Neurology Department

Department Overview

What is Neurology?

Neurology is a branch of medicine concerned with the nervous system and its diseases.

What is a Neurologist?

A neurologist is a physician fully trained to be able to diagnose and manage the disorders of the nervous system.

When to see a neurologist

Do What it Takes to Start, To Have a Healthy Heart

Early detection is the key to preventing serious health problems. Regular physical exams can help diagnose any medical conditions at early, treatable stages. The following symptoms warrant seeing a neurologist.

The warning symptoms include:

• Headaches
  We all suffer from headaches at some point, usually due to stress, tension or may be due to a mild illness like a cold. But if it is severe and persistent, it may be caused by frequent migraines or rarely by bleeding into the brain. Patients with severe or life-disabling headaches have to be urgently managed by a neurologist.
• Chronic pain
  Almost everyone have pain in their back or neck which can often be managed by their family physician. But if you are experiencing a pain associated with other neurological problems such as weakness, numbness, or problems with bladder or bowel control, a neurologist should be involved.
• Dizziness
  There are different kinds of dizziness. The kinds which require a neurologist include vertigo (which is a sensation of spinning and loss of balance) and disequilibrium (which is a sense of imbalance and incoordination of movement). These symptoms have different causes, some more serious than others.
• Numbness or tingling
  Numbness can be caused by many medical problems. Many of these problems can be managed by primary care physician, but some require the involvement of a neurologist. Numbness and tingling are most concerning when they are persistent, get worse, only affect one side of the body, or are associated with other neurological symptoms. These may be indicating serious condition as a stroke which requires urgent evaluation.
• Weakness
  Some people confuse muscle weakness with muscle fatigue. But in fact, true weakness is being unable to perform basic functions such as lifting your hand. Fatigue also known as Perceived weakness_ is the feeling which is associated with exertion. In addition, Weakness usually affects some muscle groups compared to fatigue which affects all of them. It is crucial to differentiate between weakness and fatigue as fatigue is benign condition which may be caused by sleep loss or a mild illness whereas weakness can be caused by serious conditions such as stroke or neuromuscular disease.
• Movement disorders
  Common problems with movement include clumsiness, tremor, rigidity, unintentional movements, incoordination of movement or difficulty walking.
• Vision problems
  Gradual vision loss associated with aging is best managed by an ophthalmologist. On the other hand, vision loss of sudden onset can be caused either by a problem with the eye or a problem with the nervous system and requires immediate medical attention.
• Seizures
  In fact, not all seizures require seeing a neurologist as if it is caused a certain problem known to cause seizures such as hypoglycemia or alcohol withdrawal, their seizures can be basically treated by managing the underlying cause. On the other hand, if you experience a seizure without any known cause, a neurologist will be involved.
• Difficulty thinking
  Difficulty thinking problems include difficulty finding words or speaking, problems with memory, change in personality, hallucinations, or confusion, in which case seeing a neurologist can be helpful
• Sleep problems
  Sleep disorders are very common and include snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, sleep deprivation, and restless legs syndrome. These disorders are best served by a pulmonologist, psychiatrist, or neurologist.