There are more than 600 recognized neurological conditions, including common diagnoses such as Alzheimer’s, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Migraine, or Multiple Sclerosis. India has roughly 30 million people with various neurological disorders.
Definitions
Neurological disorders are diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. In other words, the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, peripheral nerves, nerve roots, autonomic nervous system, neuromuscular junction, and muscles.
There are more than 600 recognised neurological conditions which vary in the type of
symptoms experienced, and the acute, chronic, remissive or degenerative nature of the
condition.
Variations
Causes
The specific causes of neurological problems vary, but can include genetic disorders,
congenital abnormalities or disorders, infections, lifestyle or environmental health
problems including malnutrition, and brain injury, spinal cord injury, nerve injury and
gluten sensitivity.
Treatments
Interventions for neurological disorders include preventative measures, lifestyle changes,
physiotherapy or other therapy, neurorehabilitation, pain management, medication,
operations performed by neurosurgeons or a specific diet.
Statistics in India
The prevalence rates of the spectrum of neurological disorders from different regions of
India ranged from 967–4,070 with a mean of 2394 per 100000 population. This provides a
rough estimate of over 30 million people with neurological disorders (excluding
neuroinfections and traumatic injuries). Prevalence and incidence rates of common
disorders including epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and tremors determined
through population‑based surveys show considerable variation across different regions
of the country.