Who is a neurologist? Let's find out exactly what this is!

Do you sometimes feel dizzy? Or do you feel like your arms or legs are going numb? Maybe your memory is a little weak, and you don't remember words quickly? The reason for these things could be a small problem in our nervous system , that is, in the brain, spinal cord, or nerves. So today we are going to talk about a specialist doctor who investigates and treats diseases related to the nervous system . That is a neurologist, or as we say in English , a neurologist .

Who is this neurologist?

Simply put, a neurologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system, which runs throughout our bodies . These doctors have in-depth knowledge of the anatomy of our nervous system, its function, and the various conditions that affect it.

Think of it this way: our nervous system is like the 'command center' of our body. Everything we think, feel, and do – from waving your hand to the beating of your heart – is controlled by this nervous system. So if there's a problem with this system, it can affect our entire body.

Who is a Pediatric Neurologist?

Now you might be thinking, "Do these kinds of problems only happen to adults?" No, they don't. Even young children, from newborns to young children , can have problems related to the nervous system. So, we are the specialist doctors who diagnose and treat neurological diseases in children like this. Pediatric Neurologists are doctors who treat conditions that affect adults, as well as neurological disorders that are specific to children, such as those that are inherited or developmental .

Who is a neurosurgeon then?

There's a bit of confusion here for many people. That's the difference between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon.

A neurologist is a person who treats neurological diseases, mainly through medications and physical therapy.

A neurosurgeon ( A neurosurgeon is a doctor who performs surgery on the brain, spine, and nerves.

Sometimes, both of these specialists work together to treat a patient. For example, if someone has a brain tumor and needs surgery to remove the tumor, the neurosurgeon will do it. But the neurologist may be the one who will administer the appropriate medication and manage the recurrence of the disease. Do you understand the difference?

What diseases does a neurologist treat?

There are many conditions that a neurologist treats. Let's take a look at some of the most important and common ones:

• Alzheimer's disease ( Alzheimer's Disease and other dementia conditions (i.e. diseases in which memory is gradually lost).
• Neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig's disease.
• Brain injury , spinal cord injury , or vascular malformations .
• Cerebral aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations .
• Congenital conditions such as cerebral palsy and spasticity .
• Concussions occur when the head is hit, such as during sports.
• Encephalitis .
• Epilepsy , that is, seizure disorder.
• Facial pain syndromes .
• Frequent severe headaches/migraines .
• Hydrocephalus (accumulation of water on the brain) .
• Meningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
• Some mental and behavioral health disorders ( these are also treated by psychiatrists).
• Multiple sclerosis is a disease that damages the nerve sheaths.
• Muscle-weakening diseases like myasthenia gravis and other muscle diseases (myopathies) .
• Pain in the neck, back, and spine.
• Parkinson's disease ( a disease that causes tremors and slow movements).
• Peripheral neuropathy, a condition that causes numbness and tingling in the extremities.
• Sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleepwalking.
• Stroke is the sudden loss of power on one side of the body.
• Conditions such as tremors and dystonia , which is a condition in which body parts are involuntarily twisted.
• Tumors in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

When you see this list, you probably understand how important a neurologist plays.

How does a neurologist diagnose diseases?

When you see a neurologist, he or she will first ask you about your medical history , including your past medical conditions, family history , medication history , and current symptoms .

Then, a special examination related to the nervous system (neurologic examination) is performed. This mainly looks at the following things:

• Your coordination, balance , reflexes, and gait .
• Muscle strength .
• Your mental health .
• Your vision, hearing and speech .
• Your sensations , that is, whether you feel things like touch, pain, and heat.

After these tests, if the doctor needs more information, he or she may order some tests . For example, blood tests, urine tests, etc., to check the severity of the disease, or to check the levels of medication. Sometimes, genetic testing may be ordered to find out if the disease is hereditary. Imaging studies, such as scans, may also be ordered to take pictures of the nervous system.

Based on all of this information, the doctor will determine exactly what your illness is and begin appropriate treatment. Treatment may include medications, physical therapy, and sometimes lifestyle changes.

What types of tests does a neurologist order?

Now let's see what tests a neurologist most commonly orders and what they find.

