Neurology

Neurological diseases is a general name given to the diseases that the science of neurology deals with. Neurological diseases are determined according to the diagnosis.

Symptoms of neurological diseases may differ with the diagnosis of the disease. Some neurological diseases may show similar symptoms, but when examined in detail by a specialist, the current disease is determined and diagnosed.

Each patient is unique, so even if it is the same disease, the disease may manifest itself with different symptoms. It is not possible for a person to make a self-diagnosis in neurological diseases, a neurologist can diagnose it.

In the treatment of neurological diseases, a plan is made according to the diagnosis. In the treatment plan, in addition to medication, additional treatments are applied to support the current situation and to provide improvement or delay deterioration.

In the treatment of neurological diseases, an individualized treatment plan must be determined and if the patient stops treatment, unfortunately, the current situation may change. This is why the relationship between the patient and the doctor is so important. In order for the treatment to proceed in a healthy way, the patient, the patient’s family and the doctor should maintain healthy communication.

Neurological diseases are within the scope of neurology

Diseases of Neurology ;

• Headaches (migraine and tension headaches, cluster headaches, chronic headaches)

• Epilepsy or epilepsy (small seizures or large seizures, epileptic seizures requiring surgery)

• Strokes, strokes or cerebrovascular diseases (caused by vascular blockages, hemorrhages, bubbles and vascular anomalies)

• Forgetfulness (Alzheimer's and other dementias, dementias due to vitamin and hormone deficiencies, dementias due to increased brain water pressure)

• Muscle diseases (myasthenia gravis, myopathies)

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other inflammatory diseases of the brain

• Brain infections (encephalitis)

• Dizziness (vertigo)

• Facial paralysis (facial paralysis)

• Spinal cord diseases

• Peripheral nerve involvement diseases (neuropathies, neuropathies caused by diabetes or other diseases)

• Nerve compression (carpal, tarsal, cubital and other nerve compression) and resulting numbness

• Sudden severe shooting pains (trigeminal and glossopharyngeal, occipital neuralgia)

• Movement disorders (Parkinson's, dystonia, tremors or tremors)

• Involuntary movements (twitching, cramps)

• Sleep-related disorders (jumping, walking, restless legs syndrome, sleep paralysis)

• Diseases of early degeneration of nerve cells (ALS, motor neuron diseases)

• Neck, back pain and herniated discs

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

What is Alzheimer's (Alzheimer's)? Symptoms and Treatment

Alzheimer’s disease is a common progressive neurological disorder that causes the destruction of brain cells. It causes a gradual decline in thinking, memory and behavioral functions and the symptoms gradually manifest themselves with age. In the initial stage, the disease manifests itself only with simple forgetfulness, but when it reaches advanced stages, it can leave the person in need of care. Not all forgetfulness is Alzheimer’s and there is no definitive treatment method.

What is Alzheimer’s?

Although Alzheimer’s disease may seem like an age-related and old age disease, it is actually a type of disease that can be seen in everyone. It is a brain disease that leads to the destruction of cognitive abilities. It is a process that starts with forgetting only minor situations at first and then progresses to not remembering larger situations. Every person may forget things from time to time, but this is temporary. In people with Alzheimer’s disease, this condition can be permanent. As the disease progresses, the person cannot continue their life on their own, but can continue with the help of a person.

In most people, Alzheimer’s symptoms progress slowly. Symptoms may not be noticeable at first. Sometimes only family members can look back and realize when the symptoms started. Early diagnosis is significantly treatable. Medication can be administered by a specialist for the treatment of the disease. This delays the progression of the disease and at the same time helps the brain to adapt and may slow down the likelihood of the patient becoming dependent on someone.

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s?

First of all, Alzheimer’s symptoms start with forgetting small things for a short period of time, then this progresses and continues with the forgetting of permanent information (names, addresses, special days). In the last stage, the person becomes unable to fulfill the requirements of daily life on their own and becomes dependent on another person, a helper. Some of the common symptoms of Alzheimer’s are as follows;

Impaired memory and thinking: The person has difficulty remembering and learning new things. In advanced stages of the disease, long-term memory loss occurs, meaning that the person cannot recall personal information such as place of birth, occupation or names of family members.

Loss of Sense of Direction and Confusion: People with Alzheimer’s may become lost when they go out on their own and may not remember where they are or how they got there. They may not recall places and events they used to know. They may not even remember familiar faces, what time of day it is or what year it is.

Losing things: They may forget where they put everyday items such as glasses, hearing aids or keys. They may also put things in strange places, such as putting their glasses in the refrigerator.

Abstract Thinking: These patients may find certain tasks, such as balancing a bank account, more difficult than before. For example, they may forget what numbers mean and what to do with them.

Difficulty with Routine Tasks: They start to have difficulty doing routine daily tasks such as eating, dressing and tidying up. They also cannot plan daily tasks.

Alzheimer’s symptoms may not be understood by the individual himself/herself. This situation should be recognized by the relatives of the individual. The requirements of this situation should be accepted and help should be sought under expert supervision. Also, in the early stages of the disease, the symptoms may be difficult to detect. The person experiences problems with memory, judgment and thinking, which makes it difficult to work and participate in daily life. The death of nerve cells occurs slowly over many years.

What are the types of Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s types are the types into which this disease is divided. These types consist of three parts: early, late and familial;

Early-onset Alzheimer’s: Early-onset Alzheimer’s is a rare form of this disease and starts before the age of 65. People with Down syndrome are at risk of early-onset Alzheimer’s because they age earlier. Usually, people with Down syndrome have the first symptoms in their late forties and early fifties. Younger people with Alzheimer’s disease show brain abnormalities.

Early-onset Alzheimer’s appears to be related to a genetic defect on chromosome 14, late-onset Alzheimer’s is not. Myoclonus, a twitching or spasm of a muscle or group of muscles, is more common in people with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

Late-onset Alzheimer’s: Occurs in up to 90% of people with Alzheimer’s, starting after the age of 65. It occurs in about half of people over 85, and may or may not be hereditary. Late-onset dementia is also called sporadic Alzheimer’s disease.

Familial Alzheimer’s Disease: A form of Alzheimer’s that is completely genetic. It is present in at least two generations of the family. This very rare form occurs in 1% of Alzheimer’s patients. It starts very early (in the forties) and is clearly genetic.

How is Alzheimer’s diagnosed?

Since it is generally seen as a condition related to forgetfulness and old age, individuals do not think of Alzheimer’s in the first place. Therefore, it is only possible to identify this disease in advanced stages. Forgetfulness progresses over time and at this stage, it is easier to detect this disease. For Alzheimer’s treatment, the patient needs to be observed for a long time and the disease needs to be diagnosed correctly. After diagnosis, the patient may be given medication to slow down the progression of the disease and eliminate some of its severe symptoms.

How is Alzheimer’s treated?

Alzheimer’s treatment uses different types of medicines to treat memory loss, behavioral changes, sleep problems and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s. These medicines do not stop the disease, but they can slow down the symptoms for several months or even years. All these medicines have side effects that are noticeable in older people. 4 medicines from 2 classes are specifically approved for the treatment of this disease. Cholinesterase inhibitors are used for cognitive symptoms. They prevent the breakdown of a chemical transmitter in the brain called acetylcholine, which is important for learning, memory and attention. It is difficult to say which medicine will work better for whom.

Alzheimer’s can be treated, even if it is detected late. In cases where it is detected early, treatment yields positive results, while in cases where it is diagnosed late, treatment can be successful. Alzheimer’s patients are recommended to use medication for treatment. However, it should be known that treatment may not result in complete recovery. Only the course of symptoms is slowed down. The patient is enabled to carry out daily activities gradually and independently.

Patients should choose what works best together with their doctor. There is very little Alzheimer’s therapy that includes treatment of behavioral and psychiatric symptoms associated with the disease, such as hallucinations, agitation and sleep problems. However, some medications can be given as an adjunct.

It is the treatment given to the patient to slow down and eliminate some of the symptoms of the disease. It is important to know that not all forgetfulness is Alzheimer’s and there is no definitive treatment.

How long does an Alzheimer’s patient live?

The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may vary in duration and speed and the person may get worse over time. On average, a person with Alzheimer’s disease survives four to eight years from diagnosis, but can live up to 20 years, depending on other factors.

How does Alzheimer’s disease start?

The most important and first symptom of the disease is forgetfulness. People with Alzheimer’s disease have difficulty remembering information, people and events from the recent past. As time passes, the person starts to forget more and more.

How does Alzheimer’s disease go away?

There is no clear cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, medication, symptomatic treatment and behavioral treatment methods help Alzheimer’s patients to reduce their daily needs such as dressing, eating, dental, bathing, hygiene and getting to know their relatives.

What happens in the last stage of Alzheimer’s?

In the last stage of Alzheimer’s disease, the person needs care. They lose interest in their surroundings. He or she has difficulty communicating and can no longer perform physical actions alone.

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

What is Good for Headache?

Headaches can sometimes be caused by stress, or severe headaches can bring a person’s daily life almost to a standstill. Headaches can be of psychological origin from time to time, as well as symptoms of neurological disorders. However, it should not be forgotten that this condition is characterized as a disease and is a disorder with its own varieties.

Headaches can be alleviated and relieved at home with natural and simple methods. However, if the pain becomes very severe, a specialist should be consulted. We can list the practical methods that are good for headache as follows;

Water consumption: Consumption of plenty of water helps to relieve and relieve pain. A dehydrated body can cause headache. Therefore, when pain is experienced, water should be consumed before painkillers. It should not be forgotten that an average of two liters of water to be drunk daily has a protective effect on body health. Taking a shower also relaxes the body and the shower has the ability to relieve and relieve headaches.
Cold compress It can be useful to apply a cold compress to relieve the pain. When a wet cloth or ice pack is placed on the head, the headache can go away.

