Who is a Neurophysiologist? Let's understand it simply!

You may not have heard of a specialist who checks to see if your nervous system, which includes your brain, spinal cord, and the network of nerves that runs throughout your body, is working properly. Just like a specialist who checks to see if the wiring in your home is working properly, has a short somewhere, or if the current is low, this doctor also checks the "electrical system" of your body. Today we are talking about this specialist, a Neurophysiologist.

Simply put, who is a Neurophysiologist?

A neurophysiologist is a specialist who studies the functioning of our nervous system, especially its electrical activity , and conducts tests and diagnoses related diseases.

Think about it, our body is a very complex machine. The control room of this machine is the nervous system. That is, the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves that carry information throughout the body. Everything you think, feel, and do is controlled by this system. From the time you raise your hand to the time your heart beats, it is all part of it.

So if there is a problem with this system, whether it is a problem with the flow of information or a problem with electrical signals, a neurophysiologist will help to find it.

Neurologist and Neurophysiologist - What is the difference between these two?

These two names often get confused with each other. Both are doctors who work on the nervous system. But there is a slight difference. Let's understand this with an example.

Imagine there is a problem with the lighting system in your house. You would first talk to a regular electrician. He can look at the entire wiring system of the house, see if the fuse is blown, the switch is faulty, the bulb is burnt out, and get a big picture. That's what a Neurologist is like. He is a doctor who has extensive knowledge of every aspect of the nervous system, that is, its structure, function, and all the diseases related to it. A Neurologist prescribes your medication and plans your treatment.

Now imagine that there is a very complex problem that the electrician cannot find. The voltage of the current decreases, it seems that there is a small leak somewhere. Then he brings in someone who uses special meters, an expert in current flow. That's what a Neurophysiologist is like. He is an expert in the function of the nervous system, especially in the way electrical signals travel. What he does is to conduct various tests, analyze the results, and find out exactly what the problem is in the functioning of the nerves.

The two main roles of a neurophysiologist

We can divide neurophysiologists into two main categories, depending on the way they work.

1. Those who work in surgery (Surgical Neurophysiologists)

2. Those who diagnose diseases in clinics (Clinical Neurophysiologists)

Let's look at the role of each of these people separately.

1. The Role of the Neurophysiologist in Surgery

This is a very important area. Imagine that someone is undergoing a major operation on their spine or brain. While performing the operation, surgeons need to monitor for nerve damage. If there is even a small mistake, a person can become paralyzed, lose hearing, or have a stroke.

That's when a neurophysiologist joins the surgical team. He or she uses special equipment to monitor the electrical activity of the patient's nervous system throughout the operation. This is called Intraoperative Neurophysiology Monitoring (IONM) . When a nerve is even slightly affected, its electrical signals change. As soon as the neurophysiologist sees that change, he or she alerts the surgeon. The surgeon can then take the necessary steps before damage occurs.

2. Neurophysiologist who makes clinical diagnoses

This is the Neurophysiologist we usually see, the one our doctor refers us to. They are in hospitals or clinics. They do various tests to look at the functioning of the nervous system. It is based on the results of these tests that your Neurologist will determine exactly what condition you have.

These are some of the main tests they perform:

• EMG (Electromyography): This test looks at the health of your muscles and the nerves that control them. If you have numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arm, this test can help determine whether the problem is in the muscle itself or in the nerves that supply it. This is important for diagnosing conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (pinched nerve in the wrist) and Peripheral Neuropathy (damage to the nerves in the arms and legs due to conditions like diabetes).

• NCS (Nerve Conduction Study): This measures how long it takes for an electrical signal to travel along a nerve and how fast it travels. If a nerve is damaged, the speed at which that signal travels decreases. Often, both EMG and NCS tests are done together.

• EEG (Electroencephalogram): You may have heard of this one. This involves attaching small electrodes to the scalp and recording the electrical activity of the brain . This test is essential for diagnosing conditions such as epilepsy and finding out where in the brain the cause lies.

• Evoked Potential Test: This involves giving a stimulus, such as light to the eyes or sound to the ears, and measuring the electrical activity in the brain and spinal cord in response to it. That is, it measures how quickly what you see with your eyes reaches the brain, and how quickly what you hear with your ears reaches the brain.

• Sleep study / Polysomnography: Some people have problems with breathing, snoring, and sleepwalking during sleep. To diagnose these sleep disorders, the patient is hospitalized and various body functions (brain waves, breathing, and heart rate) are monitored overnight. This is also done by a Neurophysiologist.

How to become a Neurophysiologist?

This is a very long and dedicated journey. A neurophysiologist is a doctor. Therefore, you must first enroll in medical school and complete a medical degree (MD/MBBS).

Then:

• You must complete a one-year internship.
• After that, you need to undergo several years of postgraduate training (Residency/MD) to gain specialist knowledge in neurology.
• After that training, you will study the functioning of the nervous system in more depth and receive training in a subspecialty called Neurophysiology.

This requires a lot of time, study, and dedication.

So if your doctor refers you for a test like an EMG or EEG, now you know that you are going to see a Neurophysiologist. He is someone who will examine your nervous system in depth and help you make the most accurate diagnosis for your condition. So don't be afraid, ask that doctor any questions or concerns you may have. They are there to help you.

Neurophysiologist, Neurologist, EEG test, EMG test, NCS test, Nervous system, Surgery