What is a Neurologist?

A neurologist is a specialized trained doctor in treating, diagnosing, and managing the brain's nervous system and brain disorders. Also treating migraine, concussion, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, stroke, and Parkinson's disease. A child neurologist, also known as pediatric, has undergone specialized training in diagnosing and treating neurological disorders in children. This is done from the neonatal period through adolescence.

Some may overlap with adult neurologists, but others may be unique to the younger generation. Here the child neurologists can treat many common conditions in adults like epilepsy, migraine, Tourette, and stroke. Also, they are trained in several conditions that are related to development problems and neurogenetics.

What does a Neurologist do?                                                                    

Diagnose:

By performing several examinations such as physical examination and detailed history, including vision, speech, and mental status testing. Also, perform testing of coordination, strength, reflexes, sensation, and gait. The neurological exam is an essential component of a patient evaluation. Even as medicine is dependent on technology, neurologists play a crucial role. 

Several tests are performed :

The Performed Tests

These are the few tests involved to complete the evaluation are :

●        Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

●        Nerve Conduction Studies and electromyography (NCS/EMG)

●        Electroencephalography (EEG)

Neurologists perform a test to treat and manage neurological conditions or problems related to the nervous system. The common symptoms that will require a neurologist are :

●        Muscle weakness

●        Coordination problems

●        Dizziness

●        A change in sensation

●        Confusion

Those who have problems with their senses, such as vision, touch, or smell, should contact a neurologist since the nervous system causes these problems with sense.

Neurologists also treat patients with

●        Stroke

●        Seizure disorders

●        Multiple sclerosis

●        Neuromuscular disorders

●        Infections of the nervous system

●        Brain abscesses

●        Neurodegenerative disorders that are Lou Gehrig's disease

●        Spinal cord disorders

●        Autoimmune and inflammatory disorders

●        Headaches

●        Migraine

Neurologist Subspecialties:

Since the nervous system is complex and thus includes specializing in a specific area. After finishing the residency training, neurologists do fellowship training in that area. These subspecialties help the doctors to narrow their focus.

The subspecialties include :

●        Neuromuscular medicine

●        Headache medicine

●        Neuro-oncology

●        Geriatric Neurology

●        Autonomic disorders

●        Child Neurology

●        Vascular 

●        Intervention Neuroradiology

●        Epilepsy

Typical Neurological Procedure :

A physical exam and neurological exam are performed upon your first visit, during your appointment. This is done to test coordination, strength, and reflexes. Since these disorders can show similar symptoms, the neurologist will perform more tests to make a diagnosis. The neurologists will recommend a variety of tests and procedures to help diagnose and treat the condition.

The procedure involves :

Lumbar Puncture: To test your spinal fluid, your neurologist will use a lumbar puncture. These procedures will be performed again if the neurologists believe that the symptoms are due to your nervous system's problem. This will be detected in your spinal fluid. This will be done by inserting a needle into the spine. This is done after numbing the spine. Then the spinal fluid sample will be taken.

Tensilon Test: 

This procedure will diagnose myasthenia gravis. This will help your neurologists to determine myasthenia gravis. Here, your neurologists will inject you with a medicine called Tensilon. Then your muscle movements will be observed, how the medicine has affected you.

Electromyography (EMG):

By this test, electrical activity in your spinal cord or brain to a peripheral nerve will be observed. This muscle can be found in your legs and arms. It is responsible for movement and rest, which is accompanied by muscle control. EMGs will help your doctor determine spinal cord disease and general muscle dysfunction and nerve dysfunction. In this test, a neurologist will insert tiny electrodes into the patient's muscles. This helps the neurologist to measure activity that is done while resting and moving.

These will be recorded. This is done by recording the activity with a machine attached to the electrode with several wires. This can be a little uncomfortable.

Here, the neurologists will study for a nerve conduction velocity (NCV) studying in conjunction with an EMG. The NCV works by assessing the patient's nerves' ability to send the signals controlling the muscles. EMG will measure muscle activity. During the NCV procedure, electrodes will be taped on the same muscles where the EMG electrodes are taped previously. There are two sets of electrodes used; One will send small pulses to stimulate the patient's nerve. And the other set will measure the overall result.

The tests, that is, EMG and NCV combined, will take one hour or longer. Here, the patient must avoid nicotine, caffeine before the test conduction since this substance can affect your results. Also, taking any blood-thinning medication and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will be asked to avoid for 24 hours before EMG.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

This test is performed by electrodes applied to your scalp. Here the EEG will measure the electrical activity in your brain. This is used to trace any brain conditions, that is, tumors, inflammation, and other injuries, including psychiatric disorders.

EEG does not cause any discomfort, as in the case of EMG. Small cup-like electrodes will be put on your scalp since the small charges are measured through the electrodes. The technicians will create environmental changes to measure brain signals, that is, noises and different lighting.

Exactly like EEG, the patient has to avoid stimulants one day before the test. The EEG will take an hour to be performed, and recording the results. Sometimes the test will be done while you are asleep.

Conclusion: It is better to contact your nearest neurologists if you face any discomfort regarding muscle pain, headache, and the given symptoms. Don't take any medicines without consulting your Neurologists. It is always advised to carry on the tests to be sure of your condition and in case of some dis-comfort you are feeling. The symptoms can reveal your conditions well, and then the neurologist can treat you further.