Neurology can sometimes be overwhelming because the nervous system touches almost every part of the body. This means, from memory to speech, to sleep and every sensation, all of them are part of neurology. So, naturally, neurologists deal with a vast range of conditions, including carotid artery disease, seizure disorders, Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia, migraines and facial pain, Parkinson’s disease, muscle disorders, narcolepsy, and many others.

“If there’s a nerve somewhere, a neurologist could get involved,” says Dr. Andrew Dorsch, division chief for general neurology at Rush University System for Health and a specialist in neurologic rehabilitation, as reported by Times. “And there’s nerves everywhere in the body. There’s a lot that can go wrong, and figuring it out often takes real detective work.”

The problem is that many people ignore early neurological symptoms, because it looks like any other normal thing that could happen to anyone under immense stress. Here are 11 symptoms doctors say you should never ignore.

Double vision that comes on suddenly

One overlooked symptom is a specific type of double vision that happens when both eyes are open and improves when either eye is closed. This is known as neurological diplopia and is different from eye-related vision problems.

Dr. Luis Cruz-Saavedra, a neurologist with Memorial Hermann Health System, told Times, this type of double vision can be linked to serious conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, aneurysm, myasthenia gravis, brain tumors, or brain infections.

If double vision starts suddenly, it is an emergency. “Immediately,” he says. Doctors may check for stroke warning signs and order imaging such as a CT scan or MRI to identify the cause.

Weakness in one arm or leg

Subtle weakness is another symptom people tend to ignore. Dragging one foot, limping, dropping objects, or struggling to write with a dominant hand are all red flags.

“I see people come in months after symptoms begin,” Cruz-Saavedra says. Many assume it is a pinched nerve, but weakness can signal stroke, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, or brain inflammation. Neurologists usually test strength, reflexes, balance, and coordination to narrow down the cause.

Brief episodes of unresponsiveness

Some people suddenly stare blankly for a few seconds and then return to normal with no memory of the episode. These moments are often noticed by family members rather than the patient.

Cruz-Saavedra explains that this can be a sign of temporal lobe seizures, which affect areas of the brain involved in memory and emotion. People may describe it as losing a small chunk of time, which should always be medically evaluated.

Trouble speaking or understanding words

Speech problems are among the most common warning signs of stroke, yet many people delay seeking care.

Dr. Enrique Leira, director of the division of cerebrovascular diseases at the University of Iowa, toles Times, stroke symptoms often appear suddenly. Speech may become slurred, slow, or difficult to understand. Some people struggle to find words or comprehend language altogether. In these cases, urgent medical attention is critical.

Sudden, severe headache during exertion

Most headaches are harmless, but some require immediate attention. A headache that strikes suddenly, feels unusually intense, and occurs during physical effort can indicate something serious, including stroke.

Leira says headaches that do not gradually build up and instead arrive abruptly should always be checked right away.

Persistent numbness in feet or fingers

Dr. Dorsch says numbness commonly affects the feet or fingers and suggests that nerves are failing to send signals properly. This is different from tingling, which usually means nerve irritation.

Numbness may result from diabetes, autoimmune conditions, genetic disorders, or nerve damage. A full neurological workup helps determine which nerves are affected and why.

Frequent déjà vu

Occasional déjà vu is normal. Experiencing it repeatedly is not.

“If it’s happening regularly, that’s not typical,” Dorsch says. Frequent déjà vu episodes can be an early sign of temporal lobe seizures and should be evaluated.

Difficulty standing up from a chair

Struggling to rise from a chair on a regular basis is not just about aging or stiff joints. Dorsch says neurologists want to rule out problems involving muscles, nerves, or the spinal cord, including Parkinson’s disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Changes in voice

Neurologists pay close attention to voice changes. Dr. Alexandru Olaru of University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center notes that an unusually soft or breathy voice may indicate Parkinson’s disease. Slurred speech can point to stroke.

Another concerning sign is a wet or gurgly voice caused by saliva pooling in the throat. This can occur in conditions like Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and multiple sclerosis.

Muscle twitches that do not stop

Muscle twitches are common and often harmless. But when they occur repeatedly in the same location, they should be discussed with a doctor.

Olaru explains that these fasciculations may be benign or linked to conditions such as spinal stenosis, ALS, or autoimmune nerve disorders. Tests like electromyography can help identify the cause.

Sudden personality or behavior changes

Abrupt shifts in behavior, including paranoia, withdrawal, impulsivity, or inappropriate behavior, can signal neurological disease.

Cruz-Saavedra says conditions like autoimmune encephalitis or frontotemporal dementia may show up as personality changes long before memory problems appear. New obsessive behaviors or hoarding can also be warning signs.

