Are you having problems with your nervous system? Let's talk about a neurologist!

The nervous system is the most amazing system in our body. It controls everything we think, feel, and do. So even a small problem in this nervous system can disrupt our entire day. You may have experienced things like headaches and numbness in your limbs. That's when we need to think about a neurologist.

Who is this neurologist?

Simply put, a neurologist is a doctor who diagnoses, treats, and manages diseases related to our brain, spinal cord, and nerves throughout our body . The nervous system is like the 'command center' of our body. Everything we think, feel, and do, from the way we move our hands to the way our heart beats, is controlled by this system. So these doctors have a good understanding of the structure, function, and diseases of the nervous system.

So are there neurologists for young children too?

Yes, really! Even young children can have problems with their nervous system. A pediatric neurologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats diseases of the brain and nervous system of children, from newborns to young children. As well as some diseases that affect adults, these doctors also pay special attention to inherited and developmental conditions that are specific to children. Just think, some babies can be born with certain brain problems. That's when this expertise is invaluable.

Who is a Neurosurgeon?

There can be a bit of confusion here. Neurologist and Neurosurgeon are two different people. A neurosurgeon is a doctor who performs surgeries on the brain, spine, and nerves. There are some neurological diseases that cannot be cured with medication alone and require surgery. In such cases, the services of a neurosurgeon are needed. However, most of the time, it is a neurologist who first diagnoses the disease and, if necessary, refers the patient to a surgeon.

What kind of diseases does a neurologist treat?

In fact, the range of diseases that a neurologist treats is very wide. Let's take a look at a few of the most important ones.

• Alzheimer's disease and other dementias: You've probably heard of this one. The main symptom is a gradual loss of memory as you age.
• ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis): This is a disease in which the muscles of the body gradually weaken.
• Brain and spinal cord injuries or blood vessel abnormalities: Problems that can occur if you hit your head in an accident or if something happens to your spine.
• Cerebral Aneurysms and Arteriovenous Malformations: These are very dangerous conditions that can cause bleeding inside the brain.
• Cerebral Palsy and Spasticity: These can often be diagnosed at an early age.
• Concussion: A temporary effect on the brain caused by a blow to the head. This can happen while playing sports.
• Encephalitis: An infection caused by a germ entering the brain, causing the brain to swell.
• Epilepsy: Also called a seizure, it is caused by a change in the electrical activity of the brain.
• Facial pain syndromes: Some people experience unbearable pain on one side of their face.
• Headaches/Migraines: This is a problem that many people have. Some headaches are very severe.
• Hydrocephalus: The accumulation of water inside the brain.
• Meningitis: Inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain caused by infection.
• Mental and behavioral health problems: Some mental problems can also be affected by changes in the nervous system.
• Multiple Sclerosis: This is a disease that causes damage to the protective covering around nerve fibers.
• Myasthenia Gravis and Myopathies: These are diseases that weaken the muscles.
• Neck, back, and spinal pain: Many people suffer from these pains.
• Parkinson's disease: Symptoms include tremors and slow movements.
• Peripheral Neuropathy: Damage to the nerves in the limbs. This can occur in people with diabetes.
• Sleep disorders: Not sleeping properly can also be a neurological problem.
• Stroke: A condition that occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted or a blood vessel bursts.
• Tremor, Dystonia: Things like shaking of the limbs, involuntary twitching of certain parts of the body.
• Tumors in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves: These also require the attention of a neurologist.

How does a neurologist accurately diagnose an illness?

When you see a neurologist, he or she will first ask you about your medical history, whether anyone in your family has had the same condition, what medications you are taking, and your current symptoms . Then, they will perform a special examination of your nervous system. The main things they will look for are:

• Your body's balance, reflexes, and gait.
• The strength of your muscles.
• Your mental state.
• Your sight, hearing, and ability to speak.
• The sensations you feel in your body.

In addition, blood and urine tests may be done to check the severity of the disease or to check medication levels. Sometimes, genetic testing may be done to find out if the disease is hereditary. Imaging studies may also be done to take pictures of the nervous system. All of these are used to determine the exact nature of the disease.

What tests do these neurologists perform?

There are various tests that can be used to accurately diagnose a neurological condition. Not everyone needs to have all of these tests. Your doctor will decide which tests to perform based on your symptoms. Let's look at a few of them.

