Acoustic neuroma

A type of tumour that occurs in the brain and develops from the lining of the nerve that connects the ear to the brain (vestibulocochlear nerve.)


Acquired

If something is acquired it means that it developed sometime after birth.


Acquired brain injury (ABI)

See brain injury for more information.


Acute

A symptom or condition is acute when it has developed fairly rapidly or has not been present for a long time.


ADEM (Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis)

An inflammatory demyelinating condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It is an autoimmune condition that often follows on from a minor infection.


Adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN)

A genetic, degenerative condition that can affect the spinal cord and the brain and which damages the fatty tissue in the lining that surrounds and insulates the nerves.


Alzheimer’s Disease

A progressive, degenerative condition that can affect multiple functions of the brain, including memory, and is the most common form of dementia.


Aneurysm

A blood-filled swelling or bulge in a blood vessel. Aneurysms can develop in places where the walls of a blood vessel are typically weaker, such as where they branch, or they can develop as the result of damage or weakening of the walls of a blood vessel following injury or disease.


Angiogram

An investigation that uses X-rays to examine blood vessels and the flow of blood though them. Blood vessels do not usually show up on an X-ray and so a special dye is injected in to the blood in order to make the blood vessels visible.


Ankylosing spondylitis

A chronic, inflammatory condition that primarily affects the joints in the spine, but can affect other joints in the body, and which causes back pain, fatigue, and stiffness in the back.


Anosmia

Anosmia is the absence or loss of the sense of smell.


Anterior

This refers to the front of the body or one of its parts. It is the opposite of posterior.


Aphasia

Aphasia is an impairment of language that occurs due to injury or damage to the brain. A person with aphasia may have difficulty finding words, problems understanding what is said to them, or they may lose the ability to speak, read, or write altogether.


Arachnoid

A thin membrane that covers and surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It is the middle layer of the group of three layers that are referred to as the meninges. The other two layers are the pia mater and the dura mater.


Arachnoid Cyst

Arachnoid cysts are fluid filled sacs that can form between the brain or spinal cord and the arachnoid layer which covers them, or within the arachnoid layer itself.


Arachnoid web

Arachnoid webs are abnormal ‘bands’ of the arachnoid membrane that can cause symptoms by affecting the flow of fluid around the spinal cord, and by distorting the normal anatomy of the spinal cord.


Arachnoiditis

A condition that involves inflammation of the arachnoid membrane that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The cause of inflammation can be an infection, a consequence of surgery or trauma, or due to some other source of irritation to the arachnoid membrane. Scarring and adhesions can develop due to the inflammation and these can cause longer term symptoms and problems.


Arnold-Chiari malformation

Arnold-Chiari malformation is a an older term that was generally used to refer to what is now called a type 2 Chiari malformation.


Artery

A blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart and to the body.


Astrocytic glioma

A type of tumour that occurs in the brain and spinal cord, and develops from a particular kind of supporting cell in the central nervous system known as astrocytes.


Ataxia

Ataxia is the loss of the ability to coordinate muscles during voluntary movement, and is also an umbrella term for a group of disorders that can affect balance, coordination and speech.


Autonomic nervous system

The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and digestion.


AVM (Arteriovenous malformation)

An arteriovenous malformation is a tangle of abnormal and poorly formed blood vessels that form a connection between an artery and a vein. This connection can interfere with normal blood circulation and if a bleed develops from this malformation, it can cause severe problems depending on where it is located.


Back pain


Bell's palsy

Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes paralysis of the muscles on one side of a person’s face and is the result of damage to the facial nerve on the same side as the symptoms.


Bereavement


BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo)

An inner ear disorder that causes episodes of dizziness and vertigo. BPPV is generally thought to be due to the displacement of small ‘stones’ that are part of the way that the body senses what position it is in, i.e. whether you are upright, upside down, lying flat etc…


Brain and spine scans


Brain haemorrhage

See subarachnoid haemorrhage for more information.


