Nervous system disorders

Tick-borne encephalitis: close-up of a tick sitting on a blade of grass.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection transmitted ticks.

A middle-aged woman sitting in a wheelchair takes care of her flowers using a hand gripper.

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most commonly occurring neurological disease in young adults. At present, there is no cure for MS. However, various treatments help to slow its progression.

Migraine

During a migraine attack, severe headaches occur on one side of the head only. This pain may be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

A woman’s face is reflected the other way round in a vase.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia involves phases of an altered perception of reality. This can take the form of delusions, hearing voices or a feeling of being watched, for example.

A screen with images of a cranial and brain scan.

Stroke

During a stroke some of the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. This can be life threatening. To prevent serious consequences, rapid treatment is imperative.

Eine Frau sitzt mit geschlossenen Augen an einer U-Bahn-Haltestelle.

Generalized anxiety disorder

It is normal to experience fear at times. Fear puts us in a state of readiness so that we can react quickly. However, persistent worry could be an indication of generalized anxiety disorder.

Sleep disturbances: older woman lying in bed clutching her head and looking at the ceiling. There is an alarm clock next to her on the bedside table.

Sleep disorders (insomnia)

People with sleep disorders are often tired and exhausted because they have not had enough restful sleep. Up to one third of people experience problems falling asleep or getting a good night’s sleep.

A smart-looking older gentleman is holding his right cheek, looking concerned and grimacing in pain.

Trigeminal neuralgia

People with trigeminal neuralgia experience severe facial pain, especially in the cheeks and jaw. Read on to find out what causes this condition and what can be done about it.

Depression

People with depression have sad and negative thoughts for weeks, withdraw from family and friends. Depression determines the way they act and think. Daily life, work, and studying become difficult.

Concussion: older woman sitting on living room floor. She is holding herself off the floor with one arm and holding her head with the other. She looks drowsy and is looking at the floor.

Concussion in adults

A concussion often occurs as a result of an accident. It is the mildest form of traumatic brain injury. Read on to find out more about the symptoms and treatment options.

Ein nackter Frauenoberbauch mit dem Hautausschlag, der typisch ist für eine Gürtelrose.

Shingles

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful viral skin condition. The viruses attack nerves and cause an inflammation that spreads over the skin.

Alzheimer-Demenz: Ältere Frau mit Gehstock

Alzheimer’s disease

People with Alzheimer’s disease suffer a considerable loss of memory and cognitive functioning. The disease cannot be cured. However, treatment can have a positive effect on its progression.

Pregnant woman holding a black cat on her arm

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. A third of all people are carriers, but only around 5% of them show symptoms of the disease.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition where the brain or parts of it become overactive. Medication can prevent seizures and help patients sustain a good quality of life.

A child leans against a windowpane in which he and multiple lights are reflected, and gazes dreamily upward.

Autism

Autism spectrum disorders are developmental disorders with specific characteristics: people with autism have problems communicating with others and with social competence.

Older man sitting at a table looking puzzled.

Vascular dementia

With vascular dementia, circulatory disorders in the brain lead to a reduction in mental abilities. It is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.

Botulism

Botulism is a type of poisoning caused by botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

Tetanus

Tetanus is a dangerous infectious disease. Even a small wound can be the portal of entry for the pathogen. People can protect themselves from it with vaccination.

Positional vertigo: older woman sitting on a bed with her upper body leaning forward slightly, clutching her forehead with her left hand. The woman’s mouth is open slightly. She looks exhausted.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

When a person feels dizzy, it may be due to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The dizziness usually stops by itself.

Street scene in South America – people feeding stray dogs.

Rabies is a viral disease transmitted by the bite of an infected animal. Anyone visiting a high-risk area can be vaccinated prior to traveling. All suspected cases of rabies must be medically treated.

Brain tumors

There are different types of brain tumor. Learn more about the different types, their treatment options and risk factors known of to date.