Taking oxygen: Taking fresh air and ventilating the environment well is good for headache as it provides oxygen intake to the head. It will be very useful to go outdoors when you have a headache. If possible, walking can also be recommended.

Avoiding alcohol and smoking: Smoking can cause pain in the head, so not smoking will be good for headaches.

Alcohol causes a lot of headache, especially the next day. If alcohol is not taken, pain is not experienced. The myth that drinking alcohol when you have a headache relieves pain is also not true.

Caffeine consumption: A cup of Turkish coffee will relieve the pain. However, as with everything else, caffeine should not be overdone. Intense odors can trigger pain. It is recommended to avoid perfume products. Apart from that, the smell of mint and lemon relieves pain and opens the head. It can also be added to the water you drink.

Also; acupuncture is known to relieve pain. Pressure and massage on some special points on the body reduces the pain in the head. These points are between the two eyebrows and in the center of the two eyes. It may be possible to relieve and relieve mild or severe headaches by massaging the neck, temples and forehead. If the headache is of the migraine type, it is recommended to sleep in a dark and quiet room. Because during migraine, the individual becomes very sensitive and a dark, quiet environment has a migraine-relieving effect.

What are the Types of Headache?

If headaches are not caused by an underlying health problem and occur with a direct pain picture, this is called primary headache. Common types are migraine, tension-type and cluster headache.

There are many types of headache;

Tension-type headache: It is common in the afternoons and may initially respond to painkillers but may later become unresponsive. In patients who take painkillers for a long time, stomach and kidney diseases may occur due to painkillers. For this reason, it is recommended to treat this type of pain with specific treatment approaches rather than painkillers. These may include medication to reduce tension and anxiety, relaxation exercises and psychotherapy.

Cluster headache: It usually manifests itself as a severe pain behind the eyes. The pain usually comes in attacks lasting days, that is, it tends to cluster at certain times. It may be accompanied by redness and tearing in the eye.

Migraine: Migraine is also a very common disease in the society. It usually causes one-sided and throbbing pain. It may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Migraine pain can be very severe and can lead to serious decreases in school and work performance. Special painkillers called triptans can be used in the treatment of migraine. However, if the person has frequent attacks and these attacks cause problems in work, school and family life, special migraine medications can be used. These medications are blood pressure medications called beta-blockers and anti-epileptics called epilepsy medications.

Thunder Headache: It is a type of pain that occurs suddenly and is sudden and severe. It manifests itself insidiously without any warning signs and lasts for about 5 minutes. It is especially related to the blood vessels in the brain and occurs due to problems that need to be treated as soon as possible.
High blood pressure headache: This is severe pain associated with high blood pressure and must be kept under control. Headache due to high blood pressure is usually characterized by pain in the nape of the neck. It is associated with an increase in blood pressure.

What are the Causes of Headache?

The causes of pain vary according to its form. For example; in primary headaches, in genetically predisposed individuals, environmental factors create an activation in the brain. This activation causes dilation in the brain vessels and chemical substances are released. These stimulate the nerves and pain occurs.
Various causes can be seen under the secondary type of headache. For example; inflammation, wear and tear in blood vessels, tumors, high blood pressure are just a few of the causes. Therefore, it is very important to determine the cause of this type of pain. In addition, headaches can also be observed in women during menstruation. Apart from this, stress also has a significant effect.

Headache Treatment

It is a neurological problem and a treatment plan is made by a neurologist. Today, there are many drug treatments with proven efficacy in headache. In addition, recent studies have revealed that electrical stimulation of the head with direct current is an effective treatment for migraine. In the studies conducted, headache can be treated at a good rate by teaching the person methods of controlling his/her own body.
For this reason, new treatment methods that have been scientifically proven are used. In addition to classical treatments, the latest and up-to-date treatment methods such as brain stimulation and biofeedback are applied. Neurologists, psychiatrists and psychologists should work together in the treatment. A multidisciplinary treatment method should be applied to the patient. Because these pains and their types can be caused by many psychological disorders and stress, as well as mental problems can cause headaches and related headache types.

Regular exercise and regular nutrition are very important.

Regular exercise and regular nutrition are often recommended in the treatment of headache types. In order to get rid of headaches and related headache types, people need to organize their lives accordingly.
In the treatment, departments such as neurosurgery, dietitian and physiotherapy are consulted according to the type of your headache. For example, if your headache is due to a pinched nerve, the neurosurgery team can eliminate the pain with a simple intervention on this nerve. Some of our patients’ headaches may be caused by the foods they eat and drink. Especially the pain of migraine patients can be triggered by alcohol, chocolate, processed foods and cheese. Finding and eliminating these foods from the diet can lead to a significant reduction in pain. In addition, physical therapy can be applied especially in musculoskeletal pain, for example in headaches caused by “calcification” in the neck.

What is Good for Headache?

Headache can be alleviated and relieved at home with methods that we describe as natural and simple methods. However, if the pain becomes very severe, a specialist should be consulted. We can list the practical methods that are good for headache as follows;

Avoiding alcohol and smoking: Smoking can cause pain in the head, so not smoking will be good for headaches. Alcohol causes a lot of headache, especially the next day. If alcohol is not taken, pain is not experienced. The myth that drinking alcohol when you have a headache relieves pain is also not true.

Also; acupuncture is known to relieve pain. Pressure and massage on some special points on the body reduces the pain in the head. These points are between the two eyebrows and in the center of the two eyes. It may be possible to relieve and relieve mild or severe headaches by massaging the neck, temples and forehead. If the headache is of the migraine type, it is recommended to sleep in a dark and quiet room. Because the individual becomes very sensitive during migraine and a dark, quiet environment has a migraine-relieving effect.

Is it harmful to use painkillers for headache?

Painkillers are generally considered innocent medicines. However, they can cause irreversible damage to organs such as kidneys and stomach. Medication is not a direct solution for headache treatment. Therefore, long-term and regular use of painkillers should be avoided. Especially if you feel the need to take painkillers for your headache more than once a week, you should consult a neurologist.

What should I do when my child has a headache?

Headaches in children should be carefully and rapidly examined and any underlying dangerous conditions should be identified. Although it is not well known, migraine is also common in children and if left untreated, it can cause serious school and behavioral problems. Headaches in children should be treated with the same seriousness as in adults. For effective treatment, the child should be evaluated in terms of neurological and mental health.

Should I be alarmed if I have a headache?

If you have one or more of the following headaches, see a neurologist immediately: A headache that is especially new and of a type you have not experienced before, A headache that is more severe than you have ever experienced in your life, Waking up at night with pain, nausea, vomiting. In this case, you should be asked for a brain X-ray. In rare cases, headache may be a sign of brain tumors or bleeding. In this case, brain imaging (MRI or tomography) should be performed quickly and a conclusion should be drawn.

Is it true that there is no definitive cure for migraine and that migraine patients suffer from pain for life?

Migraine is a disorder that can be seen in youth, middle age and old age. However, some people may complain of more headaches in certain periods of life. For example, migraine attacks are more common in the 20s and 50s. For this reason, migraine can be considered a lifelong disease, but its severity varies with age. There is no treatment that will completely eliminate migraine and can be applied in a single session. However, we have many preventive treatments for migraine and when these treatments are applied regularly, the person can lead an almost pain-free life. Therefore, the most important fact that migraine patients should know is that living with pain is not destiny.

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

What is Dementia? Symptoms and Treatment

According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that more than 50 million people suffer from dementia. It is also the seventh leading cause of death worldwide. This disease, especially in older people, is one of the major causes of disability and dependency. In particular, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It negatively affects memory, thinking and social skills, and recognizing the symptoms early is crucial for treatment.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a condition that is often age-related. Alzheimer’s can be added to this. Alzheimer’s covers sixty percent of this condition. Some of the diseases referred to as dementia are as follows;

Vascular dementia due to vascular occlusion
Dementia due to Parkinson’s disease among neurological diseases
Tumors
Hydrocephalus
Dementia due to various vitamin deficiencies
Various blood diseases anemia etc.
Alzheimer’s disease
Dementia due to hormone disorders

What are the Symptoms of Dementia?

The most prominent symptoms of dementia are the forgetting of newly recorded information in the memory. In addition, for a person to be considered as having dementia, at least two of the following functions must be impaired;

Memory
Communication and language
Ability to focus and pay attention
Reasoning and judgment
Visual perception

If you or someone around you is experiencing memory problems or impairment of the above-mentioned thinking skills, you may need to contact a specialist as soon as possible to find out what is causing it.

What are the stages of dementia?