Brain injury

Brain injury can occur when a sudden trauma or a condition causes damage to the brain. Depending on what part of the brain is affected, brain injuries can cause a wide range of signs and symptoms.

An acquired brain injury (ABI) is brain damage that has been caused by an event that has occurred after birth. Acquired brain injuries can be further classed as either traumatic brain injuries (TBI), such as those resulting from a fall or road accident, or non-traumatic brain injuries, which includes damage caused by conditions such as stroke and meningitis.


Brain surgery

A craniotomy is an operation to open the head in order to expose the brain. The word craniotomy means making a hole (-otomy) in the skull (cranium). The operation is carried out by a neurosurgeon who specialises in surgery of the brain and spine.


Brain tumour

A brain tumour is an abnormal growth of cells in the brain.


Brainstem

The brainstem is the part of the brain that connects with the spinal cord. It relays information between the brain and the body, and is also involved in vital functions such as breathing.


Brown-Sequard syndrome

Brown-Sequard syndrome is a disorder caused by injury or damage to only one side of the spinal cord. Due to the fact only half of the spinal cord is affected, it causes a loss of sensation on the same side of the injury, but weakness on the other side of the body.


Capillary telangiectasia

Small areas, or clusters, of abnormally dilated capillaries (small blood vessels) that are seen within otherwise normal brain tissue.


Catheter

A flexible tube use in medical procedures.


Cauda equina syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome is a condition in which the bundle of nerves that sits below the spinal cord in the spinal column, often referred to as the cauda equina, is compressed. It can cause pain in the lower back or legs, numbness or weakness in the legs and groin, and can affect bowel or bladder control, as well as sexual function.


Causalgia

Causalgia is an older term for what is now more often described as type 2 complex regional pain syndrome.


Cavernoma

A cavernoma is a cluster of abnormal blood vessels, usually found in the brain and spine. Unlike arteriovenous malformations, cavernomas do not have well defined arteries or veins connecting to them.


Cerebellar tonsils

The cerebellar tonsils are the lowest part of the cerebellum


Cerebellum

The cerebellum is the lowermost part of the brain, and plays a role in controlling balance and co-ordinating movement.


Cerebral palsy

A group of neurological conditions that affect muscle control, movement and co-ordination. These conditions are often caused by damage to the brain that occurs before, during or soon after birth.


Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

A clear, colourless fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Its main functions are to protect the brain and to carry nutrients to the brain and remove waste.


Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak

A cerebrospinal fluid leak occurs when there is a tear or hole in the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, and the fluid that surrounds these structures escapes. As a result of this leak, the overall pressure within the skull can drop (which is referred to as intracranial hypotension) and this can cause headaches as well as other neurological symptoms.


Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

A group of inherited conditions that affect the nerves that lie outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves) and can cause problems with muscle control and sensation.


Chiari malformation

A medical term describing when the cerebellum, and sometimes the brainstem, extends below the foramen magnum and into the spinal canal. This can put pressure on the brain stem and spinal cord, and also disrupt the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, which can cause a wide range of symptoms including headache, dizziness, and neck pain.


Chordoma

A type of tumour that can occurs in the bones in the spine and at the base of the skull.


Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)

A condition that can cause a wide range of symptoms, of which the most common is extreme tiredness or fatigue. It is not known what causes CFS/ME, but it is thought that in some cases it occurs following an infection or illness such as glandular fever or pneumonia.


Clinical Nurse Specialist

A Clinical Nurse Specialist is a registered nurse who is an expert within a specialty area.


Clipping

A way of treating aneurysms by putting a small clamp around their base. This kind of procedure requires a craniotomy or open surgery.


Cluster headache

A recurrent type of headache that typically occurs in a cyclical pattern or in clusters, and that causes a severe pain in or around one eye on one side of the head. Other symptoms that occur with a cluster headache can include a red and watery eye, drooping and swelling of one eyelid, or a blocked or runny nostril.


Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

A form of talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.


Coiling

A way of treating aneurysms without the need for a craniotomy or open surgery, that is performed by going through the blood vessels and inserting a coil of metal in to the aneurysm.

 


Colloid cyst

A type of tumour/fluid filled sac that is found in the brain, but that is often found incidentally as they can be asymptomatic.


Complementary therapies

Non-mainstream types of medicine and treatment that are used alongside conventional medical treatments.


Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

Complex regional pain syndrome is a condition in which someone experiences severe ongoing pain in a limb or specific part of the body, which most often occurs following an injury.


Concussion

A temporary injury to the brain that can be a consequence of a minor head injury. A concussion can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, and can also cause someone to be confused or have memory problems for a short period of time.


Congenital

This term refers to something, such as a condition, that has been present since birth. However, it may not become apparent until later in life and may be found incidentally.


Continence

As a medical term, continence generally refers to the ability of a person to control, or ‘hold back,’ functions of the bladder and the bowels.


Counsellor

A person trained to give guidance on personal or psychological problems.


Craniotomy

An operation in which an opening is made in the skull.


Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)

A degenerative brain disease that is most commonly caused by an infectious protein called a prion.


CT scan

A CT scan is a Computerised Tomography scan. It is a special type of X-ray that uses a scanner and computer equipment to take cross-sectional pictures of the brain or spine.


CTA scan

A CTA scan is a Computerised Tomography Angiography (CTA) scan. It is a special type of X-ray that involves injecting a special dye in to the bloodstream, and uses a scanner and computer equipment to take cross-sectional pictures of specific blood vessels


Decompression surgery

A type of surgery that is directed at reducing or relieving pressure, often achieved by removing a piece of bone. It is sometimes used to treat Chiari malformations by removing a small section of bone at the base of the skull. Decompression surgery is also used to treat nerves that are compressed in and around the spine, and this involves removing a segment of bone from a vertebra.


Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot, also known as a thrombosis, which develops within a deep vein in the body. This blood clot can travel from where it formed and sometimes block smaller blood vessels, for instance in the brain (causing a stroke) or lungs (causing a pulmonary embolism).


Delayed cerebral ischaemia

Delayed cerebral ischaemia occurs when there is a dangerously low supply of blood to the brain, causing brain damage. It can be due to spasm of the blood vessels (vasospasm) in the head, and can follow a few days after a subarachnoid haermorrhage.


Dementia

An umbrella term for a range of progressive neurological disorders that affect the brain and can cause problems with brain functions such as memory, language, and problem-solving.


Devic's disease

A rare condition where the immune system damages the spinal cord and the nerves of the eyes (optic nerves).


Diplopia

A medical term for double vision, which is when you look at one object but see two images of it.


Dizziness and balance problems


Dura

A thin covering that surrounds your brain and spine. The dura mater is one of three layers known together as the meninges. It is tough compared to the other two layers, the pia mater and the arachnoid mater, and is the outermost layer, lying closest to the skull.


Dyskinesia

Dyskinesia is an abnormal, uncontrolled movement that a person does not intend to perform. These movements can be repetitive motions or more like spasms.


Dysphagia

A medical term for problems with swallowing.


Dystonia

A medical term for a range of movement disorders that cause uncontrollable muscle spasms and contractions. These contractions can result in slow, repetitive movements or unusual postures that can be painful.


Ehlers-Danlos syndromes

Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of connective tissue disorders that can cause a wide range of symptoms and health problems such as fragile skin, eye problems, and very mobile joints.


Embolisation

A way of blocking blood vessels, that involves injecting a liquid glue, or sometimes inserting small metal coils, to create an artificial blood clot that blocks the flow of blood.


Encephalitis

Inflammation of the brain that is usually caused by an infection or an auto-immune response, in which the body’s own immune system attacks the brain.


