The brain is the most complex and least understood organ in the human body, declares the Medical Research Council, UK. Which is probably why there are so many misconceptions about its working. Neurologists tell us the myths they encounter on a daily basis.
Myth 1: Epilepsy is a stroke
Fact: “A stroke is a brain attack, much like what a heart attack is to the heart, where the blood flow to a region is cut off. Epilepsy is when the neurons fire inappropriately, causing a variety of reactions, depending on which part of the brain is affected,” says Dr U Meenakshisundaram, senior consultant neurologist, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai. This may result in seizures that are either convulsive or non-convulsive, or other manifestoes that can include laughing, crying, even running. Any kind of episodic awkward behaviour or sudden difficulty (in say, speaking or walking) must be checked out, say neurologists.
“Epilepsy is not a psychological or mental condition which will go away if we simply ignore it. Do avoid getting children married without telling their to-be spouses about the medical history,” says Dr Meenakshisundaram.
Myth 2: Vertigo is due to cervical spondylosis
Fact: Vertigo is a disorder of balance, hence the spinning sensation. Cervical spondylosis is age-related wear and tear on the spine in the neck region. It’s osteoarthritis in the area, resulting in pain, numbness, and tingling. “Only in the rarest of rare cases is vertigo caused by cervical spondylosis. The most common cause of vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, when you suddenly get up and feel off balance. This is because of a degeneration of the inner lining of the ear canal. Within the fluid of the canal, free-floating bodies (eroded from the canal) cause the imbalance. The other cause of this can be migraine, while the third most common reason is a viral infection of nerves in the ear,” says Dr Dwivedi, Chairman & Head of PSRI Institute of Neurosciences. In very rare cases, vertigo can be a warning for a stroke. “Call your doctor, even though 95% of the spinning sensation is not cause for alarm.”
Myth 3: Age-related memory loss is normal
Fact: It is not and may prove to be the onset of dementia, associated with loss of memory and other cognitive functions. Alzheimer’s disease, the commonest cause of dementia, is the result of brain plaque building up. Other causes are excessive intake of alcohol, a vitamin B12 deficiency and blockages in brain arteries,” says Dr Dwivedi. “Often, GPs will tell you this is normal, but if you don’t detect it early, the quality of life can be compromised. It cannot be cured, but it can be detected through a series of tests (blood, cognitive, brain scans), and its progression delayed or slowed through medication and other ways,” he says.
Myth 4: Only a frequently-occurring, severely painful headache is a migraine
Fact: “Practically all headaches are. A conservative figure would be 99.9%,” says Dr Rajashekar Reddi, Head of Unit and Principal Consultant – Neurology, Max Institute of Neurosciences, Delhi. Migraines can be triggered by anything from sleep deprivation and irregular meal patterns to hormonal changes. It is thought to be an interplay between environmental and and hereditary factors. The better-known causes are loud noises, strong smells, and sometimes, even certain foods such as chocolate and strong cheeses.
“Identify triggers and stay away from them,” says Dr Reddi.
