Neurology is the branch of medicine in charge of the study, diagnosis, control and treatment of all those conditions that take place in the central and peripheral nervous system or that can affect them. Cerebrovascular disease is the most common reason for visiting a neurologist, yet many conditions are treated by a neurologist and can be as simple as a headache or as complex as a brain tumor.
At present it is considered that 1 in 6 people suffers from a neurological disorder, which represents about 15% of the population. Most of the people who go to the neurologist are referred by the family doctor, since it is not as frequent to go to this specialist as it can be to go to the cardiologist or the traumatologist. In any case, if you want to know when to go to the neurologist , in this FastlyHealarticle we offer you a guide to all the diseases that this specialist treats.
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When to go to the neurologist
The central, peripheral and autonomic nervous systems are responsible for important processes in the body such as controlling all the functions of the organism, for this reason it is important to go to the neurologist at the moment in which a neurological complication is identified, since these Pathologies can be treated and controlled when the diagnosis is made on time. On the contrary, when you go to the neurologist late it can also be too late to solve problems that can compromise the health and even the motor capacity of the body. The diseases or conditions that the neurologist treats are vital for the correct functioning of the body, recognize them and identify when to go to the neurologist:
Headache
When the headache is constant, repetitive, does not subside with painkillers and compromises the quality of life of the person, it is necessary to go to a neurologist. This specialist is in charge of treating all headaches, from headaches to migraines , and, above all, of finding a cause that justifies the existence of this symptom.
Neuralgias
Neuralgia is a sensitive disorder, pain that appears as a response or symptom to an injury that has occurred in a nerve or several nerves. It is necessary to go to a neurologist to determine what is the root of this discomfort and diagnose if there is compression, distortion or irritation of the nerve and what causes it, since most neuralgias are secondary, that is, they appear as a consequence of other pathologies .
Cerebrovascular diseases
Thrombosis, aneurysms, hemorrhages and embolisms can appear or occur in the brain and significantly compromise a person’s health and the functioning of the body. Neurologists are trained to identify these pathologies early, prevent them, treat them and, in many cases, operate to reduce the risk of a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) , an injury that is also treated by a neurologist.
Epilepsy
It is a brain disorder that causes episodes or crises in which a person experiences abnormal or uncontrolled activity of neurons that affect attention and behavior. Epilepsy is treated and controlled by a neurologist.
Seizures
The neurologist is the specialist responsible for identifying the cause of seizures, which can occur due to an epileptic seizure, medications, high fever, brain injuries, and other illnesses. Seizures occur due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Alzheimer
It is a form of dementia that affects memory and behavior and is treated by a neurologist. This disease is highly degenerative and neurological treatment is essential to prevent the disease from progressing and dementia from being uncontrollable.
Parkinson’s disease
Another neurological disorder that affects movement and occurs because neurons do not produce enough of the hormone dopamine. The neurologist is responsible for improving the quality of life of the person with Parkinson’s disease and alleviating the symptoms and involuntary tremors that this disease produces.
Multiple sclerosis
It is an autoimmune condition that affects the entire central nervous system due to damage to the protective layer that covers neurons, which causes nerve impulses to stop or decrease. This condition must be treated by a neurologist and the specialist’s job will be to reduce the range of symptoms of multiple sclerosis as much as possible , since this condition is degenerative and has no cure.
Spinal problems
Spinal diseases, contrary to popular belief, should be treated by a neurologist, since the spine contains a large number of nerves and is responsible for the motor skills of the body’s extremities. From cervical discomfort to low back pain, they are treated by a neurologist to the point that there are specialists in neurology who are dedicated solely to treating spinal conditions.
Sleep disorders
Insomnia, sleepwalking, narcolepsy or any other disorder that affects sleep directly are treated by a neurologist, who will give the appropriate treatment to increase the ability to fall asleep.
Movement disorders
It is advisable to go to the neurologist when symptoms that are related to movement such as tremors, involuntary movements, tics and spasms, muscle weakness, paralysis, tingling and decreased sensitivity occur.
Gait disorders
Walking in a disoriented way, not maintaining a gait, not coordinating the feet, dizziness, instability and vertigo are symptoms that should be checked by a neurologist since they can be the cause of an injury to the central nervous system.
Learning disorders
When children have difficulty speaking, have memory problems or are unable to concentrate or attend, it is recommended that they see a child neurologist.
How is the first consultation with a neurologist
In the first consultation with a neurologist, the specialist will carry out a questionnaire to find out what are the symptoms that affect the person , also requesting information on previous diseases, surgeries performed, existing pathologies in the family and a history of neurological disease. At this time it is best to detail the symptoms that are presented to the neurologist as much as possible so that he can have a suspicion of diagnosis before performing the physical examination.
Once the symptoms consultation is finished, the specialist will proceed to perform a physical examination to check the neurological functioning of the body, for which he will ask the person to make movements with his tongue, eyes, arms, legs, knees and will also study the impulses and reflexes. It is common for neurologists to check your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
After performing the physical examination, the doctor will already have some more specific suspicions, but surely he will require advanced tests or studies that allow him to corroborate the diagnosis, so it is quite common for these specialists to request CT scans with or without contrast of the brain, spine or cervical , or order an MRI. When the cause of the consultation is due to seizures, epilepsy, memory loss, among other symptoms, the neurologist may request an electroencephalogram to measure the electrical activity of the brain.
In a second consultation with the neurologist, the results of the tests must be delivered to obtain a diagnosis and the specialist will send treatment to control the symptoms and the disease or condition identified.
How many times do you have to go to the neurologist
Depending on the diagnosis, it will be determined when to go to the neurologist again, since there are conditions such as migraines that do not require constant control, however, you should visit the specialist in cases of very strong migraine headache attacks. in which the vision or mobility of the hands is compromised.
However, once a person is diagnosed with neurological disease, they will most likely visit the neurologist at least once a year to check that the disease is controlled, that the treatment continues to work, or perhaps there is a better and more advanced drug. Outcome. It will also be necessary to continue visiting the neurologist in case symptoms worsen or new signs of neurological disease appear.
People with diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, aneurysms or who have suffered from a cerebrovascular disease should be in constant check-up with the neurologist, visiting him at least once a year to monitor their condition.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.