The stages of dementia are levels that indicate the progression of a person’s disease over the course of a year. Dementia stages can be examined comprehensively and in detail. Dementia progresses differently over the years. It varies according to the patients. Two types of scales are used in the progression of the disease. These are defined comprehensively using the three scales and in more detail using the Seven Stages Reisberg Scale developed by Dr. Barry Reisberg from New York University. We can list these stages as follows;

Stage No Cognitive Impairment: There is no abnormality in the person’s memory and behavior. It is not noticed by the environment. If there is any damage, the person may not care about it.
Stage Very Mild Cognitive Impairment: Little cognitive change is felt. Current events may be forgotten. Forgetting personal belongings in different places becomes more frequent. In this stage, problems with forgetfulness are perceived as a sign of old age and considered a natural consequence.
Stage Mild Cognitive Impairment: Cognitive change is felt at a moderate level. Events that were thought to be natural consequences in the previous stages begin to negatively affect the person’s life. The changes begin to be noticed by the person’s environment. The person starts to ignore and hide these problems. It is difficult to diagnose the disease in the early stages.
Stage Moderate Cognitive Impairment: This is considered the beginning of Alzheimer’s. The person has problems with calculations. Disruptions in routine tasks begin and he/she continues to recognize those around him/her. Even if diagnosed, the patient may not accept this situation. On the contrary, moodiness and irritability increase. The patient becomes withdrawn.
Stage Moderately Severe Cognitive Impairment: This is considered to be the moderate-to-severe stage of dementia. The person starts to lose the ability to solve personal problems. He/she confuses event patterns. Serious forgetfulness begins. He/she tends to blame others due to forgetfulness.
Stage Severe Cognitive Impairment: It is considered as the severe level among the stages of dementia. They cannot recognize their actions. They cannot remember the names of their relatives but their faces are familiar. The person has difficulty in fulfilling basic needs and needs help. The person starts to face psychological problems such as remembering an event that did not happen as if it had happened and experiencing delusions.
Very Severe Cognitive Impairment: This is considered to be the most severe stage of dementia. The patient loses motor skills. He/she cannot fulfill his/her basic needs without help. As the disease progresses, the person forgets to sit, eat and becomes bedridden. He/she cannot meet his/her toilet needs and incontinence becomes more frequent.

How is dementia treated?

There is no cure for most forms of progressive dementia. There are some ways to manage the symptoms. Therefore, the treatment of dementia is to keep the symptoms under control and to improve the patient’s quality of life. If the patient has accompanying problems such as depression, hallucinations and sleep disorders, medications for these problems can be added to the treatment, and drugs such as cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine can be used. Some arrangements may need to be made for dementia patients to lead a healthy life. For example; items that may cause the patient to fall in the house can be removed. In some cases, sharp objects may also need to be kept out of the patient’s reach for safety reasons.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a group of symptoms that negatively affect memory, thinking and social skills. Dementia is not a single disease. Rather, there are many types. The most common type is Alzheimer’s dementia, which is responsible for about 60% to 80% of all dementias.

Are Alzheimer’s and dementia the same thing?

Many people may think that the terms Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia mean the same thing. However, recent advances in neuroscience findings and treatment have helped to clarify this. Alzheimer’s and dementia are not the same thing. Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia.

What is a dementia attack?

Dementia is a disease characterized by impairment of mental functions such as learning, memory, orientation, language functions and personality, and has a negative impact on social and work life. The disease starts gradually and is progressive.

How to recognize dementia?

The diagnosis of dementia requires that many cognitive domains are affected. Impairment in cognitive areas negatively affects daily life activities. A diagnosis of dementia can be considered if there is a serious deterioration in situations such as the negative impact on work life, the use of daily devices, activities, housework or personal care.

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

What is Epilepsy? Seizures, Types and Treatment

Epilepsy, a neurological disease, is also commonly known as epilepsy. In this disease, which occurs with epileptic seizures, seizures occur. An epilepsy patient has various symptoms during a seizure. For example, falling to the ground, trembling and contraction of the whole body, loss of consciousness can be seen. This condition, which is difficult to understand from the outside, is caused by temporary abnormal activity in nerve cells in the brain.

Epilepsy is a very common disease. So much so that the incidence of the disease is reported as 0.5% to 1% in the general population. It is popularly known as epilepsy. The disease manifests itself with seizures. What causes these seizures is a kind of electrical leakage.

Abnormal movements occur in the electrical current balanced in the nerve cells in the brain. This leads to loss of consciousness and inability to control the body. We can list the basic features as follows;

Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder.
The incidence of epilepsy does not differ between men and women and affects people of all ages.
Instead of epilepsy, names such as seizure and epilepsy are also used.
Epilepsy is characterized by unpredictable seizures and can cause other health problems.
Epilepsy is a spectrum disease with a wide range of seizure types and treatment responses that vary from person to person.
Misunderstandings about epilepsy cause difficulties that are often worse than seizures.

What are the Types of Epilepsy?

Epilepsy syndromes are characterized by a number of features. These characteristics can include symptoms, which are problems that a person will notice. Also, signs that the doctor can find during an examination or through laboratory tests help to identify the type of epilepsy. Epilepsy types are defined according to the following characteristics;

Seizure type or types
Age at onset of seizures
Causes of seizures
Whether seizures are hereditary
The parts of the brain that are involved
Factors that trigger seizures
How severe and frequency of seizures
Seizure pattern according to time of day
Specific patterns seen on the EEG (electroencephalogram) during and between seizures
Brain imaging findings, for example, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computed Tomography) scan
Genetic information
Other disorders in addition to seizures
The likelihood of improvement or deterioration.

The types of epilepsy defined according to these characteristics are as follows;

Benign Rolandic Epilepsy: It is one of the types of childhood epilepsy. It is characterized by symptoms such as drooling from the mouth, waking up from sleep and not being able to speak, and tilting the lip to one side. Generally, the disease is overcome in adolescence.

Benign Occipital Lobe Epilepsy: This type of epilepsy, which is among the childhood epilepsies, is characterized by symptoms such as visual disturbance and staying focused for a long time.

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: Loss of consciousness and bizarre behaviors are the most prominent features of this epilepsy, which is one of the types of epilepsy seen in adults.

Childhood Absence Epilepsy: The most prominent feature of this type of epilepsy, which is frequently seen in primary school age, is absent-mindedness that can last from 5 seconds to 1 minute.

Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy: It is a type of epilepsy seen in adolescence. Symptoms such as sudden startles in the morning and dropping something in the hand are prominent.

Frontal Lobe Epilepsy: It is so named because it occurs in the frontal lobe region of the brain. Seizures occur suddenly.

Benign Familial Epilepsy of Infancy: This is a type of epilepsy seen in newborn babies, usually caused by genetics.

Photosensitive Photoconvulsive Epilepsy: It is a rare type of epilepsy. In this epilepsy, there is hypersensitivity to light.

Infantile Spasm: It is seen in infancy before 1 year of age. The most prominent feature is the contraction of the body forward and backward.

What are the Causes of Epilepsy?

Epilepsy can have many different causes. In some cases, the cause of the disease may not be fully determined. In general, the causes of epilepsy are as follows;

Hippocampal sclerosis
Central nervous system infections
Brain tumors
Immune-mediated inflammations
Developmental disorders of the brain vessels
Developmental disorders of the brain vessels
Genetic predisposition and inherited diseases.

Some epilepsies are caused by a disruption in a certain area of the brain, resulting in electrical activity emanating from this area. Examples include epilepsy caused by brain tumors and trauma. In some types of epilepsy, there is no damage to a single region. The epileptic seizure starts suddenly in the whole brain. Epilepsies that start in childhood are usually of this type. Epilepsy types also differ from person to person, which also affects the causes and causes of epilepsy. Because not every epilepsy shows the same symptoms in every person.

What are the Symptoms of Epilepsy?

Since epilepsy affects the brain system, it can disrupt many functions managed by the brain. Seizure symptoms can occur in different ways. Symptoms of epilepsy include the following;

Temporary confusion and inconsistencies in behavior
Speech disorders
Short-term loss of consciousness
Experiencing psychological problems
Involuntary tremors
Uncontrollable arm and leg movements
Sudden fall

The most common symptom during an epileptic seizure is loss of consciousness. In an epileptic seizure, loss of consciousness is accompanied by slipping in the mouth, head rotation, automatic movements in the arms and hands. In more serious seizures, which we call major seizures, falling to the ground and severe contractions in the body are observed. In such cases, biting the tongue or lip and urinary incontinence may also accompany. In some seizures seen in childhood, only eye darting can be seen without convulsions.

The most common symptom is loss of consciousness, falling and convulsions in the body. Seizures may occur during daytime or nighttime sleep. In general, it is not clear when it is a sign of epilepsy.

It is not known when they will come, but some patients can feel the seizures coming. In some patients, epileptic seizures may also occur in the form of diving without falling or convulsions. Epilepsy can manifest itself with very different symptoms. These symptoms vary from person to person. The thing to do in this case is to carry out the treatment with a specialist.

How is Epilepsy Diagnosed?

In order to diagnose epilepsy, it is necessary to learn how the patient experiences the attacks. Therefore, what happens during the attacks should be determined in detail.
However, if there is a suspicion of seizure, electrical waves are recorded with Electroencephalography (EEG). Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) of the brain are other diagnostic tests.

To understand the type of epilepsy, it is necessary to understand how and how often seizures occur. Today, cell phones can help with this. Videotaping the moment of the seizure can allow the doctor to see what the seizure is like.

How is epilepsy treated?

Epilepsy is a disease that can be controlled with the right treatment methods. Today, there are very advanced treatment methods. The question of how to treat epilepsy can be answered differently depending on the epilepsy seizures experienced by the patient. However, in general, we can list epilepsy treatment methods as follows;

Treatment with medication
Surgical treatment
Diet therapy
Applications of neurostimulation devices
Complementary health approaches
Clinical trials.

Different types of seizures are treated with different medications. Single drug, maximum dose approach is the approach based on drug treatment. Ketogenic diet is a high fat, low protein and low carbohydrate diet that is effective in the recovery of patients.

