Renowned Michigan-based neurosurgeon Dr Jay Jagannathan has raised awareness about the growing concern that women face a higher risk of neurological disorders compared to men — conditions that frequently remain undiagnosed for years. Sharing his insights through an Instagram post titled “Silent neurological conditions that affect women more than men,” Dr Jagannathan highlighted the urgent need for women to recognise and respond to subtle early symptoms that often go unnoticed.
Dr Jagannathan pointed out that disorders like migraines, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune neuropathies, and silent strokes tend to affect women more significantly due to hormonal and immune system differences. “These conditions often start quietly, progress gradually, and are dismissed as stress or hormonal imbalance,” he explained.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), migraines are considerably more common among women — largely due to hormonal influences. Even medication-overuse headaches, one of the most common secondary headache disorders, are reported to affect up to 5% of the population, with a higher prevalence in women.
The neurosurgeon emphasized that symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, tingling sensations, mood changes, or imbalance can all signal early neurological disturbances. He advised women not to ignore these symptoms or attribute them solely to emotional or hormonal fluctuations. “Your body always gives clues,” Dr Jagannathan said. “Listen to them. Early consultation can change the entire course of a disease.”
He further urged that awareness should not lead to fear, but rather to proactive health monitoring. “Awareness is not fear; it’s protection. The earlier we recognise warning signs, the more lives we can save,” he concluded.
This discussion serves as an important reminder for women to prioritise their neurological and vascular health, engage in preventive screenings, and seek professional guidance at the earliest signs of discomfort or change.
