FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER (FND)
Functional Neurological Disorder is a condition in which patients experience neurological symptoms such as weakness, movement problems, sensory symptoms, cognitive problems, and convulsions. As a functional disorder, there is by definition, no known disease process affecting the body. Pathological conditions being an end-stage condition have a functional neurological component in the early stages, before becoming pathological. Most END STAGE pathological neurological conditions always present with some degree of a Functional Neurological (physiological) concomitant.
There are a great number of symptoms experienced with a functional neurological disorder. These symptoms are real and their origin is complex. It can be associated with physical, chemical, and psychological traumas to the brain or a combination of all the above. The core symptoms are those of motor or sensory dysfunction or episodes of altered awareness. The following are many (not all) of the symptoms you can find with a functional neurological disorder:
- Limb weakness or paresis/paralysis
- Non-epileptic seizures that look like fainting.
- Movement disorders including tremors, Dystonia (spasms), Myoclonus (jerky movements).
- Visual symptoms including loss of vision, blurred or double vision (diplopia).
- Speech symptoms including dysphonia, slurred or stuttering speech.
- Numbness or inability to sense touch.
- Dizziness and balance/gait problems.
- Chronic pain in various areas of the body.
- Extreme slowness (ataxia) and fatigue.
Causes are a combination of a chronic stressful life and physical trauma to the brain such as brain injuries or concussions. Chemical traumas to the brain such as being placed under general anesthesia multiple times, COVID-19 vaccinations, and being placed on long-term psychiatric medication (antidepressants, anti-anxiety medication, antibiotics, or proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s)) to mention a few. Psychological traumas can also cause a functional neurological disorder or contribute to the disorder.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis is made by a comprehensive history and functional neurological examination from a Board Certified Functional (Chiropractic) Neurologist. MRI’s, Cat scans, ENG’s, and other neurological tests show pathological problems. These tests are not for functional problems in the brain and nervous system.
Treatment will vary based on the areas of the brain affected. There is no “cookie cutter” treatment for functional neurological disorders. The treatment must be customized based on the patient’s history and comprehensive functional neurological examination findings. The medical approach, as usual, includes medication, physical therapy, and psychological counseling. These approaches are SYMPTOM-BASED AND NOT PROBLEM-BASED THERAPIES. ONLY A FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGIST HAS THE TRAINING TO REHABILITATE THE BRAIN AND OPTIMIZE ITS FUNCTION.
IF YOU HAVE READ THE ABOVE AND FEEL YOU HAVE A FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER, CALL DR. FURNISH TODAY TO SET UP YOUR FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGICAL EXAMINATION.