• Angiography: This checks for blockages, damage, or 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 the body and examining it. It could be muscle, nerve, or brain tissue.
• Cerebrospinal fluid analysis: A small sample of the fluid that surrounds our brain and spinal cord is taken and tested. This helps detect things like bleeding in the brain, infection, diseases like multiple sclerosis, and metabolic diseases.
• CT Scan (Computed Tomography - CT), MRI Scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging - MRI), X-rays, and Ultrasound: You've probably heard of these. These are types of scans that take pictures of the inside of the body.
• EEG (Electroencephalography - EEG): This measures the electrical activity in your brain. It is used to detect things like seizures, infections (such as encephalitis), brain injuries, and tumors.
• EMG (Electromyography - EMG): This measures the electrical activity of the muscles. It can help diagnose nerve and muscle disorders, spinal cord compression, and motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
• ENG (Electronystagmography - ENG): This group of tests looks for things like involuntary eye movements, dizziness, and balance problems.
• Evoked Potentials: This measures how quickly and accurately electrical signals from your eyes, ears, or skin touch travel to the brain. It can detect conditions like multiple sclerosis, acoustic neuroma, and spinal cord injuries.
• Myelography: This helps detect things like tumors, herniated disks, and bone fractures in the spine and spinal cord.
• Polysomnogram: This is used to detect sleep-related disorders by measuring brain and body activity during sleep.
• PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography - PET): This scan shows tumors, or is used to assess conditions such as epilepsy, brain tumors, and Alzheimer's disease.
• SPECT scan (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography - SPECT): This can also detect tumors and infections. It is also used to assess the location of seizures, degenerative diseases of the spine, and stress fractures.
• Thermography: This measures temperature changes in the body or an organ. It is used to assess things like pain syndromes, peripheral neuropathy, and nerve root compression.

When should we see a neurologist?

Okay, now you're probably wondering, 'What symptoms should I see this doctor for?' There are some symptoms that we should be concerned about as soon as we see them. See if you have any of these symptoms:

• Memory loss, frequent forgetfulness: If you frequently forget small things, it is not normal.
• Loss of consciousness: If you suddenly lose consciousness and fall.
• Seizures: Symptoms include convulsions and drooling.
• Changes in taste and smell: If you suddenly lose the ability to taste or smell food.
• Vision problems: One eye is blind, two are blind, vision seems to be blurred.
• Numbness, tingling in the limbs: If an arm or leg feels numb, as if the blood has stopped flowing, or if it feels like pins and needles.
• Facial asymmetry: If one side of the face is different from the other (e.g., one eye droops, can't smile properly).
• Vertigo, Tinnitus, and Deafness: If you experience frequent dizziness, ringing in the ears, or decreased hearing.
• Difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, difficulty raising the shoulders, turning the neck, and difficulty moving the tongue.
• Muscle weakness, muscle twitching, twitching.
• A pain that feels like a burning sensation anywhere in the body, or like an electric shock.
• Neck or back pain, headaches: If these occur frequently or are severe.
• Staggering gait and loss of balance while walking.
• Tremors.
• Slow movements.

Important: If you have one or two of these symptoms, don't panic. However, it's best to see a general practitioner for advice. He or she can refer you to a neurologist if necessary.

How do you prepare when you go to see a neurologist?

When you're going to see a doctor, especially someone like a neurologist, it's in your best interest to be prepared. Here are some things you can do:

• Make a list of the most important things you want to talk about with your doctor. Sometimes we forget what we want to ask the doctor.
• Tell me about any recent changes in your general health.
• Describe any new symptoms you have or changes in symptoms you have had. If possible, keep a symptom diary . Write down when and how they happened, how long they lasted, how severe they were, whether anything made them worse, what the symptoms were, and what you did to relieve them. This is especially important for conditions like epilepsy, insomnia, headaches, and Parkinson's disease.
• Take copies of tests performed by other doctors, CDs with scans, and lab reports.
• Bring a list of all medications, vitamins, supplements, and traditional medicines you are currently taking. Also, tell us about any medications that have not worked for you in the past or that have caused side effects.
• Bring a list of your allergies.
• If possible, take a friend or family member with you. They can write down what the doctor says, listen to it from a second perspective, ask questions, and remind you to schedule follow-up appointments.
• If you want to talk about any other issues, ask if we can set aside a separate time for that.

How long does it take to study to become such an expert?

It's good to know this too. Becoming a neurologist is not something that can be done easily. It takes a long time to learn and train.

• After passing the Ordinary Level and Advanced Level exams well, you need to complete a medical degree at the university in about four to five years.
• Then you need to complete a one-year internship.
• After that, you need to undergo three to four years of specialized training (residency) in neurology.
• Some go even further and receive another year or two of special training (Fellowship) in another subspecialty of neurology.

So you can see, you have to dedicate more than 10-12 years to this.

What other subfields are there in neuroscience?

Neurology is a very broad field. It also has subspecialty fields that allow for further specialization. Here are a few examples:

• Brain injury medicine
• Child neurology - We've talked about it before.
• Clinical neurophysiology - Expertise in tests such as EEG and EMG.
• Epilepsy
• Headache medicine
• Geriatric neurology - About neurological diseases in the elderly.
• Neurodevelopmental disabilities - developmental problems that occur in childhood.
• Pain medicine
• Sleep medicine
• Vascular neurology - about diseases like stroke.

There are many more like this. That means you may even find a doctor who specializes in a specific problem you have.

Finally, things to remember

So, it's clear to you now that a neurologist is someone who diagnoses, treats, and manages diseases related to our brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

If you have any symptoms related to the nervous system, don't ignore them. First, see your family doctor. He or she can refer you to a neurologist if necessary.

When you go to see a doctor, be prepared, explain all your details, and don't be afraid to ask questions. The neurologist is there to diagnose your condition, provide the best possible treatment, and provide you with relief. You are not alone, and there are doctors who can help you on this journey.

` Neurologist, brain diseases, neurological diseases, headaches, epilepsy, stroke