Ependymomas

A type of tumour that occurs in the brain and spinal cord and develops from the cells of a lining called the ependyma, which lines the inside of fluid-filled spaces within the brain and spine.


Epilepsy

A condition or a group of conditions, which affect the brain and can cause frequent seizures and sometimes a loss of consciousness.


Fatigue

An overwhelming sense of tiredness or complete exhaustion that does not go away with sleep or rest.


Fibromyalgia

A condition that causes widespread pain all over the body, and can also cause fatigue, headaches, muscle stiffness, and difficulties with sleeping and concentrating.


Foramen magnum

The opening at the base of the skull.


Functional neurological disorder (FND)

A condition in which people experience neurological symptoms but upon examination and investigation there is no clear physical explanation for them, i.e. damage to the brain or a nerve.

 


Gamma knife

A type of radiosurgery that uses focussed beams of gamma radiation to treat lesions, such as tumours, within the brain.


Glioma

A group of tumours that occur in the brain and spinal cord, and develop from supporting cells in the central nervous system known as glial cells. Types of glioma include astrocytmoa, ependymoma, and oligodendroglioma.


Glossopharyngeal neuralgia

A chronic pain disorder that affects one of the nerves in the head and neck known as the glossopharyngeal nerve, and causes episodes of sudden, severe pain in the back of the throat, tongue and ear.


Guillain-Barre syndrome

An auto-immune condition that affects nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord and can cause problems with sensation and muscle weakness in the legs and arms. It is often triggered by an infection.


Haemangioma

A type of tumour that can affect the head and neck and develops from the cells that line blood vessels.


Haematoma

A collection of clotted blood that has formed outside of a blood vessel and which can put pressure on nearby structures. Haematomas can cause a wide range of symptoms depending on where they are located in the body.


Haemorrhage

A large flow of blood that has escaped from a damaged blood vessel.


Hemiplegia

A term that describes when a condition causes weakness or paralysis on only one side of the body.


Hereditary spastic paraplegia

A group of inherited disorders that all primarily cause worsening weakness and stiffness in the leg muscles.


Herniated disc

The term herniated disc, also sometimes referred to as a slipped disc, describes when one of the discs of cartilage which sit between the vertebrae in the spine, is bulging or damaged and is causing pain or putting pressure on nearby nerves or the  spinal cord.


Huntington's disease

A progressive, inherited condition that causes damage to nerve cells in the brain and can affect a person’s movement, cognition and behaviour.


Hydrocephalus

A build-up of fluid in the brain. The excess fluid leads to increased pressure on the brain which can cause damage to the brain tissue.

See our Hydrocephalus factsheet


Idiopathic

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a condition in which the pressure of the fluid within the skull is increased but there isn’t a known or detectable cause. The increased pressure can lead to headaches, vision problems, and other symptoms.


Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH)

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a condition in which the pressure of the fluid within the skull is increased but there isn’t a known or detectable cause. The increased pressure can lead to headaches, vision problems, and other symptoms.


Interventional neuroradiologist

A medical specialist that uses imaging techniques, such as MRI or CT scans, to precisely target a therapy. An interventional radiologist may perform procedures like coiling brain aneurysms or treating aneurysms via the blood vessels.


Intracranial hypotension

Intracranial hypotension is a condition in which the pressure of the fluid within the skull is lower than normal. This can lead to symptoms including headaches (that are often worse when standing), nausea, vomiting, and neck pain.


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Kyphosis

A curvature of the spine that causes the upper back to appear more rounded than normal.


Labyrinthitis

An infection of the inner ear that causes a delicate structure known as the labyrinth to become inflamed, and which affects your hearing and balance.


Lhermitte-Duclos disease

A type of tumour that can affect the brain and that develops from cells in the part of the brain known as the cerebellum.


