Who is a neurologist?
The central nervous system is the command center of the body. It controls every movement and even oversees how you think, learn, and feel. A neurologist is a certified doctor specializing in diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders affecting the brain and the central nervous system, including the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles. They can treat neurological conditions such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, migraine, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease, stroke, and multiple sclerosis.
What is the education and training of a neurologist?
Neurologists undergo extensive education and training of 12-15 years before they can begin practicing. They start their journey by earning a 4-year undergraduate degree followed by a 4-year medical degree. After that, they gain practical experience through a 1-year internship in neurology or related fields. Subsequently, a 3-year neurology residency program under the supervision of proficient medical experts equips them with specific knowledge and skills in the field.
At this stage, neurologists have two options—they can either start practicing in a clinic or hospital or further their training with a 1-3 year fellowship in a neurology subspecialty like child neurology, neurodevelopmental disabilities, pain medicine, and more. Neurologists who choose to do multiple fellowships will have more extended training periods.
What do neurologists do?
Neurologists are highly trained healthcare professionals who can diagnose complex neurological problems by studying a patient's medical history and undertaking a detailed physical examination. They may conduct various tests to check the patient's mental status, speech, vision, sensation, coordination, strength, gait, and reflexes.
Neurologists may also conduct screening tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) or computer-assisted tomography (CAT), electroencephalography (EEG), nerve conduction studies, and electromyography (NCS/EMG), and lumbar puncture (LP). These screenings are crucial for effective disease diagnosis and treatment.
Neurologists cannot perform spinal cord or brain surgery like neurosurgeons, but both specialists work closely to treat various neurological conditions. However, all neurologists can attain some level of subspecialization to become experts in a particular field, like pediatric neurology. Pediatric or child neurologists specialize in diagnosing and treating neurological disorders in children and infants, from the neonatal stage to adolescence. While some neurological diseases in children may overlap with adults, many conditions are unique to children and need specialist care for better management and treatment. Pediatric neurologists can treat developmental and neurogenetic problems in children and neurological disorders in adults.
When should you see a neurologist, and how must you prepare?
You must see the best neurologist near you if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory loss or forgetfulness
- Taste or smell problems
- Seizures
- Sudden sharp pain in any body part
- Muscle spasms and twitching
- Numbness and tingling sensations
- Muscle weakness
- Back or neck pain and headache
- Slow movement
- Difficulty swallowing
- Tremors
When you visit a neurologist, carry your detailed medical history, including a list of ongoing medications, previous test results, and ongoing treatment details. These records can help neurologists understand your health and create an appropriate treatment plan.
What should you ask your neurologist?
Having a neurological condition can overwhelm and cause stress and hopelessness. While having these feelings is normal, you do not have to live with them lifelong. Learning about your diagnosis and treatment options in detail can put you at ease. Instead of relying on generic information online, ask your neurologist the following during your next appointment to get tailored treatment:
- What is the underlying cause of my condition?
- Is there a permanent cure for my condition, or do I have to deal with it lifelong?
- Can you explain the diagnostic test results?
- What are the possible treatment options for my condition?
- What are the benefits and risks of the treatment?
- Should I avoid anything while my treatment is going on?
- Will any alternative therapies help?
- Should I make any lifestyle and diet changes to support my recovery?
- How will you measure my progress?
- When can I expect to see any improvements?
- Should I be aware of any warning signs? What should I do in an emergency?
- How will the condition affect my personal, professional, and social life?
- Can you provide me with reliable online resources to learn more about my condition?
What is multiple sclerosis (MS)?
MS affects everyone differently. Typically, in MS, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, damaging myelin cells. This damage can interrupt nerve signals from the brain to other body parts.
While the cause of MS remains unknown, a few triggers include:
- Viruses or bacteria exposure: Some research states that exposure to certain infections like the Epstein-Barr virus can trigger MS in the future.
- Living environment: One's environment may play a role in your risk of MS development. Some parts of the world, such as areas far from the equator, have significantly higher disease rates than others. It is because these regions receive less intense sun. People with less sun exposure have lower vitamin D levels, a risk factor for MS development.
- Functioning of the immune system: Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease.
- Gene mutations: A family member suffering from MS can increase the disease risk. But it's still unclear how and which genes play a role in triggering multiple sclerosis.
Vision problems like optic neuritis leading to blurriness and pain in one eye are the first signs of multiple sclerosis. Other symptoms are:
- Gait changes
- Loss of balance or coordination
- Fatigue
- Muscle spasms
- Muscle weakness
- Tingling or numbness, mainly in the legs or arms
All MS patients should consult their doctor if any of the abovementioned symptoms appear. However, a general healthcare practitioner may need more information or skills to manage MS successfully, and they may refer you to a neurologist.
A neurologist can support their patient throughout their MS journey. They shall begin by diagnosing the kind of MS a person has developed. Generally, it can be one of the following four types:
- Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS): During the first episode of MS symptoms in a person, the healthcare providers categorize it as CIS. Not all persons with CIS go on to develop multiple sclerosis.
- Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS): The most common type of multiple sclerosis, people with RRMS typically have flare-ups.
- Primary progressive MS (PPMS): People with PPMS have symptoms that gradually worsen without any periods of relapse or remission.
- Secondary progressive MS (SPMS): Most people diagnosed with RRMS eventually develop SPMS. With secondary-progressive MS, a patient continues to accumulate nerve damage, with symptoms progressively worsening.
How is multiple sclerosis (MS) treated or managed?
Currently, there exists no medicine for MS. However, treatment aims to control symptoms, reduce relapses, and reduce disease progression. The treatment plan comprises:
- Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs): Multiple medications have FDA approval for long-term MS treatment. These drugs prevent new lesions from forming on the spinal cord and brain.