The most important step in the treatment of epilepsy is the diagnosis of epilepsy. After the diagnosis is made, it is determined which types of epilepsy epilepsy is included in. After the types of epilepsy are determined, epilepsy is tried to be treated according to the types of epilepsy. One of the most important forms of treatment in the treatment of epilepsy type within epilepsy types is ketogenic diet. Apart from this, appropriate dose and appropriate medication should be used in epilepsy types. The other treatment option is epilepsy surgery, which can be performed for appropriate epilepsy types and appropriate patients.

What should be done during an epilepsy seizure?

In daily life, patients with epilepsy can have seizures anywhere and anytime. It is very important to have information about what to do during an epilepsy seizure. Here are the things you should do when you see someone having a seizure;

First of all, it is necessary to be calm. Then the first thing is to put the patient in a position where he/she will not harm himself/herself.
No attempt should be made to forcibly stop the patient’s involuntary movements.
He/she should not try to close the patient’s jaw or stick out his/her tongue.
If the patient is wearing tight or uncomfortable clothes, they should be removed or loosened.
The patient should not drink water. Because this may cause the patient to drown.
Crowds should not be created in close proximity to the patient.
They should know that this is temporary and should be observed, leaving the patient alone.

What Should People with Epilepsy Pay Attention to?

It is very important for people with epilepsy to be aware of their condition. The most important step to fight against this disease is to recognize the disease and seizures. We can answer the question of what patients with epilepsy should pay attention to as follows;

Take the medicines prescribed for your treatment regularly and on time.
Avoid hard floors in case you fall.
Carry a card that says you have epilepsy.
Do not lock the door when taking a bath.
Avoid excessive light.
Don’t lose sleep. Don’t get too tired.
Take precautions to avoid head impacts in sudden falls.
Do not drive if your seizures persist and always ask your doctor if it is OK before driving.

Although complete cure of epilepsy is not possible in all patients, seizures can be controlled with treatment in the vast majority of patients. However, the patient should be under constant medical supervision and the course of the disease should be carefully monitored.

During an epileptic seizure, the first intervention of people around the patient is very important. Doing things that may harm the person should be avoided.

Epilepsy Seizure

An epileptic seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity that starts simultaneously in one or all parts of the brain. After this activity, brain functions are partially or completely disrupted for a while. Seizures usually last a few minutes, but if they last longer than 5 minutes, an ambulance should be called and an emergency hospital should be called. Although patients wake up after a seizure, it may take a long time for them to fully recover.

Regular sleep
Avoid alcoholic beverages
Do not watch television for long periods of time or in close proximity
When they enter the sea, sea water should not exceed knee height
Avoid frequent consumption of caffeinated beverages such as tea, cola and coffee
Not to use motor vehicles until the epileptic seizure is over
Regular use of medicines
They should avoid stress.

When should a specialist be consulted for epilepsy?

In case of an epileptic seizure, a neurologist should be consulted immediately. During an epileptic seizure, things that can harm the patient during an epileptic seizure should be removed without interfering with the patient.

What are the medicines for epilepsy?

There are many epilepsy medicines. The most commonly used drugs for epilepsy and epileptic seizures are those containing the active ingredients valproic acid, carbamazepine, phenytoin, levetiracetam, lamotrigine and topiramate. These drugs suppress seizures by stopping abnormal electrical discharges in the brain.

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

What is a brain attack (stroke)?

Stroke; It is a condition in which the body cannot fulfill its cognitive functions as a result of blockage in the arteries that feed the brain.

How Does Stroke Occur?

Stroke defines the dysfunctions that occur in the brain due to problems in the vessels of the brain. Vascular diseases are the leading cause of death in our country. Cerebrovascular diseases are the second most common cause of death, right after cardiovascular blockages. In addition to causing death, strokes are also among the causes of severe disability, incapacity for work and need for care.
In particular, paralysis that occurs after strokes, i.e. the weakening of a limb of the body, is a very common condition that significantly affects the person’s capacity to work.

What are the Types of Stroke?

There are some subtypes of strokes;
These are called blockages and hemorrhages.
In the occlusion type; a vessel in the brain is blocked for various reasons and cerebral circulation is disrupted.
In hemorrhages; blood leaks from a vessel into the brain tissue.

What are the Symptoms of Stroke?

Regardless of the cause, the symptoms of strokes are similar.
These are

Weakness, i.e. paralysis
Speech impairment, i.e. aphasia
Visual and other perception impairment
Balance and gait disorders
After some strokes, cognitive functions may be impaired and dementia may occur.

How is Stroke Treated?

The treatment of strokes is now “urgent”, as it is for heart attacks. Therefore, strokes are now called “brain attack, brain crisis”.
Newly developed treatment methods now try to dissolve the clot that causes cerebrovascular occlusion and prevent cerebrovascular occlusion-induced decreased blood flow to the brain and tissue damage.
This new treatment method can only be applied within the first 3 hours. Therefore, from now on, stroke patients should be transported to emergency services as quickly as heart attacks and brain imaging techniques should be used to determine whether the stroke is due to vascular occlusion or cerebral hemorrhage.
If it is a stroke due to vascular occlusion and the patient can be made eligible for this treatment within the first 3 hours, clot-dissolving treatment can be applied. Therefore, with this clot-dissolving treatment, the phrase “time is brain” has emerged. Every second lost leaves irreversible damage to the brain.

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Muscle diseases

Apart from genetic causes, it can also develop due to biological causes. The exact cause is unknown.

What is muscle disease?

Muscle Diseases (Myopathy) Muscle diseases (myopathy) are diseases due to the disease of muscle fibers, often with muscle weakness, thinning, sometimes pain or cramps. Myotonic Dystrophy Myotonic dystrophy is the most common inherited muscle disease in adulthood.

What is the most common and well-known muscle disease? The most common muscle disease is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in genetic patients and Myasthenia Gravis and Inflammatory Myositis in non-genetic patients.

Is it possible to prevent muscle disease?

Although it is not medically possible to prevent genetic muscle diseases, it is possible to slow down the speed of the disease, i.e. the course of the disease, only with medication. In non-genetic muscle diseases, recovery is more possible.

Is it possible to treat muscle disease?

It is possible to treat non-genetic muscle diseases. Genetic (hereditary) muscle diseases are usually seen in children, adolescents and adult patients, and rarely in elderly individuals. When there is a gait disorder in children and adolescents, it should first be considered that there is an inherited disease.

Which methods are used in the treatment of muscle diseases?

Simple medications, cortisone, IVIG or blood exchange can be used in treatment. Some patients are also given prophylactic treatment, which can last for a long time. These treatments are given after it has been diagnosed which type of muscle disease the patient has. This is because some muscle diseases are related to missing substances in the body. When this deficiency is filled, the disease can be treated and life expectancy can be prolonged.

How are muscle diseases diagnosed?

Diagnosis requires examination, blood tests and tests called EMG.

What are the symptoms of muscle disease?

Muscle disease is related to the organs that provide our strength. These organs are the spinal cord, the nerves coming from the spinal cord and the muscles that these nerves feed. It can be mainly a disease of the muscle, but it can also be the starting points of the nerves that control these muscles in the spinal cord or the points where they meet the muscle. The symptoms may also vary depending on the location of the origin of the disease. The common finding in all cases is weakness. Usually muscle diseases manifest themselves as difficulty in walking. In some cases, symptoms such as droopy eyelids and limitation in eye movements are added to these symptoms. Rarely, it also affects the heart and respiratory muscles. Therefore, it should be monitored and measures should be taken before these conditions occur or progress.

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

What is MS (Multiple Sclerosis)?

MS (Multiple Sclerosis) is a disease that occurs when the immune or body’s defense system damages the nervous system (brain, spinal cord) and attacks it as foreign.

Normally, our nervous system is in a hidden environment, away from the immune system. However, for reasons we do not fully understand, our immune system, which is out of control, attacks and damages its own nervous system. Depending on the location of the damage, symptoms and signs vary. Since MS is an immune system disease, other immune system diseases can be frequently observed in people diagnosed with MS.

Table. Other diseases commonly associated with MS

Thyroid/goiter
SLE
M. Gravis
D. Mellitus/Sugar disease
Ankylosing spondylitis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Scleroderma
Behçet disease

What are the Symptoms of MS?

The most common initial symptom of the disease is sensory complaints. Usually, it is not numbness, tingling or tingling, but rather numbness, tingling or tingling. Sensory symptoms occur in 50-70% of patients as momentary symptoms.

Sensory symptoms:

Numbness
Tingling
Pins and needles
Decreased sensation
Stress
Feeling of numbness
The feeling of walking on sand
Itching
Burning
Electrification
Sudden electric shock to the face
It can be a sudden electric shock from the neck to the back and feet.

After sensory complaints, strength (motor) deficits are most common. Symptoms related to strength or power problems are initially seen in 32-40% of patients, but over the years, 60% of patients suffer from varying degrees of loss of strength. This may be a direct loss of strength in a limb, or it may be “heaviness”, “stiffness”, “resistance” or “pain”. Such symptoms often start in the legs.
The third is visual loss or impairment (optic neuritis = inflammation of the optic nerve). This is the initial symptom in 15-20% of patients. It usually starts with one-sided visual impairment. Blurred vision is accompanied by light discomfort and eye pain with eye movements. Loss of color vision is often added to this condition. Black and white vision may occur. The visual nerve can be affected by inflammation of the beginning of the visual nerve just behind the eyeball (papillitis), or it can affect more distant parts of the nerve after it leaves the eye (retrobulbar neuritis). Blindness is rare despite these effects.
The optic nerve may be affected on its own, as an initial symptom, or it may be affected in late stages, in people with MS. In some cases, the risk of developing MS is increased when the optic nerve is affected first or when the disease manifests itself with the first optic nerve involvement: The risk of developing MS is high (36%) if it occurs in women between the ages of 20 and 40, if the test for oligoclonal bands in the spinal marrow fluid is positive, if it is recurrent and if plaques are observed in the brain on eMaR imaging. In contrast, the risk is less than 6% with a normal brain MRI and a negative oligoclonal band test.