Lumbar puncture

A procedure performed to extract cerebrospinal fluid – either to reduce pressure around the spinal cord and brain, or to take a sample of the fluid for analysis – and that involves inserting a hollow needle into the subarachnoid space in the region of the lower back.


Lupus

An inflammatory condition that affects the connective tissue in joints, skin, the nervous system, and other organs.


Lyme disease

A bacterial infection that is spread to humans by infected ticks, that can cause fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans.


Lymphoma

A type of tumour that can occur in the brain and spine and develops from cells of the lymphatic system (a part of the immune system.)


Medulla

The medulla, also called the medulla oblongata, forms the lower part of the brainstem and is involved in regulating involuntary functions within the body, such as heart rate and blood pressure.


Meniere's disease

An inner ear disorder that typically causes episodes of vertigo, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), hearing loss, and a sense of ‘fullness’ in the ear.


Meninges

A layered group of three thin membranes, called the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater, that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. The meninges keep the cerebrospinal fluid contained around the brain and spine and this helps to offer further protection.


Meningioma

A type of tumour that occurs in the brain and spinal cord, and develops from the layers of tissue which surround and protect the brain and spinal cord (known as the meninges.)


Meningitis

Inflammation of the protective membrane layers, called the meninges, which surround the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection, but sometimes can occur after surgery due to irritation of the membrane layers (this is known as chemical meningitis).


Meralgia paraesthetica

A condition in which a nerve on the outside of the hip is compressed and causes tingling, numbness, and sometimes a burning pain in the upper leg on the same side.


Mesial temporal sclerosis

A medical term for scarring and a loss of nerve cells in a region of the brain called the temporal lobe. It has been associated with some types of epilepsy.


Migraine

A recurrent type of headache that tends to cause moderate to severe throbbing pain at the front or on one side of the head. Some people experience ‘warning signs,’ including symptoms such as visual disturbances, dizziness, or weakness, before the migraine attack and these early symptoms are called an ‘aura.’


Mindfulness

A way of paying attention to the present moment, and to your own thoughts, feelings, and the world around you, often using techniques such as meditation, breathing, and yoga.


Motor neurone disease

A group of conditions that affect the nerves within the brain and spine that transmit signals sent from the brain, to the muscles of the body. Muscles can eventually weaken, stiffen and waste if they do not receive the signals sent by the brain, leading to weakness and paralysis.


Moyamoya disease

A progressive cerebrovascular disorder caused by blocked arteries at the base of the brain in an area called the basal ganglia, and that results in networks of small blood vessels developing to bypass these blockages.


MRA scan

An MRA scan is a Magnetic Resonance Angiography scan. It uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to give a view of specific blood vessels (arteries and veins). MRA may be included with an MRI scan.


MRI scan

An MRI scan is a Magnetic Resonance Imaging scan. It uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to take detailed pictures of the brain or spine.


Multifocal motor neuropathy

A progressive disorder that causes muscle weakness and muscle wasting, most often in the hands and forearms.


Multiple sclerosis (MS)

A demyelinating condition that affects the lining of cells in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, and can cause problems with muscle control, vision, balance, sensation, and also cause pain and fatigue.

See our Multiple sclerosis factsheet


Muscular dystrophy

A group of progressive inherited genetic conditions that cause muscle weakness and muscle wasting.


Myasthenia gravis

An autoimmune condition that affects the transmission of signals from nerves to muscles. It typically causes painless weakness of specific muscles, including those in the eyes, face, and the muscles used for swallowing.


Myeloma

A type of cancer that affects blood cells found inside the bone marrow. It can damage the bones it is present in, and affect the production of healthy blood cells in the body.


Narcolepsy

A condition that affects the brain’s ability to regulate the normal sleep-wake cycle. Symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep paralysis, cataplexy, hallucinations and disturbed sleep patterns.


Neck pain


Neurofibroma

A type of tumour that affects nerves and develops from the lining that surrounds them.


