What is Moment Disorder?
Movement disorders are a group of diseases affecting the ability to produce and control body movement. Lakhs of people in India lives with movement disorders, including Parkinson's disease. It is the second commonest neurological degenerative disease of the brain after Alzheimer’s disease. Estimates show that 1-2% of people over the age of 60 years develop this condition.
Which are the conditions treated by DBS?
DBS is a recommended treatment for Parkinson’s disease, Essential Tremor and Primary Generalized Dystonias. It has also shown success in some forms of secondary dystonias and Tourette syndrome. The most common condition for which DBS is used is Parkinson's disease (PD). DBS cannot cure any of these diseases but gives substantial relief from the abnormal movements and improves the quality of life of persons affected by these diseases.
What is the role of DBS in Parkinson's Disease?
Experiencing fluctuations in response to levodopa with or without dyskinesias
Tremor which is not relieved by levodopa
Who cannot tolerate high doses of drugs. Recent studies have shown that patients with mild to moderate fluctuations or dyskinesias with levodopa treatment benefit as much as those with more advanced disease. Therefore early referral is indicated before patients experience any disability due to these phenomena.
Long-term results of DBS have shown significant improvement in the motor symptoms of PD and the fluctuations in response to treatment. As patients require less medications after DBS, they also have much reduction in the dyskinesias. Majority of patients regain the the ability to perform activities of daily living independently and the quality of life of patients improves
How much time does it take to recover from brain surgery?
Recovery from brain surgery depends on the type of surgery one has undergone. It is usually recommended to stay for a week at the hospital after brain surgery. During this period, your doctor will observe how your body is reacting to the surgery and medications and will recommend physical, occupational and speech-language therapy sessions to help you regain your overall strength.
Are there any side-effects of brain surgery?
Side effects of brain-surgery include -
Difficulty in breathing
Issues with memory
Mood swings
Seizures
Painful or swollen calf
Weakness in arms and legs
Improper vision
Difficulty in hearing.
What is brain surgery?
Brain surgery is a type of surgical procedure that is performed to correct the abnormalities of the brain such as tumours and aneurysms.
How long does it take to recover from neurosurgery?
The recovery period usually depends on the type of surgery one has undergone. Many people feeld tired for several weeks after undergoing a neurosurgery and suffer from headaches, facing difficulty in concentration. It usually takes up to 4 to 8 weeks to recover from a surgery and your incisions may be sore for about 5 days after surgery.
What are the different types of surgeries performed by neurosurgeons?
Some of the procedures performed by neurosurgeons include -
Microvascular decompression
Peripheral nerve surgery
Brain tumour excision
Functional neurosurgery
Pituitary surgery
Cervical spine surgery.
What is neurosurgery?
Neurosurgery is a branch of medicine that deals with surgeries related to the nervous system. The doctors who specialize in this field are known as neurosurgeons. These specialist diagnose and surgically treat conditions of the brain and spine and also provide expertise in -
General neurosurgery
Brain tumour surgery
Complex spine disorders
Stereotactic radiosurgery
Vascular diseases.
When should you visit a neurologist and what happens during your first visit?
Your doctor may refer you to a neurologist if your symptoms are intense and require immediate care from a specialist. During your first visit, your neurologist will review your medical history and will perform a physical exam of your nerves and brain. Your doctor may also recommend you to undergo other tests to check your vision, smell odors, hearing, coordination, memory, strength, reflexes and cognitive abilities. Based on the analysis from these tests, your neurologist will manage your condition in the best way possible.