Claire Danes recently revealed that she was shocked to learn that she was pregnant with her third child at 44. In an interview with Amy Poehler in an episode of Good Hang with Amy Poehler, the Beast In Me actress revealed that she burst into tears at her OB/GYN’s office, explaining that she didn’t know it was possible to be pregnant after 40.

Danes shared that she initially felt a strange sense of embarrassment about the pregnancy. Because she and her husband, Hugh Dancy, weren’t planning for a third, Danes felt like she had stepped outside of normal "parameters."

The debate surrounding pregnancies after 40 has always persisted. Many people like Claire believe that it is impossible to get pregnant after your biological clock runs out. However, in reality, things do not work like that. Dr Rohan Palshetkar, Consultant IVF specialist, at Bloom IVF explains a few factors one should know about.

Can You Get Pregnant After 40?

Yes, Dr Rohan explains that it is completely possible and safe with the current technological advancements. “Earlier we did have fetal medicine specialists, high resolution ultrasounds, better monitoring techniques and safter IVF options”

Screening tests are much more detailed, IVF options are more robust and egg freezing is also an empowering tool for women who wish to have pregnancies later in life, Dr Rohan explained.

However, he also pointed out that post 35 risks of having diabetes and hypertension increases, so consistent monitoring helps a lot.

What Are Some Risks Of Pregnancies After 40?

The chance of having a high-risk pregnancy increases for women above 40, according to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG). They explain that since women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, those eggs age right along with the body. As time goes on, the number of eggs decreases, and their quality can change.

While many women have healthy pregnancies in their 40s, here are some specific risks you should know about.

Chromosome Issues

Older eggs are more likely to have certain genetic changes. This means there is a higher chance for the baby to be born with a health condition like Down syndrome instead.

Miscarriage or Stillbirth

Women in their forties face a much higher statistical chance of losing a pregnancy. It is very important to stay in close contact with your doctor to monitor your baby's health.

Low Birth Weight

There is a greater risk that the baby will be born weighing less than what is considered healthy. Small babies often need extra medical care and stay in the hospital longer.

Blood Clots

Being pregnant naturally increases your risk of developing dangerous blood clots. However, this specific medical danger becomes even more likely for mothers who are over the age of thirty-five or forty.

Gestational Diabetes

This is a specific type of high blood sugar that some women develop only while they are pregnant. It requires careful diet management or medication to keep you and baby safe.

Preeclampsia

This is a very serious condition involving high blood pressure that can happen during pregnancy. It can be dangerous for the mother and the baby if it is not treated quickly.

Labor Challenges

Delivery can be more difficult for older mothers, often leading to longer labor times. Because of these complications, doctors are much more likely to recommend a surgical C-section birth instead.

How Doctors Support Pregnancies After 40

Being "high-risk" doesn’t mean something will go wrong; it just means your medical team will watch you more closely. Modern medicine has great tools to keep you and your baby safe, such as,

• Prenatal Screening
• Extra Ultrasounds
• Frequent Check-ups

Alcohol is often seen as harmful mainly for the liver or heart, but its impact goes much deeper—reaching down to our DNA. Even moderate drinking can silently cause changes at a cellular level, raising long-term health risks that may not be immediately visible. According to Dr. Amit Miglani, Director & HOD – Gastroenterology, Asian Hospital, the breakdown of alcohol in the body produces a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde, which can directly damage DNA inside our cells.

Alcohol Can Damage Your DNA, Not Just Your Liver And Heart

This damage disrupts the body’s natural repair mechanisms, allowing mutations to accumulate over time. Such mutations are linked to several cancers, including cancers of the mouth, throat, liver, breast, and colon. The insidious nature of this damage means that even when you feel healthy, harmful changes may be occurring beneath the surface.

How Alcohol Interferes With DNA Repair

DNA damage can be complex to understand, but its consequences are serious, explains Dr. Arun Kumar Giri, Director – Surgical Oncology, Aakash Healthcare. Normally, the body constantly repairs minor DNA errors. However, alcohol disrupts this repair process, leaving cells vulnerable to mutation and abnormal growth.

Dr. Giri adds that some people have genetic variations that make them break down alcohol more slowly. For these individuals, alcohol stays in the body longer, increasing the likelihood of DNA damage. Over years of repeated exposure, this can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and eventually cancer.

No Completely Safe Level of Alcohol For DNA Health

One of the most important points, Dr. Giri emphasizes, is that there is no entirely safe level of alcohol when it comes to DNA. The risk increases with both the frequency and quantity of drinking. Even occasional binge drinking can be harmful, meaning that how often you drink can be as important—or even more so—than how much you drink at one time.