Neurofibromatosis

A group of genetic conditions that cause tumours, called neurofibromas, to develop on the nerves in the body.


Neurogenic shock

A form of shock that can follow and injury or trauma to the spinal cord and that can cause low blood pressure and a slowed heart rate.


Neurologist

A medical doctor who does not perform operations but specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of people with neurological conditions.


Neuromyelitis optica (NMO)

An inflammatory, demyelinating condition that affects the nerves of the eyes (optic nerves) and the spinal cord, and can cause a wide range of symptoms including blindness, weakness, nerve pain and muscle spasms.

See our Transverse myelitis booklet


Neuropathic pain

A type of pain that is caused by disease or damage affecting a nerve, and that doesn’t respond to common forms of pain relief.


Neuropathy

Neuropathy is the result of damage or disease affecting the nerves outside of the brain or spine. Symptoms can include weakness, numbness and pain in the areas that the nerves carry signals to and from.


Neurophysiotherapist

A chartered physiotherapist that specialises in treating people with neurological conditions. A neurophysiotherapist will asses, plan and treat people with physical problems.


Neuropsychologist

A psychologist specialising in the functions of the brain, particularly memory, concentration and problem solving.


Neurosarcoidosis

Neurosarcoidosis is a form of sarcoidosis that is affecting the nervous system, and causes inflammation in the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Symptoms will depend on where in the body is being affected, and can include weakness or paralysis of muscles, and changes in sensation.


Neurosurgeon

A medical doctor who has further training specifically in the area of the brain and spine, and performs operations.


Nystagmus

Involuntary movements of the eyes that are most often side to side, but may also be up and down or circular in motion.


Occipital neuralgia

A condition in which the nerves, called the occipital nerves, which provide sensation to the scalp and some of the face, and carry signals to some of muscles in the face, are inflamed or injured, causing pain to be felt in the back of the head and neck, and sometimes around or behind the eye.


Occupational therapist

A specialist health professional who offers practical support and advice on everyday skills and activities, for example, using equipment at home.


Optic neuritis

Inflammation of the nerves that connect to the eyes from the brain. Optic neuritis can occur as a result of infections or autoimmune conditions, and is associated with multiple sclerosis.


Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects the joints in the body, causing them to become painful and stiff, and it is the most common form of arthritis.


Osteoma

An osteoma is a type of growth that is made of bone. It is sometimes referred to as a form of tumour.


Osteoporosis

A condition that causes the structure of bones to become weaker and more susceptible to fractures.


Paraesthesia

An abnormal sensation often caused by pressure or damage to a nerve, and includes feelings of tingling, pricking, burning or numbness.


Paralysis

A loss of muscle function in part of your body.


Parkinson's disease

A progressive, degenerative condition that affects the brain and can cause problems with movement, rigidity, tremors, and speech.


Perineural cyst

A fluid filled sac that affects nerve roots, often those at the level of the sacrum. These cysts don’t usually cause symptoms, but if they are compressing the nerve root they may cause low back pain, sciatica, incontinence, and other neurological symptoms.

 


Persistent vegetative state (PVS)

A disorder of consciousness in which someone appears to be unaware of their environment and are largely unresponsive but experiences a ‘sleep-wake cycle’ and has their eyes open at times, referred to as wakefulness.


Physiotherapy

A physical form of therapy that aims to help restore movement, mobility and normal body function.


Pineal cyst

A pineal cyst is a cyst found on the pineal gland in the brain. They are often asymptomatic but in some cases can cause headaches and other symptoms.


Piriformis syndrome

A condition in which the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated by the piriformis muscle, which is located in the buttocks. It can cause pain, numbness or tingling along the back of the leg and down in to the foot, and can be very similar in presentation to sciatica.


Pituitary adenoma

A type of tumour that occurs in the brain, and develops from the pituitary gland.


