Neurology- the branch of medicine that deals with the nervous system and its diseases.

Neurological diseases-
1 Headache & facial pain- Headache is one of the most frequent neurological symptoms but it is seldom associated with significant neurological diseases unless accompanied by other symptoms or neurological signs. Nevertheless, patients suffering from headaches usually fear serous brain disease. In order to manage them effectively. It is important to be aware of this mismatch between fear of disease & its actual likelihood careful clinical assessment usually identifies one of a limited member of headache of facial pain syndromes like Tension headache, migraine, cluster headache, Atypical facial pain etc.
                                                                          

2 Dizziness, Blackouts & “Funny Turns’-
Episodes of lost or altered consciousness are a frequent symptom in primary care & in hospital practice, especially in the elderly. A patient may complain of ‘blacking out’ “going dizzy’, “coming over queer” having a funny turn, or other local variants. The first task is to discover exactly what the patient means be the terms used. Some patient for example, mean by’ blackout’ that their vision darkens without alteration in consciousness, more often’ blackout’ is used to describe an episode of lost consciousness with or without falling down. The terms ‘blackout’ & “Funny turn’ can also be used to refer to transient periods of amnesia, when the patient loses memory for a period of time. ‘Dizziness’ is used frequently to describe abnormal perception of movement of the environment (vertigo), but may be used to mean a feeling of faintness, some other alteration of consciousness or unsteadiness. Anxiety is the most common cause of ‘dizziness’ in those under 65years.
                                                                            

3 Bell’s Palsy-
This is a common condition affecting all ages and both sexes, The cause is unknown, but the site of damage is probably the portion of the facial nerve lying within the facial canal Recent evidence suggests that Bell’s Palsy may be due to reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus -1 infection since HSV-1 virus genome has identified in facial nerve endoneural fluid and in saliva of patients with Bell’s Palsy. The onset is subacute, with symptoms usually developing over a few hours. Pain around the ear may precede loss of movement on one side of the face, initially noticed either by the patient or by family.

 

1 Meningitis- Acute infection of the meninges present with the characteristic combination of pyrexia, headache & meningism.
Viral meningitis-Viral infection is the most common cause of meningitis and usually results in a benign and self-limiting illness requiring no specific therapy. A number of viruses can cause meningitis. The most common being echoviruses and where specific immunization is not employed the mumps virus.
Clinical features- The condition occurs mainly in children or young adults, with acute onset of headache and irritability and the rapid development of meningism. In viral meningitis the headache is usually the more severe feature.                                    

2 Myasthenia gravis- This condition is characterized by progressive inability to sustain a maintained or repeated contraction of striated muscle.
Clinical features-The disease usually presents between the ages of 15 & 50 years, with women affected more often than men. It tends to run a relapsing & remitting course, especially during the early years. The first symptoms are usually intermittent ptosis or diplopia, but weakness of chewing, swallowing, speaking or limb movement also occurs.
                                                                     

3 Trigeminal Neuralgia
Clinical features- This condition causes very sharp lancinating pains in the second & third divisions of the trigeminal nerve territory. Usually in middle-aged or elderly patients. The pain is severe & very brief, but repetitive, causing the patient to finish as if with motor tic, hence the French term for the condition “tic douloureux’. The pain may be precipitated by touching trigger zones within the trigeminal territory or by eating & so on usually there are no other signs.    

4 Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
Clinical features- About three-quarters of those presenting with a subarachnoid haemorrhage are under 65 years and many are in their fourth decade. Women are more frequently affected than men and this difference increases with advancing age. Subarachnoid haemorrhage typically present  with a sudden severe ‘thunder clap’ headache which lasts  for hours, often accompanied by vomiting Physical exertion, straining and sexual excitement are common antecedents There may be loss of consciousness at the onset, so subarachnoid haemorrhage should be considered if a patient is found comatose at home.