Parkinson’s: a woman in a white coat, clearly a caregiver, taking an older woman by both hands.

Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease affects the nervous system and increasingly restricts mobility.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome refers to severe fatigue that does not improve despite rest. There is no specific cure, but various measures that can help.

A person with a walking aid, supported by a healthcare assistant.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

With ALS, nerve cells that control muscles deteriorate and die. This results in muscle loss, muscle stiffness and paralysis. Treatment seeks to relieve symptoms as effectively as possible.

A man sits on a bench with his head in his hands.

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches come in phases, or “clusters”. They involve severe pain, always on one side only and mostly around the temples or eyes.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder in which the brain’s ability to process pain is disrupted. The measures that help with fibromyalgia differ greatly from person to person.

An older woman holds a hand to her forehead.

Tension headaches

Nagging, pressing headaches that occur now and then are called tension headaches. They can be relieved with non-prescription painkillers.

A doctor examines a brain scan on a monitor.

Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)

Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain. It can have several causes, the most frequent being viruses.

A nurse sticks a plaster onto a child’s upper arm.

Meningitis

Meningitis is the inflammation of the meninges. This can have multiple causes. If triggered by bacteria, meningitis can quickly become life-threatening.

A doctor uses a needle to test pain sensations in the foot

Polyneuropathy

Conditions in which several nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord are damaged are referred to as polyneuropathy. There are many different causes and symptoms.

Cerebral aneurysm: cross-sectional scan of a human brain. The blood vessels and cerebral artery are clearly visible.

Brain aneurysm

A brain aneurysm is a bulge in an artery in the brain. This often goes unnoticed without causing symptoms. If the aneurysm ruptures, it may cause a life-threatening brain hemorrhage.

A woman grasps her apparently painful left hand to examine it.

Diabetic neuropathy

With diabetic neuropathy, nerve damage occurs due to permanently elevated blood glucose levels. Pain and numbness in the arms and legs are typical symptoms.

A table with a range of foods that are rich in vitamin B, such as pulses, cheese, eggs, mushrooms, milk, nuts and liver.

Vitamin B deficiency

Vitamin B is a group of eight vitamins, the most important of which are B1, B6, B9 (folate) and B12. Eating a balanced diet prevents a deficiency in these vitamins.

A child is being vaccinated with an injection into the upper arm.

Polio (poliomyelitis)

Polio (poliomyelitis) can cause permanent paralysis. Polio viruses have been almost eradicated thanks to large-scale vaccination campaigns. Unvaccinated children and adults can contract polio.

An unclothed lower leg and foot on a bed

Restless Legs Syndrome

People with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) feel a great urge to move their legs. The unpleasant feeling in the legs only occurs during rest, particularly in the evening and at night.

Woman clutching her chin and looking into the camera with a serious expression. The right side of her face is drooping and her mouth is skewed.

Bell’s palsy (facial paralysis)

Bell’s palsy is a paralysis of the facial muscles usually on one side of the face due to nerve damage. Read on to find out more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Person sitting on the toilet with their trousers down and slippers at their feet.

Diabetes insipidus

Diabetes insipidus causes excessive urination and increased thirst. It is caused by a hormone that is missing or ineffective.

Parsonage-Turner Syndrome (PTS): person in doctor’s coat and stethoscope around their neck examining a patient’s arm by holding their shoulder and elbow and appearing to move them slightly.

Neuralgic amyotrophy

Neuralgic amyotrophy causes severe pain in the arm and shoulder. It is due to an inflammation of certain nerves.

Leprosy

Leprosy is a bacterial infectious disease that primarily occurs in South East Asia, South America, and Africa. Though leprosy is curable, there are still serious outcomes.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

A transient ischemic attack often precedes a stroke. A TIA happens when part of the brain no longer gets enough blood supply. The symptoms are paralysis, visual impairment and slurred speech.

Head and nervous system