A neurologist can be thought of as your brain’s best friend. While this description might provide an overview, it doesn’t delve into the specifics of what services a neurologist can offer to patients. In this article, Dr Julian Sargon-Ungar will discuss the range of critical and specialized services provided by these highly skilled healthcare professionals.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurological Disorders
One service offered by a neurologist involves the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions. These conditions, comprising over 600 types, could range from migraines and headaches to more complex diseases like Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis. Neurologists use tools such as neurological examinations, CT scans, MRIs, and EEGs for accurate diagnoses and treatment planning.
Neurological Rehabilitation
With conditions like stroke or traumatic brain injuries, or chronic ailments like Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, patients often need support to regain lost skills. Other than that, these patients also need to learn new ways of performing tasks. Neurologists collaborate with a team of health professionals to provide intensive neurological rehabilitation to help patients restore their function and independence.
Pain Management
While not exclusively their domain, neurologists play a crucial role in pain management, especially when the pain originates or is related to issues in the nervous system. Dr Julian Sargon-Ungar Conditions such as chronic migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, neuropathic pain, and others fall under this category.
Sleep Medicine Services
Neurologists who specialize in sleep medicine evaluate, diagnose, and offer treatment options for sleep disorders. Sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, and parasomnias can all be treated under this service.
Neuromuscular Medicine
The neuromuscular field focuses on illnesses that affect the peripheral nervous system, such as neuromuscular junction (such as myasthenia gravis), and nerve diseases (peripheral neuropathies). Neurologists provide diagnosis and management of these conditions, increasingly critical as some diseases in this category can be life-threatening.
Clinical Neurophysiology
Finally, this neurological service deals with assessing the health of a patient’s nervous system through non-invasive techniques. Neurologists use procedures like electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and nerve conduction studies to diagnose conditions like epilepsy, neuropathies, and myopathies.
