Neurology

Neurology is the branch of medicine and medical specialty dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease or impaired function to the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles and autonomic nervous system as well as the blood vessels that relate to these structures.

WHAT A NEUROLOGIST DOES

A neurologist applies skills developed through training and experience to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the nervous system and muscles. Through the application of sound clinical methods the neurologist evaluates the signs and symptoms, presented by the patient, and applies principles of physiology and anatomy to deduce the disorder of function and anatomic structures implicated. Using additional laboratory data and clinical history of the progression and mode of onset a pathologic diagnosis can be arrived at. An attempt at finding the causation and mechanism of the disease or disorder is made. Finally one determines whether it is a temporary process or permanent.

In addition to the clinical evaluation additional testing may be performed by a neurologist with special training or expertise. The performance of electromyography (EMG) for evaluation of problems related to the spine, peripheral nerves and muscles is common. In patients with sleep disorders sleep studies (polysomnography) are helpful in suggesting additional treatment to resolve the problem. Patients with pain may benefit from nerve blocks or trigger point injection often obtaining considerable relief.

THE KIND OF PATIENTS A NEUROLOGIST EVALUATES?

Neurological disorders range from the very common to the very rare in a busy clinical practice. The most common disorders evaluated are headache, dizziness, back pain, seizures, strokes, Parkinson’s disease, neuropathy, dementia and syncope. The rarer conditions are usually hereditary or congenital.