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Looking after our community and providing excellent care

Thinking and Cognition - Neurology

For some people a neurological condition can affect the way they organise their thoughts and remember or plan. Others it can affect their concentration. If your symptoms are mild than simple strategies can be helpful.  

  • The charity Brain and Spine Foundation provides advice on living with a neurological condition and suggests ways to adjust and live well with memory difficulties: Memory problems 

Your lifestyle can also affect this: 

Tips for keeping well:  

  • Keep up your normal activities  
  • Stay involved with your family, friends and community.  
  • Eat a balanced and healthy diet NHS Inform: Eating Well 
  • Do some physical activity, such as walking – aim for at least half an hour most days: How to Keep Active 
  • Keep your mind active – continue with the things you enjoy, or take up a new interest.  
  • Reduce stress – simple relaxation exercises can help a lot (NHS inform) 
  • Try to get good quality sleep: How to Sleep Better 
  • If you smoke, try and reduce: NHS Inform: Stopping Smoking 
  • If you drink more than the recommended amount, try to reduce: NHS Inform: Alcohol 
  • Your GP should monitor your medication, blood pressure and cholesterol 

If your symptoms are causing you difficulties or you notice a sudden change then it is important to see your GP for a review. They will look at what may be causing these changes and rule out possible causes like infection. If your difficulties persist referral to an Occupational Therapist or Neuropsychologist may be recommended for further assessment and support.  

This would be particularly important if it could affect your ability to make and understand decisions, communicate them, act on them and remember them as there are safeguards that can be put in place to collect and protect your wishes for your future. 

We hope that you have found this page useful. Please contact us if you think we have missed anything important; if you have any issues accessing the pages or simply to provide your feedback using the email below.

This page has been developed as part of a local Neurological Framework Project supported by funding from the Scottish Government 2021-2022. 
Getting in touch

We shall be delighted to hear from you, so here are the various ways of contacting us:

The Balfour

By telephone to:
01856 888100
(during office hours)

01856 888000
(out of hours)

By e-mail to:
ORK.feedback@nhs.scot

By letter to the address below:

Foreland Road
Kirkwall
Orkney
KW15 1NZ