• Angiography: This checks for blockages, damage, or other abnormalities in the blood vessels in your brain, head, and neck. It can detect things like aneurysms and blood clots.
• Biopsy: This involves taking a small piece of tissue from your body for examination. This type of biopsy can be taken from muscle, nerve, or brain tissue.
• Cerebrospinal fluid analysis: This involves taking a small sample of the fluid (CSF) that surrounds your brain and spinal cord and examining it. It can look for signs of bleeding inside the brain, infection, diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), and metabolic diseases.
• CT scan (Computed Tomography - CT scan), MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging - MRI scan), X-rays and Ultrasound: These are types of scans that take pictures of the inside of the body in various ways and help diagnose diseases.
• EEG (Electroencephalography): This measures the electrical activity of your brain. It's like taking an ECG of your heart. It can help diagnose conditions like epilepsy, brain infections (e.g. encephalitis), brain injuries, and tumors.
• EMG (Electromyography): This records the electrical activity of the muscles. It is used to diagnose diseases of the nerves and muscles, spinal nerve root compression, and motor neuron disorders such as ALS.
• ENG (Electronystagmography): This is a group of tests used to detect things like involuntary eye movements, dizziness, and balance problems.
• Evoked potentials: This measures how quickly and completely electrical signals from your eyes, ears, or skin touch travel to the brain. This can help diagnose conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS), acoustic neuroma (a tumor on the nerve in the ear), and spinal cord injuries.
• Myelography: This test helps detect tumors, herniated discs, and fractures in the spine and spinal cord.
• Polysomnogram: This measures brain and body activity during sleep. It is useful in diagnosing sleep disorders.
• PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography): This is also a special imaging test. It is used to show tumors and evaluate conditions such as epilepsy, brain tumors, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.
• SPECT scan (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography): This imaging test can also detect tumors, infections, and evaluate the location of epilepsy, degenerative spine disease, and stress fractures.
• Thermography: This measures temperature changes in the body or specific organs. It is used to assess pain syndromes, peripheral nerve disorders, and nerve root compression.

Not all of these tests are done for everyone. The decision about which test to do will depend on your symptoms and your doctor's suspicions.

When should I see a neurologist?

Now you may be wondering, "What symptoms should I see a neurologist for?" Here are some common symptoms:

• Memory disturbances, forgetfulness.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Seizures .
• Taste or smell disturbances.
• Vision problems ( e.g., sudden blurred vision, double vision).
• Numbness and tingling sensations in the limbs.
• Facial asymmetries (meaning one side of the face is different from the other - e.g., a drooping eyelid, inability to smile properly).
• Vertigo , tinnitus, and deafness .
• Difficulty swallowing , hoarseness in voice , difficulty raising shoulders, turning neck, difficulty moving tongue.
• Muscle weakness , cramps , spasms and twitching .
• Burning or electrical shock-like pain anywhere in the body.
• Neck or back pain, headache (especially if it persists or is severe).
• Loss of balance while walking (Imbalance in gait).
• Tremors.
• Slowness in movement.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, it is best to see your family doctor (GP) immediately for advice. If he or she feels it is necessary, he or she will refer you to a neurologist.

How do I prepare for a visit to a neurologist?

The first time you see a neurologist, you can benefit greatly from being as well prepared as possible. Here are some things to help:

• Make a list of the most important things you want to talk about with your doctor. You might forget them later.
• Tell us about any recent changes in your overall health .
• Describe any new symptoms you have or any changes in your previous symptoms .
• It's a good idea to keep a symptom diary . Write down the day and time your symptoms started, how long they've been present, how severe they are, what triggers you think they are, what the symptoms are, and what you were doing at the time. This is especially helpful for people with conditions like epilepsy, sleep apnea, headaches, and Parkinson's disease that don't always have symptoms.
• Take CDs with test results and scans from other doctors.
• Bring a list of all the medications you are currently taking (prescription medications, over-the-counter medications), vitamins, supplements, and herbal products . Also, tell us about any medications you have used in the past that have not worked properly or that have caused side effects.
• Bring a list of your allergies .
• If possible, bring a friend or family member with you. They can write down what the doctor says, ask questions you forget to ask, and help you schedule tests and appointments.
• If there is anything else to talk about, ask if we need to set aside more time for it.

How long does it take to study to become a neurologist?

Becoming a neurologist is not an easy task. It requires a lot of dedication and a long period of education. Typically, you have to go through a journey like this:

• A four-year college degree .
• A four-year medical school education .
• A one-year internship (in neuroscience and other fields).
• Three years of residency training (during which the training is entirely in neuroscience).
• Some people then complete a fellowship, which can last up to three years. This is not required, but it can help you gain expertise in another subspecialty of neurology. This period may be longer if someone is training in multiple subspecialties.

So you can see how dedicated these doctors are to come to this place.

What are some of the subspecialty fields in neuroscience?

Neuroscience is a very broad field. There are subfields within it that you can specialize in. Here are a few examples:

• Brain injury medicine
• Child neurology
• Clinical neurophysiology ( related to tests like EEG, EMG)
• Epilepsy
• Headache medicine
• Geriatric neurology ( neurological diseases of the elderly)
• Neurodevelopmental disabilities (such as autism)
• Neuroimaging ( specializing in things like MRI, CT)
• Neuro-oncology (brain and spinal cord tumors)
• Pain medicine
• Sleep medicine
• Vascular neurology ( about things like paralysis)

Finally, what to remember (Take-Home Message)

A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in diseases and conditions of your brain, spine, and nervous system. He or she will examine you, perform tests, diagnose your condition, and treat you with medication and physical therapy. If necessary, they may refer you to another specialist, such as a neurosurgeon, and work with you to treat you.

When you visit your doctor, take notes about your health history and symptoms. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The neurologist is there to diagnose your condition, treat it as best as possible, and support you along the way. Remember, you are not alone!

` Neurologist, brain diseases, nervous system, epilepsy, paralysis, headaches, Parkinson's disease