Symptoms that may bring MS to mind, especially in a young person, can be listed as follows:

Unilateral vision loss
Incomplete spinal cord injury
Sudden-severe electric shock pain in the face
Extreme fatigue of unknown cause
Heat-sensitive, neurological complaints that increase in heat

What is an MS Attack?

An attack is the unpredictable occurrence of MS symptoms at different times. It is when one or more of the clinical findings occur for at least 24 hours and continue for at least 1 month in between. Attacks can last for hours, days, weeks and months. They are usually followed by a period of recovery. Although the attacks vary according to the patient and the type of disease, the timing and frequency of attacks cannot be predicted in advance.

Temporary/Momentary Symptoms

They are short-term, sudden onset and disappearance, recurring in similar ways, and are not usually called attacks. They last between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.

Sudden pain in the face
Sudden contractions in muscles
Sudden speech impairment
Sudden attack of itching
Contraction on one side
Decreased muscle tone
Sudden expression and speech impairment
Sudden convulsions in the hand-foot

What Triggers MS Attacks?

1) Viral infections

2) Both physical and psychological stress can cause worsening of MS. However, MS attacks can be reduced under high stress. In Israel, which was under constant threat of SCUD missiles during the Gulf war, flare-ups and attacks were significantly reduced during this period.

3) Surgery or anesthesia

4) Increased body temperature. It may not directly cause an attack, but may cause temporary (false) worsening. During a hot bath, numbness, tingling and weakness in the body or blurred vision may increase.

5) Traffic accidents: The evidence for an attack is not very strong.

6) Although the number of attacks decreases during pregnancy, the risk of attacks may increase after delivery due to hormonal changes, stress, and strenuous newborn care. However, even if there are pregnancy-related attacks, they do not cause long-term negative accumulation. According to some data, pregnancy may even lead to positive progression.

What is the age of onset of MS?

In many studies, the age of onset of MS is 29-32 years. In women, the most common age of onset is 5 years earlier than in men. In the primary progressive type, the age of onset is slightly older at 35-39 years. In 5% of patients, the age of onset is below 8 years and above 70 years.

What is the relationship between MS and infection?

Although many viral infections have been suggested to cause MS, there is no certainty that it occurs directly after an infection. This debate has been going on for many years and seems to continue. Infection scans, autopsy results and other studies give conflicting results. It is accepted that viruses seduce the immune system, causing it to attack the wrong target. Viruses include rabies, herpes simplex, the herpes virus, and Epstein Barr virus. Recently, human herpes virus-6, Epstein Barr virus and Chlamydia pneumonia have attracted interest as possible triggers of MS. However, the final word on the impact of microbial infection on MS has yet to be said.

Is MS a genetically inherited disease?

The fact that identical twins have a significantly higher rate of MS is the clearest evidence of genetic influence. Out of 100 identical twins, 24 out of 100 fraternal twins have MS, while 2.4% of twins born from different eggs have MS. This means that MS occurs 10 times more frequently in identical twins. Brain imaging (eMaR) or other examination methods can detect disorders that may occur in MS in twin siblings who have no complaints. Overall, there is a 20% chance that a first-degree relative of MS patients will be diagnosed or develop MS. However, MS is not only a genetic disease. It occurs with the interaction of genetic influence and environmental causes.

How is MS Diagnosed?

As in many other diseases, the diagnosis is based on neurological history, examination findings and tests. Various diagnostic criteria have been developed in the past for a definitive diagnosis and these criteria are partly modified with new information obtained over time. The new diagnostic criteria were revised in 2005. According to these criteria, a diagnosis of definite MS, probable MS or a diagnosis is excluded. The common idea is based on the spread of symptoms and signs over time and space. Patients who do not meet the diagnostic criteria in the early stages of the disease have been confusing. In some cases, there is an attack with clinical symptoms but diffuse plaques are detected on eMaR imaging. This is referred to as a clinical isolated disease picture, although it is not directly named MS.

A common mistake is that bright areas, sometimes detected incidentally on eMaR imaging, are overly assumed to be equivalent to MS. Clinical symptoms should also be consistent with MS. These images are frequently observed in patients with frequent headaches (migraine), in the elderly, and in some diseases affecting the vascular wall (Sjögren’s syndrome, sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythromatosus, polyarteritis nodosa, Behçet’s disease).

If there is a RED FLAG or LIGHT condition after the diagnosis of MS, the diagnosis should be reconsidered. In this case, other diseases other than MS should also be investigated: 1. a family history of neurologic disease, 2. plaques in the lower parts of the spinal cord and not in the brain, 3. persistent back pain, 4. symptoms related to a specific region, 5. onset of the disease above the age of 60 or below the age of 15 and 6. progressive disease. If these are present, other diseases should also be searched for before accepting the diagnosis of MS.

What Causes MS?

According to our current knowledge, no definitive cause of MS has been identified. In various studies, various causes (previous viral infections, certain toxic substances from the environment, dietary habits, geographical factors, disorders in the body’s defense system…) have been suggested, but none of them has been established as a definitive cause. Today, it is accepted that there is a genetic/familial predisposition to the disease and that the disease manifests itself when environmental conditions and other causes are added to this genetics.

How is MS treated?

MS can be summarized as attack treatment, preventive treatments, problem-specific treatments and complementary treatment.

Attack treatment; drug treatment.

Preventive treatment; treatments used to reduce the frequency and severity of attacks or the damage/scars/scars left by patients diagnosed with a certain type of MS.

Problem-specific treatments: There are treatments for problems that are different at the onset or course of MS, that can be seen without any disease, or that are a direct result of MS. These include treatments for depression, fatigue, forgetfulness, insomnia, muscle stiffness, urinary problems, sexual problems and other problems that arise.

Complementary therapies; This treatment can be specified as diet, herbal treatments, changes in daily life patterns, exercises (yoga, relaxation exercises).

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

What is Parkinson's Disease? Symptoms and Treatment

Parkinson’s, also commonly referred to as ‘tremor’, is a progressive nervous system disorder with a significant impact on living standards due to damage to brain cells. Its onset is proportional to the symptoms of movement system disruption and Parkinson’s is a disease that can be treated early. It is usually seen in people in their 60s, but can also occur at an earlier age. Today, it is observed that it is becoming increasingly common with the increase in life expectancy.

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s is the name of a disease that occurs in later life due to a decrease and damage to the dopamine-secreting cells of the brain, leading to movement disorders and involuntary movements. Parkinson’s disease is a slow-moving movement disorder that progresses with the loss of brain cells and is more common in men than in women. This is a manageable disease. The disease occurs in advanced ages and is most common between the ages of 40 and 70. The incidence rate of this disease in the population aged 65 and over is around 1%.

What are the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s is a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disorder. Its onset is proportional to the symptoms of movement system disruption. These symptoms are as follows;

Hand tremor
Tremor starting in the thumb
Inability to swing your arms
Inability to get out of bed
Slow progress while walking
Falls in the elderly
Weakness of movement and impaired balance

As time passes, it manifests itself with reasons such as leaning forward. It is also a disease that restricts movement. The severe course of the disease is often initially associated with the normal aging process, depression or joint disorders.

What are the causes of Parkinson’s disease?

The most important cause of Parkinson’s disease is old age and it occurs after the age of 65. However, not every elderly person has this disease. In the researches conducted, it is more common in men and it has been observed that it occurs for various reasons in the movement factors of the brain.
According to the researches, those who live in the village, rural areas and smokers have a higher risk of developing this disease, but this risk can be slightly reduced in individuals with high coffee consumption.

How is Parkinson’s Disease Treated?

Parkinson’s is a disease that patients cannot fully know and express. They try to explain it based on the situations they experience. Early diagnosis is very important in Parkinson’s. It positively affects the quality of life. Parkinson’s is a treatable disease. We have different treatment methods and different medication options. We adjust them according to the age and other diseases of our patients. For some patients, brain pacemaker implantation gives very positive results and each treatment is individualized.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a condition that causes chronic and ongoing dysfunction as a result of the movement disorder of neurons in the brain.

What are the first symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

The onset is associated with symptoms of movement system problems. Symptoms such as decreased mimics, speech becoming ordinary and deteriorating, the trunk starting to lean slightly forward, tremors, pain are observed.

How should Parkinson’s patients eat?

Parkinson’s patients should pay close attention to their diet. Constipation is the biggest complaint. As body functions slow down, the intestines also slow down. Fiber foods should be consumed. Daily yogurt consumption, fresh broad beans, cycling and exercise are necessary. These conditions do not treat Parkinson’s disease on their own, but only support the treatment.

Can Parkinson’s disease kill?

Parkinson’s disease is a disease that progresses slowly. When its symptoms manifest themselves, the disease becomes more severe. Parkinson’s disease can be fatal because it affects the brain negatively. Therefore, the disease can be called a fatal disease.

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

What is Addiction?

Addiction has behavioral, social, biological and genetic causes; however, no single cause is sufficient to explain addiction alone. Although there are many factors in the transformation of substance use into addiction, it is basically a biological process. Mental characteristics of the person, genetic predisposition, environmental factors, accessibility to the substance, family structure, social environment and cultural characteristics are the most important factors in the initiation of substance use and its transformation into addiction.