This perspective shifts the discussion from asking “How much alcohol is too much?” to “How often am I exposing my cells to alcohol-induced damage?” Protecting DNA health requires regular monitoring and mindful drinking habits, even for those who feel healthy today.

Alcohol: Long-Term Health Implications

Alcohol-induced DNA damage is not just a short-term concern. Over time, the accumulation of mutations can significantly increase cancer risk and other serious diseases. Regular health check-ups, a balanced lifestyle, and moderation, or complete avoidance of alcohol are crucial steps for safeguarding your genetic health and overall well-being.

Dr. Amit Miglani highlights that “It’s not just about the organs you can feel being affected today; it’s about protecting your long-term health, especially your DNA, for the future.”

Dr. Arun Kumar Giri advises, “Understanding the cellular impact of alcohol helps people make informed choices about their drinking habits. Even small changes can significantly reduce the risk of long-term damage.”

New research suggests that menopause may be linked to a loss of grey matter in the brain, which could help explain why women face a higher risk of dementia compared to men. Scientists from the University of Cambridge analysed data from 124,780 women to explore how menopause affects the brain and whether hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might help protect against cognitive decline.

Menopause May Be Linked to Changes in Brain Structure

The researchers found that menopause was associated with reduced levels of grey matter, an essential part of the brain involved in thinking, memory, emotional processing and movement. The findings also noted that this stage of life is often accompanied by anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Previous research has already shown that menopause can affect cognitive abilities such as attention, language, learning and memory.

How Menopause And HRT Affect Thinking Speed

Published in the journal Psychological Medicine, the research divided participants into three groups: women who had not yet reached menopause, post-menopausal women who had never used HRT, and post-menopausal women who were taking HRT. Participants answered questions about sleep patterns, anxiety and depression, and some completed cognitive tests measuring memory and reaction time.

Around 11,000 women also underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, allowing scientists to closely examine brain structure. On average, menopause began at age 49 among the participants, and women who started HRT typically began treatment at around the same age.

Sleep, Fatigue and Mental Health Changes

The findings showed that post-menopausal women were more likely to struggle with insomnia, get less sleep overall and feel more fatigued. Interestingly, women using HRT reported the highest levels of tiredness across all three groups, even though they slept for a similar amount of time as those not taking HRT.

All post-menopausal women, regardless of whether they were using hormone therapy, reported greater fatigue compared to women who had not yet experienced menopause. Researchers also observed that this stage of life had an impact on cognitive function.

Dr Katharina Zuhlsdorff, from the psychology department at the University of Cambridge, explained: “As we age, our reaction times naturally slow down. This happens to both women and men and is part of normal ageing. You might still reach the right answer to a quiz question, but younger people tend to respond faster. Our findings suggest menopause speeds up this slowing process, while HRT seems to slow it down slightly.”

Brain Regions Linked to Memory and Emotion Affected

The study identified significant reductions in grey matter volume among post-menopausal women. These changes were seen in the hippocampus, which plays a key role in learning and memory, the entorhinal cortex, which supports memory formation and spatial awareness, and the anterior cingulate cortex, which helps regulate attention and emotions.

Menopause As A Period of Increased Vulnerability

Professor Barbara Sahakian, the senior author of the study from the department of psychiatry, said: “The brain areas where we observed these changes are the same regions commonly affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Menopause may make women more vulnerable later in life. While it does not explain everything, it could help clarify why dementia affects nearly twice as many women as men.”

Michelle Dyson, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society, noted that women account for roughly two-thirds of people living with Alzheimer’s disease in the UK. “Although we do not yet fully understand why women are more affected than men, hormones are thought to play a role,” she said.

“This large-scale study strengthens evidence that menopause has an impact on the brain, including physical changes such as reduced brain volume. However, without long-term follow-up to see whether participants later develop dementia, we cannot be certain that these menopause-related brain changes directly increase dementia risk.

“There are steps people can take today to lower their dementia risk, including regular exercise, avoiding smoking and cutting back on alcohol. Anyone concerned about themselves or a loved one can use the Alzheimer’s Society dementia symptoms checklist as a starting point before speaking to a GP.”

The research also found that women taking HRT were more likely to report mental health challenges. However, the analysis suggested these women already had poorer psychological wellbeing before starting hormone treatment.

Dr Christelle Langley, from the psychiatry department, said: “Menopause is something most women will experience, and it can be a major life change whether or not HRT is used. During this time, healthy habits such as staying active, exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet become especially important to help reduce some of its effects.”

Dr Louise Newson, a GP and women’s hormone specialist, added: “Many women notice changes in memory and concentration around menopause. This study suggests these symptoms may have a biological explanation rather than being brushed off as stress or ageing, highlighting menopause as a key window for protecting brain health and providing personalised care.”