Pituitary disorders


Poliomyelitis

An infectious disease caused by the polio virus. Most people may not experience any symptoms, but in some cases it can cause problems such as muscle weakness, paralysis, and meningitis.


Post-herpetic neuralgia

A complication of shingles (a condition caused by the chickenpox virus) that affects nerve fibres in the skin and causes a burning pain that continues in an area previously affected by shingles.


Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

An anxiety disorder that is caused by very stressful or distressing events. Someone with PTSD can experience nightmares or flashbacks to the event, and may also have emotional difficulties, problems sleeping, and other symptoms such as panic attacks.


Posterior fossa

The space in the back of the skull where the cerebellum usually sits.


Postural hypotension

A form of low blood pressure that occurs when you change position from sitting or lying down, to standing up, and can cause symptoms including light-headedness, dizziness, and headache.


Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)

A disorder that is characterised by an abnormal increase in heart rate that occurs after sitting up or standing, and that can cause symptoms including dizziness, light-headedness, headaches, and fainting.


Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)

A disorder that is characterised by an abnormal increase in heart rate that occurs after sitting up or standing, and that can cause symptoms including dizziness, light-headedness, headaches, and fainting.


Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)

A progressive condition that affects the brain and can cause problems with balance, movement, vision, speech, and swallowing.


Pseudomeningocele

An abnormal collection of cerebrospinal fluid, sometimes found around the surgery site after decompression surgery.


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Radiologist

A medical professional that performs, reads and writes reports on scans such as angiograms, CT scans, MRI scans, and X-rays.


Radiosurgery

A form of radiotherapy that uses focussed beams of radiation to damage the cells in targeted areas, in order to stop them from growing or to cause cell death.


Raynaud's syndrome

A condition in which the small blood vessels in the fingers, and sometimes the toes, nose, ears or lips, constrict when exposed to cold temperatures or emotional stress. This causes the skin to become very pale in these areas and it is often painful although sometimes it can also cause numbness.


Reye's syndrome

A condition that causes damage to the brain and liver and occurs a few days after a viral infection.


Sacrum

A large triangular bone found at the bottom of the spine.


Sarcoma

A term that can be used to described a type of tumour that develops from bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other types of connective or supportive tissue.


Schwannoma

A type of tumour that affects nerves and develops from the lining that surrounds them.


Scoliosis

An abnormal ‘sideways’ curve in the spine.


Seizures

A burst of electrical activity in the brain that temporarily affects how it works. They can cause a wide range of symptoms including changes in behaviour and sudden, uncontrolled body movements.


Sexual dysfunction

Difficulty experienced by an individual or couple during sexual activity, including problems with physical pleasure, desire, preference, arousal or orgasm.


Shunt

A device that is used to move a body fluid, such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), from one place to another.


Speech and language therapist

A specialist health professional that assesses, plans and treats people with communication and swallowing problems.


Spina bifida

Spina bifida is a congenital condition where the spinal column and the spinal canal don’t completely close up before birth.


Spinal canal

The space formed by the unique shape of the bones of the spine, the vertebrae, that runs down through the spinal column and through which the spinal cord passes.


Spinal cord

The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that extends from the brain to the lumbar section of the spine, and is situated in the spinal canal.


Spinal muscular atrophy

A progressive genetic condition that affects the nerves in the body and causes muscle wasting.


Spinal strokes

A spinal stroke is a disruption to the blood supply to the spinal cord, which can cause damage to tissues and can lock messages travelling along the spinal cord.


Spondylolisthesis

A spondylolisthesis is when a vertebra in the spine is out of place in relation to the one above or below. This can result from injury to the spine or a degenerative condition, but in rare cases it is present from birth.


Spondylolysis

A type of fracture that can occur in the spine.


Spondylosis

Spondylosis is a medical term that describes degenerative changes that occur in the vertebrae of the spine. These changes may be due to advancing age and are sometimes described as ‘wear and tear’of the bones in the spine, or they may be the result of previous injuries or other existing conditions that affect the spine.


