Who is a neurologist?
A neurologist is a certified doctor specializing in diagnosing, managing, and treating disorders in the brain and the central nervous system, including the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and muscles.
Pediatric or child neurologists specialize in diagnosing and treating neurological disorders in children and infants, from the neonatal stage to adolescence. Some of the neurological diseases in children may overlap with adults. However, many conditions are unique to children and need specialist care for better management and treatment. Pediatric neurologists can treat children's developmental and neurogenetic problems and even adult neurological disorders.
What do neurologists do?
The central nervous system is the command center of the body. It directs every action and influences thoughts, feelings, and learning.
Neurologists use their knowledge and skills to diagnose and cure complex neurological problems by understanding the patient's medical history and conducting detailed physical examinations. They may perform various tests to check the patient's mental condition, speech, vision, sensation, coordination, strength, gait, and reflexes.
Innovation and technological advances in neurology have made brain mapping, screening, and accurate assessments more accessible. These evaluations are vital for appropriate diagnosis and effective treatment of the human body's powerhouse: the brain. Unlike neurosurgeons, neurologists don't perform spinal cord or brain surgery. Still, both specialists primarily work together to treat various neurological conditions.
What common conditions do neurologists treat?
Neurological problems can affect any part of the body and individuals at any age, and neurologists are experts in treating and managing all brain and nervous system-related issues, whether minor or complex.
Some common diseases treated by neurologists include-
- Alzheimer's disease (AD): A prevalent form of dementia, Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible brain condition that causes a progressive decline in an individual's thinking, memory, learning, and organizing abilities. Alzheimer's typically starts at the age of 60 and slowly worsens over time. The symptoms of AD depend on the stage of the condition and can involve the decline of functions like reasoning, handling complex tasks, language, and changes in behavior and personality. While there isn't any cure for Alzheimer's, a neurologist may prescribe medication to slow the progression of symptoms.
- Epilepsy is a brain condition that causes recurrent seizures due to abnormal electrical signals produced by damaged brain cells. This disease can change a person's muscle movements, behavior, and sensations. Seizures often have triggers or events that happen before the seizure occurs. These may be unique to an individual and can occur around certain times or during certain events. Patient-reported triggers include stress, flashing lights or patterns, foods like caffeine, times of the day or night, and certain medications, including sleep over-the-counter products. Treatment of epilepsy depends on the type of seizure experienced. A neurologist will conduct tests such as Electroencephalography (EEG) and MRI to diagnose epilepsy. Most patients can become seizure-free in a few years with the proper treatment.
- Parkinson's Disease (PD): An age-related degenerative brain disorder, Parkinson's disease causes certain parts of the brain to deteriorate over time. It is commonly seen in older adults aged 60 or above. However, it can occur at a younger age. Genetic factors generally cause it, and there is no cure for this condition. Patients with Parkinson's disease have slow movements, tremors while resting, blinking less often than usual, trouble swallowing, unstable posture or walking gait, and poor balance and coordination. A neurologist may prescribe medication or perform surgery to manage symptoms and improve a patient's overall quality of life.
Neurological exams and procedures
Various diagnostic and screening tests that neurologists recommend include the following:
- Blood and urine tests to check for protein disorders, toxins, and infections.
- EEG or electroencephalograph is used to study brain function by recording electrical activity in your brain. It is conducted on patients with seizure symptoms.
- Brain or spine imaging tests to check for brain damage, tumors, or problems with spine disks, nerves, bones, or blood vessels.
- EMG or electromyogram to check the communication level between muscles and the nerve. It is conducted on patients with acute muscle pain symptoms.
- Lumbar puncture or spinal tap test, where a small quantity of fluid is extracted from the spine to check for infection or blood presence.
- A tensilon test is performed to check for signs of myasthenia gravis that weaken the muscles.
- Evoked potentials are a series of tests that measure the brain's stimulation of vision, hearing, and specific nerves.
- Nerve or muscle biopsy, where a tiny amount of tissue is taken and examined under the microscope to check for signs of neuromuscular disorders.
Top reasons to see a neurologist near you
The human brain is virtually limitless. With billions of possible neural connections and more, there is no doubt that this sensitive and well-protected organ is susceptible to temporary and life-long damage. A visit to a neurologist is essential under the following circumstances:
- Movement issues like difficulty walking, unintentional movements or jerks, trembling, and more can be signs of a neurological disorder. Sometimes, trembling or shaking may be due to anxiety or medications. If these issues persist or worsen over time, you should consult a neurologist to understand and seek proper treatment.
- Headache: We all experience headaches at some point in our lives. A sinus infection, toothache, or flu may cause headaches. But migraine headaches are very severe and often show symptoms like vomiting. Headaches can be sudden, continuous, or get worse by strain. Severe headaches can even lead to seizures or disruptive vision. These are signs of a severe neurological disorder, and you must see the neurologist immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.
