There are many different types of specialties within medicine due to the complexity of the body. Neurologists are physicians who have additional training beyond medical school and focus on the treatment of disorders of the nervous system. The central nervous system includes the spine and brain, as well as the system of nerves that transmits signals from the brain to the muscles.
Specialized in the Nervous System
A primary care physician will usually refer a patient to a neurologist if the patient is showing symptoms of a disorder of the nervous system. Neurologists then attempt to arrive at a diagnosis by conducting a series of tests. For example, they may test reflexes, sensation, balance, or a patient’s ability to speak or reason. Neurologists may also order pictures taken of the inside of a patient’s body via methods such as a CT scan or MRI, or use an EEG to measure a patient’s brain wave activity. Once they have arrived at a diagnosis, neurologists work with a patient’s primary care doctor to ensure that a patient gets the treatment he needs.
The Conditions Neurologists Diagnose and Treat
There are many disorders of the nervous system that neurologists specialize in diagnosing and treating or managing. For example, neurologists often work with patients suffering from Parkinson’s, Ataxia and other movement disorders. Patients with cluster, tension or migraine headaches sometimes see neurologists. So do patients with Lou Gehrig’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis or epileptic seizures. In addition, elderly patients suffering from Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia often receive treatment from neurologists, as do individuals who have sustained a traumatic brain injury.