Addiction; It causes a substance to negatively affect life and health and causes the person to be unable to stop himself/herself after starting to use it. This is called addiction.

Addiction is a brain disease and must be treated.

In the treatment of addiction, a personalized treatment plan should be made with a specialized team and a multidisciplinary perspective.

It should not be forgotten that addiction is not a person’s fate and can be treated.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ADDICTION?

Addiction has behavioral, social, biological and genetic causes; however, no single cause is sufficient to explain addiction alone. Although there are many factors in the transformation of substance use into addiction, it is basically a biological process. Mental characteristics of the individual, genetic predisposition, environmental factors, accessibility to substances, family structure, social environment and cultural characteristics are the most important factors in the initiation of substance use and its transformation into addiction.

HOW DOES ADDICTION DEVELOP?

People go through various stages on the road to addiction.

Test
Social use
Misuse
Addiction (Use disorder)

The person thinks that he/she can control his/her substance use, which he/she sees as simple in the process of trial use and subsequent development due to his/her initial curiosity towards the substance, and that he/she can quit whenever he/she wants. However, after a while, the use gets out of control and the person starts to use more substances than he/she had planned and anticipated.

Even if a repeated effort is made to quit or use the substance in a controlled manner, no positive results are obtained. The supply of the substance, the time allocated to substance use and the long time spent to get rid of the addiction and to get rid of its effects result in disruption of daily work, lack of time for the family and neglect of the family, and the existence of a constant state of conflict and argument.
The risk of developing addiction varies according to the type of substance used, the purity of the substance, and the physical and mental structure of the person using it.
With the onset of addiction, a vicious circle is entered and the only solution is to treat the disease.

WHAT IS THE AGE OF ONSET OF ADDICTION?

There are studies on the age of onset of addiction in many countries using various statistical methods. In Turkey, the results of the ESPAD study, which aims to investigate the profile and frequency of substance use among 16-year-old youth who continue their education in 6 provinces selected from different geographical regions in 2003, indicate that the age of addiction is decreasing.

WHAT IS THE BIOLOGICAL ASPECT OF ADDICTION?

One of the most important reasons for the individual differences observed in drug response is polymorphisms.

It is known that many brain regions such as the ventral tegmental area, known as the reward center of the brain, the frontal cortex responsible for many functions of the brain such as reasoning, decision-making, impulse control, the amygdala responsible for the management of emotions, the Nucleus Accumbens and Striatum associated with learning are responsible for the development of addiction. At each stage of addiction, changes occur in different parts of the brain, so the development of addiction is a very complex process.

Normally, stimuli that give us pleasure, such as art and eating, cause an increase in dopamine in the reward center of the brain. Substance use also causes a high amount of dopamine to be released from the reward center. This dopamine causes the person to feel pleasure.

Under normal circumstances, an individual has many goals and needs to choose some of them. The emergence of goals, their valuation and the choice of action is associated with the frontal cortex. One of the important aspects of addiction is that the choice of these goals is often limited to those related to the substance. The release of dopamine triggered by substance intake affects the frontal cortex over time, causing wrong decisions to be made and the actions chosen to be limited to substance use. At the same time, dopamine also affects learning-related areas of the brain such as the Nucleus Accumbens and Striatum, causing impaired learning ability. People who develop substance addiction also develop impairment in their ability to learn, store and remember new information. Repetitive and excessive dopamine release also prevents people from enjoying eating, art and music, which are known as natural rewards and normally bring pleasure.

IS ADDICTION GENETIC?

Scientific research shows that some people are predisposed to addiction. How does this happen? Individuals who have abnormal genes for any reason produce abnormal proteins, resulting in the formation of abnormal enzymes and abnormal receptors. The abnormal enzymes and receptors cause dysregulation in the neurotransmitters (transporters between central nervous system cells) of the brain’s pleasure and reward pathways. As a result, there is a basis for loss of control over substance use.

Therefore, substance use by an individual with a genetic predisposition not only causes chemical dysregulation but also ignites the process leading to addiction. However, today’s technology and possibilities are not enough to tell who is genetically predisposed and who is not. Therefore, alcohol/substance use carries with it many risks.

WHAT ARE ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES?

Anything with a reward at the end can be addictive. If we need to reduce this to just substances, it would be more accurate to say newly available substances rather than new substances. A rough list of substances that have been identified to date include tobacco, alcohol, ecstasy, cannabis, heroin, cocaine, bonsai, inhalants (glue, uhu, gasoline, paint removers, ether, halothane, etc.), LSD, GHB, some types of mushrooms, ketamine, anabolic steroids, methamphetamine. In recent years, chemical derivatives of cannabis, which have not yet been detected by routine toxicology tests, have also been used.

However, an increasing type of addiction today is internet addiction. It has become quite common, especially among adolescents and young adults. While betting and gambling have been addictions for a long time, online betting has been added to this. In addition, computer games, internet addiction, virtual shopping addiction are also types of addiction that need to be treated.

WHAT IS THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT OF ADDICTION

There are many psychological explanations that attempt to explain the cause and maintenance of addiction

HOW TO TREAT AN ADDICTED PERSON?

Alcohol or substance addiction is a very difficult disease for the person as well as for their relatives. Since it causes problems in many areas such as family, work and social life, being informed about how to behave as their families will help us to establish healthier relationships with them.

This article has been prepared to provide information about addiction and to help you communicate effectively with your addicted relatives. You can get help from our psychiatrists and psychologists in our hospital for any questions you may have about the information below.

HOW SHOULD YOU COMMUNICATE?

Make her/him feel that you understand her/him…
•Making guilt-inducing statements perpetuates the cycle of alcohol and substance use.
•Be forgiving. He may have made mistakes, just remember that you do not approve of his behavior and actions.
•Avoid lecturing.
•Be a good listener. Try to understand the reasons for alcohol and substance use and help him/her solve them.

Addiction is not something that develops overnight. Usually a person tries the substance a few times and then starts using it regularly, thinking that they can control it.

There is no clear information on how long it takes for addiction to develop. It depends on the type of substance used, the purity of the substance, the frequency of use, the amount and the physical and mental state of the person.

Addiction improves but does not get better. The person must abstain from alcohol or drugs for the rest of their life. Otherwise, the problem of addiction will relapse and the problems will start to happen again.

Addiction has nothing to do with willpower. No one starts using substances to become addicted, they start by saying “one try won’t hurt”. Remember, anyone can become addicted.

Addiction is a brain disease that can be cured. Addicted people should get support and treatment to stop using alcohol and drugs.

HOW SHOULD I BEHAVE AFTER TREATMENT?

Addiction is a family disease. It affects not only the individual but the whole family. Since addiction treatment is a tripartite treatment, you also have an active role in the treatment. The family has important duties both during hospitalization and after discharge.

GIVE RESPONSIBILITY

Addicted people often avoid taking responsibility in their lives. Due to alcohol or substance abuse, they either ignore their duties or find someone else to do them for them. At this point, job descriptions and roles within the family need to be defined. Giving responsibility for their own lives, especially their own living spaces, is among the preventive factors in treatment.

Making new friends. Being in the company and environment of people who use alcohol and substances makes it easier to use again. For this reason, it is important to reorganize your life and fill your free time. Establishing new friendships can be time-consuming, and it is important not to get anxious when there is despair and reluctance.
As relatives, it is important to be patient during this period and support them in making changes in their lives.

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Types of Addiction

Types of Addiction; When we talk about types of addiction, we are talking about the type of substances that people use. It is examined in separate categories.

Addiction types include all addictions that cause addiction in general. Addiction is a brain disease and addiction is a treatable brain disease.

Technology Addiction
Alcohol Dependence
Gambling Addiction
Cocaine Addiction
Tobacco Addiction
Cigarette Addiction
Crack Addiction
Heroin Addiction
Ecstasy Addiction
Volatile Substance Addiction
Amphetamine Addiction
Methamphetamine Addiction
Co-dependency
Shopping Addiction
Substance Abuse in Children and Adolescents
Sex Addiction
Cannabis Addiction
Opiate Addiction
Relationship Addiction

Types of substance abuse according to the World Health Organization;

Opiate Type Addiction
Alcohol, Barbuturate, Benzodiazepine Type Addiction
Cannabis Type Addiction
Cocaine Type Addiction
Stimulant Type Addiction
Hallucinogen Type Addiction
Inhaled Solvent Type Addiction
Tobacco Type Addiction

In DSM-5, 10 different item clusters are defined:

Alcohol
Caffeine
Cannabis (marijuana)
Hallucinogens (LSD, mescaline, phencyclidine, etc.)
Volatiles (paint thinner, gasoline, gasoline, gasoline, honey, etc.) 6)Opiates (morphine, heroin, codeine, methadone, etc.)
Tranquilizers, sedatives and anxiety relievers (diazepam, chlorazepate, etc.)
Stimulants (amphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine, etc.)
Tobacco
Other unknown substances

Behavioral addictions are also listed below

Internet Addiction
Gambling Addiction
Shopping Addiction
Sex Addiction
Relationship Addiction
Eating Addiction

The types of addiction vary according to the substance used and the type of addiction. In general terms, the types of addiction vary according to the object to which the person is addicted. In the treatment of addiction types, the clinic is examined in detail and a personalized treatment program is developed. With a personalized treatment program, the person is taken into a multidisciplinary treatment with a multidisciplinary approach.
There are many methods we use in the treatment of our patients in our clinic.

