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EEG monitor showing an image of a cranial scan with neural pathways. A man is sitting on a doctor’s chair in the background. His head is leaning back gently on the backrest and he appears to have his eyes closed.

Conditions Head and nervous system

The human nervous system consists of countless nerve cells and performs many tasks such as control tasks within the body and communication tasks for contact with the outside world. Organic nervous system disorders fall within the field of neurology. These can also include types of headache such as migraines.

Head and nervous system

Depression: woman lying curled up in a large bed. Depression: woman lying curled up in a large bed.

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.

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 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.

Close-up of a tick, which can transmit the TBE pathogen Close-up of a tick, which can transmit the TBE pathogen

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection transmitted by ticks. Vaccination offers protection against TBE.

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

A woman presses both hands to her temples. A woman presses both hands to her temples.

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. 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. 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. 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.

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

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: 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. 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-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.

A doctor examines a brain scan on a monitor. 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.

Hand showing signs of leprosy resting on a person’s thigh. The fingers are deformed. Hand showing signs of leprosy resting on a person’s thigh. The fingers are deformed.

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.

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

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

Meningitis

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

Pregnant woman holding a black cat on her arm 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: male and female doctors assess a cranial and brain scan on a monitor. Epilepsy: male and female doctors assess a cranial and brain scan on a monitor.

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 gazes dreamily out of a window. A child gazes dreamily out of a window.

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. Older man sitting at a table looking puzzled.

Vascular dementia

Vascular dementia is caused by circulatory disorders. The brain receives too little oxygen and becomes damaged, resulting in a reduction in mental abilities.

Fresh vegetables in preserving jars. Fresh vegetables in preserving jars.

Botulism

Botulism is a rare type of poisoning caused by the bacterial botulinum toxin. Frequent sources of poisoning include canned and preserved foods. All suspected cases must be treated in hospital.

Book and test tubes labeled tetanus. Book and test tubes labeled tetanus.

Tetanus

Tetanus is triggered by certain bacteria. Even a small wound can be the portal of entry for the pathogen. Vaccination offers protection.

An older woman sitting on a bed, holding one hand to her forehead. An older woman sitting on a bed, holding one hand to her forehead.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

When a person feels dizzy, it may be due to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. This is caused by deposits in the balance organ in the ear. The dizziness usually stops after a few weeks.

Street scene in South America – people feeding stray dogs. Street scene in South America – people feeding stray dogs.

Rabies

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: monitor showing several MRI scans of a brain. A man lying in an MRI scanner in the background. Brain tumors: monitor showing several MRI scans of a brain. A man lying in an MRI scanner in the background.

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: 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.

A woman lies exhausted on the couch. A woman lies exhausted on the couch.

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. 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. 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.

A woman sits in bed clutching her back. A woman sits in bed clutching her back.

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. 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 uses a needle to test pain sensations in the foot 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. 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. 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. 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.

An unclothed lower leg and foot on a bed 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. 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. 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. 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.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA): woman sitting on a bench with one hand clutching her forehead and her head bent down slightly. A doctor’s receptionist is kneeling in front of the woman holding her by the left shoulder with her right hand. Transient ischemic attack (TIA): woman sitting on a bench with one hand clutching her forehead and her head bent down slightly. A doctor’s receptionist is kneeling in front of the woman holding her by the left shoulder with her right hand.

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.