FAQs

FREQUENTLY QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

We have gathered together some frequently asked questions to help you understand more about the condition. The list of questions is not exhaustive and should be used in conduction with the A-Z of conditions.

The conditions listed on sub headings include: Dystonia, Encephalitis, Epilepsy, Head Injury, Parkinson's Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Stroke.

What is a neurological condition?

Neurological conditions are health disorders involving the brain and nervous system and may be caused by physical injury or result from biochemical causes. A neurological condition may cause paralysis of any part of the body. They include multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, dementia, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and Huntingdon's disease and acquired brain injury.

Many of the precise causes of neurological conditions are not yet known. Neurological conditions affect young and old, men and women and people from all cultures and ethnicities. Multiple sclerosis is more prevalent in the northern hemisphere.

Some neurological conditions are life-long or people can experience onset at any time in their lives. Cerebral palsy is present from birth whilst muscular dystrophy appears in early childhood. Some conditions such as Huntington's disease have a genetic link and can also occur in young people.

Stroke and Parkinson's disease are commonly thought of as occurring in older people, but there are incidents of stroke, Parkinson's in younger people. Epilepsy can impact at any time of life with 25% of people who had a stroke developing epilepsy.

Many neurological conditions are rare, but the issues facing people living with a long term neurological conditions, in terms of their treatment, care, employment and leisure opportunities, and quality of life, are often the same.

How many people in the UK live with a long-term condition?

Based on the best information currently available:

-  1 in 6 of the UK population has a neurological condition that has a significant   
impact on their lives
-  Almost 50,000 people in the North East have been diagnosed with one of the 15
most common neurological conditions (NEPHO, June 2009)
-  Nationally, one million people are disabled by their condition, 350,000 of whom
require help for most daily activities
-  Approximately one-third of disabled people living in residential homes have a
neurological condition.

Where can I find out more about a particular neurological condition?

The Alliances are part of a partnership with the NENN to jointly manage the website www.na-na.org.uk. If you cannot find the answers you require on the website please contact us directly:

NNA contact details:enquiries@na-na.org.uk or telephone; 0191 478 5959 ext 205

TYDNY contact details:info@na-na.org.uk or telephone; 01642 641825

If the A-Z of conditions doesn't have have the details you require then visit the NINDS website here http://www.ninds.nih.gov/index.htm

I have a neurological condition - how can I get involved in work to improve services?

The NNA welcomes feedback from service users and their carers.  We would like to learn about your experience.  You may simply like to write to us, or you may like to join our network Northern Neurological Voices and provide us with your views over time.  Contact us by: enquiries@na-na.org.uk or telephone; 0191 478 5959 ext 205

TVDNY facilitate a bi-monthly reference group of service-users and carers who respond to the agenda and work plans of the Tees-wide Neuro Forum and the NENN.  The group also take part in research and contribute to evaluations and workshops.