Bunlar:

Individual Psychotherapy
Group Therapies for Addiction
Interaction Group Therapies
Medication Therapy
Neuromodulation methods (Deep Brain Stimulation (Deep TMS) therapy
Family education

If we evaluate the types of addiction in a general framework, we can say that addiction types are separated within themselves. Therefore, the person should be evaluated and handled by a specialized team and a personalized treatment plan should be made.

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Addiction Treatment Program

The treatment program for addiction varies according to the type of addiction and the general condition of the patient, but an individualized treatment plan is applied. Addiction treatment program is a brain disease that must be planned individually and at this point, a multidisciplinary approach is very important.

Modern Evidence-Based Addiction Treatment Approach

Different treatment methods have been used in the medical world for centuries. Since ancient times, many methods and medicines have been found and put into the service of humanity in the struggle to cure diseases.
In the last stage of modern medicine, “Evidence-Based Medicine” practices are now at the forefront.
What is meant by the term “Evidence-Based” is the demonstration of the therapeutic effects of treatment methods emerging in many different centers around the world against ineffective substances called “placebo” with the contributions of statistical science at the end of long-term studies and follow-ups on patient groups. This evidence-based medicine, which rejects random treatments or treatments based on hearsay or personal experience, plays an important role in the standardization of disease treatments.
The evidence that emerges as a result of scientific methods is shared with the whole scientific world, and then the treatment method or the drug found is offered to the service of humanity.

Psychometric Evaluation

Our treatment team uses structured individual interviews and various psychological tests to make an accurate diagnosis and create an effective treatment plan. Psychometric tests are scientifically based measurement and evaluation tools. No test provides information on its own. Psychometric tests alone do not make a diagnosis, so it is important that the person administering and reporting the test has expertise in this field, test training and clinical observation.
Psychometric tests applied in our hospital;
Computerized tests: COG, SPM, DAUF, NVLT, TOVA, MOXO
Projective tests: Rorschach, Tat-Cat
Intelligence tests Wisc-r, Wais, Cas
Other tests MMPI, TCI, SCID 2, NPT, ASI

Service Program
Our services to make the treatment of our patients more effective in the addiction clinic:

Good Morning Meetings
The aim of the good morning meetings is to enable people to share how their previous day went, important events and problems experienced in the ward, their plans for today and how they feel today.
In order to better understand our patients and to move forward together, a good morning meeting is held with the participation of our doctors, psychologists and nurses together with the entire treatment team.

Visit
It is conducted with the participation of our patient’s individual doctor, psychologist and nurse.

Council Visit
Council rounds are held once a week with the participation of the entire treatment team in our clinic. During these rounds, our patients are discussed in detail and further treatment options are discussed.

Interaction Groups
The interaction group sessions held three days a week cover different topics.
Session titles are as follows:

Communication skills
Recognizing anger and ways to cope
Defining stress and ways of coping
“I Know” quiz competition
Cycle of change
Mindful breathing session – thought navigation
Improving impulse control and emotional skills
Triangulation point
Addiction Group Therapy

SAMBA program is implemented every day of the week by expert psychologists.
(Ögel K., Koç C., Aksoy A., Basabak., A, Evren C. Smoking, Alcohol and Substance Addiction Treatment Program (SAMBA). Yeniden Publications, Istanbul, 2012)

Picture Therapy
It is applied on certain days and hours of the week in the company of expert psychologists and occupational therapists. Individual studies of our patients are evaluated by our therapists.

Sports Therapy
It is practiced on certain days and times of the week with a sports instructor.

Marbling Practice
It is applied on certain days and hours of the week in the company of an expert psychologist and occupational therapist. Individual studies of our patients are evaluated by our therapists.

Music Therapy
It is practiced on certain days and times of the week with an expert psychologist and musicians working in the field. The session ends with mindful breathing practice.

Handicraft Studies
It is applied on certain days and hours of the week in the company of an expert psychologist and occupational therapist. Our therapists evaluate the individual work of our patients.

Wood Painting Studies
It is applied on certain days and hours of the week in the company of an expert psychologist and occupational therapist. Individual studies of our patients are evaluated by our therapists.

Individual Therapy
Individual therapies are very important in addiction treatment.
The goals of addiction therapy are
To help the person gain insight into addiction and develop a sense of loss

Identifying the factors that push the person to substance use
Showing the patient how to avoid the identified person, situation, place or triggers
To enable the individual to recognize and realize his/her desire and to learn and develop ways of coping with it
It is about helping the person to restructure their life.

Individual psychotherapies are very necessary and effective in addiction treatment in order for the patient to gain insight into the psychological factors that cause relapses and to cope with possible risky situations. In order to prevent the intense emotional states that push the person to substance use, problematic thinking and behavior patterns should be identified and evaluated, and more functional responses that can be used instead of these should be determined together with the patient. The focus should be on improving the person’s coping skills with stress and developing problem solving skills. Recognizing and coping with emotions is also important to prevent shifts. Therefore, emotion management should also be worked on in the interviews.
In addiction treatment, it is essential to make motivation effective for the continuity of recovery. For this reason, individual therapies aim to enable the patient to enjoy life without resorting to alcohol and drugs by activating the patient’s resources in cooperation with the therapist and the patient. The patient is encouraged to build a new life outside of the alcohol-substance axis, to take up new pursuits and to live a more planned and programmed life. Change in addiction follows certain steps.
If the person is not aware of his/her alcohol-substance use problem, if he/she does not think that his/her use is harmful for him/herself, he/she should first work on this issue. It is aimed to develop “awareness” by trying to develop the perception of harm in the person.
If the person is aware of his/her problem, the next step is for the person to decide to stop using. In the therapies, it is worked on for the person to move from the awareness phase to the decision phase, that is, to make the decision to apply his/her awareness to his/her life.
If the person makes the decision to quit the substance at this stage, the next stage is the “action” stage. At this stage, the steps to be taken in order for the person to take the decision to quit the substance into his/her life are worked on and it is aimed for the person to take this step and start to stay away from the substance. The answers to questions such as when, how, what measures to take, what to pay attention to, how to recognize the desire and how to cope with it, etc. are considered and plans are made.
The next stage is the “maintenance” stage. The person has now given up the substance. He/she is at the stage of building a substance-free life. At this stage, one should be alert about possible risks and alarms while maintaining a clean life. The person is guided and supported in this process in order to prevent the person from becoming self-confident and entering risky environments or situations over time. From time to time, the person’s motivation to remain abstinent may decrease; at this stage, the therapist’s task is to analyze this situation and intervene appropriately. In the maintenance phase, the person is followed up for an average of 1-2 years. They are supported to stay in the treatment program.

Group Therapy
Group therapies increase the effectiveness of addiction treatment. In these therapies, people can see others who have similar problems to their own, and realize the necessary conditions for treatment through mutual interaction and sharing. Our patients who continue their inpatient treatment at the Addiction Center participate in different group therapies. Psychoeducation and addiction groups are organized every day of the week for inpatients. In the groups, the effects of alcohol-substances, what addiction disease is, what are the possible factors that may trigger alcohol-substance use and how to cope with these situations, what are the methods of recognizing, recognizing and coping with cravings, how to restructure their lives, and what can be done to prevent slippage are discussed.

In the groups, the information support provided by people with similar problems is seen as helpful by the individuals. Information and emotional support are shared in groups. In groups, common experience and understanding can be shared. On the one hand, individuals get rid of social and emotional isolation and feel a sense of belonging to a group.

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Addiction Recovery

The recovery process in addiction can be characterized by different symptoms.

Just like with other chronic diseases, it is not possible to completely recover from addiction, that is, to make the disease disappear as if it had never happened. Instead of recovery, it would be more accurate to say improvement or change.

What is meant by change here is not only stopping the use of the substance, but also being able to control the craving for the substance, maintaining a regular life, coping with negative events without alcohol or drugs, and developing the ability to cope with stress and control negative emotions.

In the treatment of the person, it is aimed to identify the factors that may lead to use and to meet these needs to a level that can be met without alcohol or drugs. However, if these points are left incomplete in the treatment and the person relapses, it is expected that the disease will exacerbate and return to problematic use in a short time.

Although recovery varies from person to person, each period usually has its own characteristics.

Abstinence Period (0-1 month): The first period is the most difficult for the addict who quits alcohol or drugs. This is a period of physical and mental distress, which we define as withdrawal. The person may experience positive and negative sudden emotional ups and downs during this period.

Euphoria period (1-3 months): Towards the end of the first month, when the withdrawal symptoms disappear and the desire to use alcohol or substance decreases, the person thinks that he/she has recovered and the addiction problem has completely disappeared. During this period, many things have changed in his/her life. A regular job, a regular life, stable relationships are very good for the person.

Boredom period (3-6 months): Towards the end of 3 months, boredom, fatigue, weakness and depression may be observed. The person may lose the enthusiasm for change. The regular life may have bored the person and the longing for the old may have started. For this reason, it is important to understand and support the person’s difficulties, especially during this period.

New life period (6 months and after): Although emotional ups and downs are more common in the first 6 months, the period after 6 months is relatively more comfortable in terms of creating a new lifestyle, making new friends and seeking new pleasures.

There are many methods we use in the treatment of our patients in our clinic. These are

Individual Psychotherapy
Group Therapies for Addiction
Interaction Group Therapies
Medication Therapy
Neuromodulation methods (Deep Brain Stimulation (Deep TMS) therapy
Family trainings

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Brain Surgery

Brain

The brain is the most important organ of the body and the nervous system. The brain is the survival condition for the human body. In shape, the brain is divided into two parts: the right lobe and the left lobe. Right lobe: realistic. It deals with mathematical operations. Left lobe: emotional. It deals with visual and auditory issues.