- Numbness: Tingling or numbness could occur for simple reasons like putting extra pressure while sitting, which can cut off the blood circulation to a particular body part. It is resolved as soon as you release the tension. These symptoms can also signify stroke, which may require immediate medical assistance. However, if numbness is sudden, continuous, or occurs only in a particular body part, you may want to see the neurologist for a thorough diagnosis and treatment immediately.
- Chronic pain: Any pain that lasts for months or years is called chronic pain. Pain is usually a result of injury or illness. However, if the pain is long-lasting, it could be a sign of an underlying neurological problem. You must see a neurologist for a better diagnosis and appropriate treatment if you experience chronic pain, numbness, weakness, bowel control issues, or bladder problems.
- Dizziness: There are different types and varying degrees of dizziness. Neurologists treat dizziness symptoms linked to disequilibrium or vertigo disorders. People with disequilibrium disorders have difficulty keeping their balance. People with vertigo disorder feel like they are spinning or the world around them is spinning. Visiting a neurologist can help you understand these symptoms and receive proper treatment.
Neurologists help cure or manage complex neurological problems and help you lead a good quality of life. But how do you find qualified neurologists from endless online profiles, websites, and directories? The answer is simple: Log in to Zocdoc.
How do you prepare for your neurologist appointment?
Being prepared helps you get the most out of your visit to the neurologist. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the appointment.
- Create a list of critical health conditions or symptoms you plan to discuss with the neurologist. Open communication is crucial to achieving the best solution to your neurological health issues.
- Discuss your chronic or evolving symptoms. Note the triggers and severity of symptoms. It helps because neurological conditions like sleep apnea, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, or headaches often show evolving signs.
- Carry copies of previous test results and ongoing medications or treatment. Also, bring your detailed medical history. It will help the neurologist understand your health and create a suitable treatment plan.
- Bring a family member or relative with you during the visit. When discussing your neurological conditions with the neurologist, it helps to have an additional set of ears and eyes.
- Discuss all your allergies and potential medication side effects. Make it a point to ask all your questions and doubts about your condition. Ask if another appointment is required to discuss other health concerns.
Find the best neurologists near you in Commack, NY
With Zocdoc, you can easily find the most experienced board-certified neurologists in Commack, New York. Our website has a detailed list of qualified neurologists.
The process is simple: Create a free account on Zocdoc. Next, choose your specialty or condition, location, date, and insurance plan. A comprehensive list of doctors based on your search criteria will appear. Zocdoc has partnered with qualified, experienced neurologists in Commack, New York, who provide extensive advice and treatment to patients.
You can even use the Zocdoc insurance detector if you need clarification on your insurance plan. You can also upload a photo of your insurance card if you cannot find your health plan on Zocdoc. Once you upload a photo, Zocdoc will scan the image of your card and show you your likely plan. Note this service is available only for medical insurance cards. Dental and vision are excluded. If you need help uploading your card, contact Zocdoc's service team. For more insurance-related information, check out Zocdoc's patient help center.
Each board-certified neurologist on Zocdoc has a profile that includes a brief introduction, education qualification, practice location, patient reviews, and visit reasons. You learn everything you need about a particular neurologist on a single platform.
After completing an appointment, Zocdoc asks patients to leave a review. Therefore, the best way to find the most trusted neurologist in Commack, New York, is to read updated patient reviews on Zocdoc. You can even filter the results by gender if you're specifically looking for female or male neurologists.
You can also book video appointments on Zocdoc before an in-person visit to better understand your neurologist. Look for a purple video icon on neurologists' profiles or filter the video appointment selection.
Book appointments with neurologists near you who accept your insurance plan in real-time. All Zocdoc bookings are simple, secure, and free!
Statistics on neurologists, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS New York, USA
According to the May 2023 data published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics website, the US had about 9,350 practicing neurologists. With almost 1,220 practicing neurologists, New York and Pennsylvania ranked 1st among all states, followed by California, Florida, and Texas.
According to the latest data published on the Alzheimer's Association website, approximately 427,000 people in the 65+ age group in New York are living with Alzheimer's disease. About 7.1% of people 45 years and older experience subjective cognitive decline. About 543,000 family caregivers share the disease burden in New York. These caregivers provide almost 879 million hours of unpaid care.
The 2015 ALS data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that approximately 16,583 people in the US were reported to have definite amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The ALS prevalence was estimated to be about 5.2 per 100,000 people, similar to the 2014 rate of about 5.0.
According to the 2022 data published on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, Parkinson's disease mortality rate in New York was about 6.5 per 100,000 people, with about 1751 deaths.
Parkinson's Foundation research data states that about 1 million people in the USA live with Parkinson's disease. By 2030, the affected population will rise by about 1.2 million. About 90,000 people in the USA are diagnosed with Parkinson's every year. A sharp 50% increase in numbers compared to the previous estimate of about 60,000 annual diagnoses: globally, over 10 million people are living with the disease.
Sources
WebMD
Houston Methodist
University of Utah
Cleveland Clinic[1]
American Academy of Neurology
Healthline[1]
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
Alzheimer's Association
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[1]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[2]
Parkinson's Foundation
Healthline[2]
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Cleveland Clinic[4]
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