Stroke

A stroke is a disruption to the blood supply to a part of the brain, which causes damage to brain cells by starving them of oxygen. A lack of blood flow can be caused by a blockage in a blood vessel, or can be due to a bleed occurring. The symptoms will depend on what area of the brain has been affected by the lack of blood flow.

See our Stroke factsheet


Subarachnoid haemorrhage

A type of stroke that is caused by bleeding on the surface of the brain. The bleed leaks in to a space called the subarachnoid space, which is a space between two of the three protective layers (the meninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord.


Superficial siderosis

Superficial siderosis is a rare brain and spinal cord condition where iron builds up on their surface due to slow bleeding. This can damage nerves and cause issues like hearing loss and balance problems.


Syringobulbia

A fluid filled cavity within the brainstem.


Syringomyelia

A fluid filled cavity within the spinal cord.


Syrinx

A fluid-filled cavity found within the spinal cord or brainstem.


Tarlov cyst

A fluid filled sac that affects nerve roots, often those at the level of the sacrum. These cysts don’t usually cause symptoms, but if they are compressing the nerve root they may cause low back pain, sciatica, incontinence, and other neurological symptoms.


Temperomandibular disorder (TMD)

A condition that affects the movement of the jaw, and which can cause symptoms such as pain around the jaw, headaches, clicking or popping noises when moving the jaw, and restricted jaw movement.


Temporal arteritis

An inflammatory condition that affects the arteries, particularly those at the side of the head, and which can cause headaches, pain and tenderness around the jaw and temples, and visual problems.


Tension-type headache

The most common type of headache that typically feels like a dull ache with constant pressure around the front, top and sides of the head.


Thrombosis

A blood clot that has formed in a blood vessel and is obstructing the flow of blood. The clot itself is termed a thrombus.


Thunderclap headache

A severe headache that reaches its peak within 60 seconds of onset.


Tinnitus

A persistent sound in the ears, sometimes described as ringing. The sounds in tinnitus can occur despite there being no external sound or source.


Tolosa-Hunt syndrome

A condition that causes severe headaches, decreased and painful eye movements, and other neurological symptoms.


Tonsillar ectopia

This is a medical way of saying that the cerebellar tonsils are not in the usual position, and are extending down into the spinal canal.


Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

A temporary disruption of the blood flow to an area of the brain, which can affect the functioning of the brain and produce symptoms similar to that of a stroke. A TIA is sometimes described as a ‘mini-stroke.


Transverse myelitis

An inflammatory disorder that affects the spinal cord and can cause weakness and changes to sensation in the lower body, as well as problems with bowel and bladder control.


Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

See ‘Brain Injury’ under ‘B’ in the A-Z for more information.


Trigeminal autonomic cephalgia

A group of disorders that cause headaches or face pain and which also cause other symptoms such as eye-watering, redness of the eyes, a runny or blocked nose, and drooping of the eyelid.


Trigeminal neuralgia

A chronic pain disorder that affects one of the nerves in the head and neck known as the trigeminal nerve, and causes episodes of sudden, severe face pain.


Undiagnosed

If you are undiagnosed and are looking for reassurance or support, call our free, national Helpline on 0808 808 1000 to speak to a neuroscience-trained nurse.


Vascular malformations of the brain


Vein

A blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood from the body back towards the heart.


Ventricle

A ventricle is a fluid filled chamber. In the body there are ventricles within the brain and heart. In the brain, the ventricles are where cerebrospinal fluid is made.


Vertebra

The small, irregular shaped bones that make up the spine.


Vertigo

The sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving or spinning. It is sometimes described as dizziness or a feeling of unsteadiness, although these sensations can be distinct and different from vertigo.


Vestibular neuritis

An infection of the vestibular nerve in the inner ear, which can cause dizziness and balance problems.


Vestibular rehabilitation exercises