When we are born in the womb, we are born with an average of 80 million neurons in the brain. This number of neurons decreases over time with age. These neurons are connected to each other by connection points called synapses. Brain development is not related to the number of neurons but to the connections between them.

Neurosurgery (Brain Surgery)

Neurosurgery (Neurosurgery) is a surgery of the nervous system. Neurosurgery is the most complex, difficult and specialized department because of the organ it deals with.

Neurosurgery is the treatment of tumors in the brain or spinal cord tissue or tumors that affect these tissues. In addition, neurosurgery is the surgical treatment of diseases such as brain aneurysms, spinal diseases such as herniated discs, congenital nervous system diseases, vascular occlusions and cerebral hemorrhage. Because of this breadth, neurosurgery is divided into different categories. These are:

General neurosurgery
Vascular and endovascular neurosurgery
Spine neurosurgery
Peripheral nerve surgery
Stereotactic, functional and epilepsy neurosurgery
Oncology neurosurgery
Skull base surgery
Pediatric neurosurgery

What diseases does neurosurgery (neurosurgery) treat?

Trauma to the head or neck
Tumors in the nervous system
Spinal disorders (lumbar and neck hernias)
Congenital diseases of the nervous system
Vascular blockages
Existing chronic pain
Scoliosis
Aneurysm
Hydrocephalus
Brain hemorrhages

Brain vascular diseases

There are three types of cerebrovascular diseases. Cerebrovascular diseases occur when the vessels in the brain become blocked or narrowed due to certain conditions and the blood wants to leave the vessel due to damage to the vessel.

Brain vessel narrowing
Brain vascular occlusion
Brain vascular bleeding

Cerebrovascular diseases, ischemic cerebrovascular disease, which occurs when the brain vessels are narrowed or blocked, and cerebral hemorrhage, which occurs when the brain vessel ruptures and blood flows into the brain. As a result of cerebrovascular diseases, people may suffer from paralysis, speech and vision disorders, balance disorders and impaired consciousness. The mildness or lack of permanence of these conditions resulting from cerebrovascular diseases should not diminish their importance. On the contrary, the patient’s relationship with both the people around him/her and the physician should be better, and this issue should be taken seriously and precautions should be taken against possible risks.

Brain tumor

Brain tumors are masses that arise in the brain due to abnormal growth and expansion of cells originating from the brain nerves, meninges or brain tissues. These brain tumors that form in the brain cause some problems in the patient by pressing on the brain. There are many types of tumors. First of all, it is checked whether the tumor is benign or malignant. Benign tumors usually progress slowly. They can be removed by surgery or by radiation therapy. If the brain tumor is malignant, it is referred to surgery because it may cause other diseases. The location and character of the brain tumor and whether it has metastasized or not are extremely important.

Technologies used in brain surgery

What is the O-arm imaging system?

It is a technology that reduces the risk of disease recurrence to zero. It is a tool used during surgery. It reduces the mistakes that are noticed after the surgery is over. The possibility of reoperation is eliminated. It is a preferred technology especially in surgeries that require high precision. The patient is exposed to a very low amount of radiation. It is preferred in high-risk surgeries.

What is neuronavigation?

It is an advanced technology used in brain and spine surgery. The patient’s brain anatomy is removed. The previously located tumor is located from this 3D program. An operation plan is made before the surgery is performed. All risks are revealed in a virtual environment.

What is neuromonitoring?

Thanks to this system, it is checked whether there will be any damage to the spinal cord or the risk of paralysis during the operation, and the operation is performed accordingly before it starts.

What is neuroendoscopy?

A small camera shines a light on hard-to-reach areas of the nervous system. The images it gives there allow surgery to be performed.

What is Gamma Knife?

It is a treatment system that destroys the tumor located in the brain with gamma rays.

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Adult Psychiatry

Adult Psychiatry deals with the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of psychiatric disorders in individuals aged 18 and over.

Services are provided in inpatient wards and outpatient outpatient clinics using the most modern tools and methods. Our team consisting of Psychiatry Specialists, Specialist Clinical Psychologists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapy Specialists work in cooperation during the comprehensive evaluation and treatment process of the client. After the clinical examination, brain imaging techniques, laboratory-blood tests, neuropsychological tests, and consultations with other medical branches from other branch physicians and social work report, the treatment plan is created within the framework of the relevant clinical guidelines according to the preliminary diagnosis/diagnosis.

Treatment delivery is planned as outpatient, day hospital or inpatient ward, prioritizing the patient’s best interest and respecting his/her individual autonomy and preferences. In line with the same principles, all treatment facilities available in modern medicine are used with the aim of maximizing treatment success. In the treatment scheme shaped according to the needs of the patient, drug therapy and other biological treatments (brain stimulation techniques, phototherapy, etc.), individual/couple/family and group psychotherapy studies, social work, occupational therapy, etc. are used in appropriate time periods in order to achieve the best efficiency.

Adult Psychiatric Diseases

Depression
Anxiety
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Paranoid personality disorder (paranova)
Social phobia
Jealousy
Burnout syndrome
Sexual dysfunctions
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Sleep and sleep disorders
Attention deficit and hyperactivity
Eating disorders
Psychosis
Narcissistic personality disorder
Nausea of psychological origin
Somatic symptom disorders
Stacking disease
Psychiatric disorders with physical symptoms
Social functioning
Addiction

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Child Adolescent Psychiatry

In order to be a healthy individual, psychological problems in childhood and adolescence should be prevented before they occur, and if there is a psychiatric illness, it should be solved with the right treatment method. Child-adolescent psychiatry plays an important role in ensuring that a person lives a healthy life, is self-confident and that psychiatric illnesses can be treated at an early stage when they reach maturity. Compared to past periods, child and adolescent psychiatry is expanding widely in our country and in the world. It has a very comprehensive field. It is directly linked to all biological, sociological and psychological sciences.

What is Child Psychiatry?

A child psychiatrist is a person who has completed his/her medical education and specializes in child-adolescent mental health. A child psychiatry doctor is the person who should be consulted when faced with a problem related to the child’s mental health. All mental, cognitive, academic and social problems that may occur during the child’s developmental period fall within the field of child psychiatry.
It is a person who specializes in child-adolescent mental health upon medical education. A child psychiatrist is the first person to be consulted about a child’s mental health. All difficulties of the child in mental, cognitive, academic and social areas are within the scope of child psychiatry. Child psychiatry working methods are as follows;

It counsels the family even if the child does not have any mental problems.
Approaches to protect the child from situations in which he/she may be affected without a mental disorder.
Diagnoses mental disorders in the child. Requests the necessary tests for diagnosis.
Predicts how the mental disorder can be treated and evaluates treatment options.
Organize psychotherapy and medical treatment.
Directs the team in cases where the treatment of the child requires teamwork.
If necessary, the child is hospitalized and followed up.

When should I consult a child psychiatrist?

Child psychiatry can be consulted at any time. Even if the child does not have any mental symptoms, he/she can come for consultation or should come in case of any mental symptoms. The idea that child psychiatrists give medication and psychologists only talk is completely unfounded and very wrong. A child psychiatrist is not a pedagogue or a psychologist.
For example; How should sleep and eating habits be during infancy? The application can be made with an emotional or behavioral symptom that may negatively affect the child’s daily life, school success, family relationships, and harmony with friends.

Which diseases does child psychiatry deal with?

In human life, the stage where the most development and change takes place is the 0-18 age range, which covers childhood and adolescence. During these periods, the subconscious is more affected by the family and the environment and records everything. Everything experienced during this period has permanent effects that direct the whole life. In order to get rid of these negative effects, families should observe their children in time and provide the necessary support. To find a solution to this negative change, it may be necessary to consult a child psychiatry department. We can list the diseases that child psychiatry deals with as follows;

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder
Autism
Excessive use of the Internet and computer technologies
Depression
Suicidal thoughts, self-harm (scratching with a razor blade, etc.)
Anxiety disorders (separation anxiety, social phobia, etc.)
Trauma
Psychosomatic complaints such as headache and abdominal pain that cannot be explained by organic causes
Behavioral Disorders (disobedience, defiance, lying, taking things without permission, etc.)
Learning disorders (Dyslexia etc.)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (obsessions)
Tic disorder
School refusal
Test anxiety
Personality issues
Sleep problems
Toilet habits (bedwetting, non-organic constipation, etc.)
Eating problems (not eating, refusal to eat, etc.)
Speech disorders (stuttering, late speech, etc.)
Friend incompatibility
Sexual development and sexuality-related problems
Dissociative disorder
Mental retardation
Psychosis (schizophrenia etc.) and bipolar disorder

In the department of child and adolescent psychiatry, treatment services are provided to children and adolescents aged 0-18 by applying treatment methods such as individual psychotherapy (psychoanalytic, supportive, cognitive behavioral therapies, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), family therapy, medication and psychometric tests. In some cases, people with expertise in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry also receive additional help from psychologists who are experts in the application of different finding evaluations and treatment processes. A number of developmental, attention and intelligence tests are administered by psychologists to help diagnose psychiatric disorders of childhood and adolescence.
Psychological tests that should be applied by specialists in the department of child and adolescent psychiatry are meticulously performed and compared with clinical findings. As a result, possible psychological problems are named and an appropriate treatment plan is created and the first step is taken to prevent psychological problems in a timely manner. Maximum treatment possibilities are used for the best interest of our patients.

*Page content is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Contact

Karanfil avenue . Alkaranfil street No: 4 Ofis No: 1 Beşiktaş / İstanbul
+90 850 220 17 21
info@checkupway.com