Neurological Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

Your nervous system is made up of your brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Because it controls how you move, think, feel, speak, see, and respond to your surroundings, problems with any of these functions can mean you're dealing with a problem in your nervous system. Your symptoms may be mild, or you may need medical attention right away. Neurological symptoms can be a sign of something temporary, or they could mean you're dealing with something more serious such as a stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), or a brain injury. Knowing which warning signs to watch for can help you get the right care quickly.

It's normal to lose sensation in a limb after pressing on a nerve during sleep or leaning on it for too long. But numbness in your face, arm, or leg that comes on suddenly for no obvious reason is cause for concern, especially if it affects only one side of your body. Things like a drooping face, difficulty lifting an arm, or trouble walking are common signs of a stroke, and you should treat such symptoms like an emergency. You may also have trouble talking or have a bad headache. Call 911 right away, even if your symptoms get better after a few minutes. Fast treatment can help prevent permanent damage.

Neurological problems can affect parts of your brain that process language. You may suddenly struggle to find words, speak clearly, understand conversations, read, or write. Others may notice your speech sounds slurred or confusing. When this comes on suddenly and happens with other stroke signs like numbness, call 911. But if the changes are gradual, it could be a sign of a progressive neurological disorder such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, or Parkinson's disease. It could also be a sign of a brain tumor, head trauma, or seizure disorder.

Vision changes aren't always caused by a problem inside the eye itself. Sometimes they're due to issues with the nerve that goes from your brain to your eye (optic nerve) or parts of your brain that process visual information. You might have blurry vision, see double, have blind spots, see colors less vividly, or temporarily lose vision in one eye. As always, sudden changes in your vision need medical attention right away — call 911 if you're having other signs of a stroke alongside them. Changes over time may point to optic nerve disorders, migraine, or multiple sclerosis. Tell your doctor if you have any changes to your vision.

Everyone trips from time to time, but neurological balance problems feel different. You may veer to one side when walking, feel unsteady on your feet, or have the sensation that you're moving when you're standing still. Sometimes the cause is an inner-ear disorder, but balance problems can also be linked to strokes, Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, or other conditions affecting your brain and nerves. Because strokes can sometimes cause sudden dizziness or loss of coordination, get emergency care if your symptoms come on quickly or are paired with weakness, vision changes, or trouble speaking.

It may be hard to describe some of the symptoms caused by nervous system issues. One of the more unusual sensations may feel like an electric shock that shoots down your neck, back, arms, or legs. Studies show that nearly 1 in 3 people with multiple sclerosis have this sensation (Lhermitte's sign). You may also get this sensation if your spinal cord is compressed by arthritis or another spinal disorder in your neck. The feeling may only last for a few seconds, but often it repeats over time. This may mean your nerves are irritated or damaged. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms continue, especially if you also have numbness, weakness, or balance problems.

Sometimes the first clue of muscle weakness is that everyday tasks start to feel harder than they used to. You may struggle to climb stairs, lift a laundry basket, grip a coffee mug, or keep up with your normal walking pace. Weakness can happen when conditions such as multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, or neuromuscular diseases like ALS or muscular dystrophy interrupt signals between your brain, nerves, and muscles. Sudden weakness — especially on only one side of your body — can be a sign of a stroke and needs medical attention right away.

When a neurological condition is causing memory issues, the effects go beyond misplaced keys or the occasional forgotten word. You may get confused about where you are, who people are, or what's happening around you. These bouts of confusion can be caused by serious infections, medication problems, or head injuries. Dementia is a common cause of memory problems, but it typically happens gradually over time instead of just hours. Family members are often the first to notice if a loved one is disoriented or isn't making sense. If your confusion happens suddenly, seek medical care right away.

You may think of a seizure as an episode of shaking and convulsing, but some seizures cause brief staring spells, repetitive movements, or periods of lost awareness. You may realize that several minutes have passed and have no memory of what happened. Epilepsy is the most common cause of seizures, but they may also happen if you have a brain injury, brain tumors, or an infection that affects your nervous system.

Pain caused by nerve damage often feels like a burning, shooting, or stabbing sensation. Diabetes is one of the most common causes of nerve pain, but shingles, spinal disorders, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological conditions can also trigger it. Your doctor needs to know about nerve pain that lasts over time because it may be a sign of an ongoing nerve injury. The sooner you can pinpoint a cause, the better your chances of preventing further damage.

Your nervous system and bladder are closely connected. Your brain, spinal cord, and nerves constantly coordinate when your bladder holds and releases urine. You may find it hard to hold your pee, have to go very often, deal with leakage, or have trouble emptying your bladder completely. Bladder problems are common in people with multiple sclerosis, but Parkinson's disease and spinal cord disorders can cause similar symptoms. If you're having new bladder symptoms, especially if you're also having leg weakness, numbness, or severe back pain, tell your doctor.

In general, symptoms that happen suddenly are more concerning than those that come on gradually — especially signs of a stroke. When in doubt, call 911 rather than waiting to see whether your symptoms improve. Fast treatment can sometimes prevent serious disability and may even save your life.