- Relapse management medications: Neurologists can recommend a high dose of corticosteroids during a severe attack. The drug can reduce inflammation.
- Physical rehabilitation: MS affects your bodily function. Staying fit and strong will help you maintain mobility.
- Mental health counseling: Coping with a chronic health condition is challenging emotionally. MS affects your mood and memory sometimes. Working with a neuropsychologist helps in managing the disease.
Disease-modifying therapies are an effective way to reduce the number of flare-ups, also called relapses or attacks. Leading a healthy lifestyle is also essential. The lifestyle choices one makes can help slow disease progression. Good care can also reduce the symptoms and improve the quality of life. Lifestyle changes improving your condition include:
- Healthy diet intake: There is no magic MS diet. Experts recommend a balanced diet with many fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein. You should also limit your unhealthy fats, added sugars, and processed foods.
- Regular exercise: Multiple sclerosis can cause balance loss, muscle weakness, and difficulty walking. Flexibility, aerobic exercise, and strength training help keep muscles strong and sustain physical function.
- Stress management: Stress can take a physical and emotional toll on one's body. It can also interfere with sleep, which worsens MS-related fatigue. It's essential to manage stress by doing yoga, exercise, meditation, and working with a mental health provider.
- No smoking and limiting alcohol intake: Smoking and alcohol are associated with worsening MS symptoms and could speed the disease's progression.
- Physical therapy: A physical or occupational therapist teaches strengthening and stretching exercises and how to use devices to perform daily tasks. Physical therapy builds muscle strength and eases some of the MS symptoms.
- Muscle relaxants: Muscle relaxants like tizanidine, baclofen, and cyclobenzaprine can help with MS. Onabotulinumtoxin A treatment is an option for those with spasticity.
- Medications to reduce fatigue: Modafinil (Provigil), Amantadine (Gocovri, Osmolex), and methylphenidate (Ritalin) may help reduce MS-related fatigue.
- Medications to increase walking speed: Dalfampridine (Ampyra) may help slightly increase walking speed in some people. People with seizures or kidney dysfunction may also benefit from this medicine.
- Other medications: Neurologists may also prescribe drugs for sexual dysfunction, depression, pain, insomnia, and the associated bladder problems of MS.
How can a neurologist help people with Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder distinguished by progressive cognitive decline. While it can affect individuals at a younger age, such cases are relatively uncommon. The prevalence of the disease escalates significantly with age, with the number of affected individuals doubling every five years beyond the age of 65.
On one's journey of navigating life with Alzheimer's, the neurologist serves as a guide who diagnoses, treats and manages the condition and its symptoms. If they suspect Alzheimer's, the best neurologist near you shall undertake a thorough diagnostic process through meticulous clinical evaluations, including cognitive assessments and recording of detailed medical histories. They may also employ diagnostic imaging techniques like MRI or CT scans, which can help eliminate the possibility of other conditions and detect structural alterations in the brain linked to Alzheimer's.
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the neurologist develops a personalized treatment plan. Frequently, medications like cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine can alleviate symptoms and potentially impede disease advancement. These treatments are continually reviewed and adjusted during regular follow-up appointments.
Beyond pharmacological interventions, neurologists assist in managing specific symptoms associated with Alzheimer's by addressing issues like agitation, depression, or sleep disturbances that can significantly impact the patient's quality of life.
Neurologists also serve a crucial role in care coordination. They collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as geriatricians, psychiatrists, and neuropsychologists, to provide holistic care. They often assist patients and their families in navigating the intricacies of Alzheimer's, providing supportive services, access to community resources, and guidance for caregivers.
In appropriate cases, neurologists may also discuss opportunities for patients to partake in clinical trials or research studies, contributing to advancing the understanding of Alzheimer's disease and potential future treatments while also opening new avenues of care for the patient.
Finding the best neurologist near you in Chicago, IL
When a primary care provider suspects you have MS, you must see a neurologist. Zocdoc is one of the most convenient and accessible platforms for severe health issues. It can help patients find a suitable doctor offering comprehensive services in just a few clicks.
Using Zocdoc, you can find the best neurologist simply and quickly by entering basic information like your area of residence, symptoms, etc., and a list of professionals will appear. They are highly qualified and easily accessible through our platform. Hence, immediately take online medical assistance from a trusted platform that guides you 24*7 at your convenience.
You can also look for in-network neurologists if you have medical insurance coverage. To do so, select your insurance carrier and plan from the drop-down menu in the search bar. If a manual search doesn't help, go to your account settings and upload a clear photo of your insurance card. Zocdoc will scan it and suggest your plan. You can add those details to the search bar and continue looking for providers who accept your insurance! Zocdoc's service team can guide you through the process if uploading your card proves difficult. You can further visit our patient help center for any insurance-related queries.
Booking with Zocdoc is easy, secure, and 100% free!
Multiple sclerosis statistics in Chicago
The National MS Society, Greater Illinois Chapter, reports that more than 20,000 Illinoisans experience MS. However, these estimates only reflect registered members of the National MS Society and do not accurately account for every person with MS in Illinois.
Primary progressive MS is the standard form, affecting approximately 10-20% of people with MS. Primary progressive MS characteristically begins later than the other forms, around age 40.
Monozygotic twins have a concordance rate of around 27%, while dizygotic twins of the same sex have an approximate 2.3% concordance rate. The incidence for first-degree relatives of MS patients ranges between 2% and 5%, whereas the incidence for the general population is under 0.1%.
Sources
Healthgrades
Cleveland Clinic
Mayo Clinic
Illinois Department Of Public Health[1]
Illinois Department Of Public Health[2]
Medline Plus
Science Direct
Cleveland Clinic
American Academy of Neurology
Healthline
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
WebMD
American Academy of Neurology
Hudson MD Group
