain Spine and Nerves Centre, we are committed to providing professional medical care and support. If you have concerns, consult a healthcare professional to understand more about your neurological health.