What is neurology?
Neurology is a specialized medical discipline that studies, diagnoses, and treats diseases and conditions affecting the nervous system. The nervous system is a sophisticated, intricate network that regulates and coordinates various bodily activities.
The term "neurology" encompasses a comprehensive examination of the intricate network of approximately a hundred billion neurons, which can independently generate electrical impulses or respond to stimuli from other neurons. From congenital anomalies to degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, neurology addresses both structural and functional issues within the nervous system.
What does a neurologist do?
A neurologist is a doctor of medicine (MD) or osteopathic doctor (DO) specializing in diagnosing, treating, and managing neurological disorders associated with the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. Neurologists specialize in physical conditions and do not treat mental health conditions. However, one may recommend you to a neuropsychologist who can treat mental health disorders associated with neurological diseases.
Some common ailments treated by neurologists are Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease (PD), brain and spinal cord injuries, epilepsy, meningitis, stroke, headaches, migraines, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Since the brain and nervous system are complex structures, some parts of these structures require in-depth study and research. For this reason, many neurologists complete a fellowship to further specialize in neurological subspecialties, some of which include:
- Neuro-oncology: It involves advanced care and treatment for those with malignant and benign brain and spinal cord cancers, such as astrocytomas and gliomas originating from the brain.
- Pediatric neurology: Many neurological conditions in adults are similar to those in children and infants. However, the treatment and patient care involved are slightly different and are done by pediatric neurologists.
- Sleep medicine: Many sleep disorders, such as central sleep apnea, circadian rhythm disorders, parasomnias, and narcolepsy, interfere with sleep, an essential function. Neurologists who specialize in sleep medicine treat these conditions as neurologic sleep conditions.
- Neuromuscular medicine is a branch of neurology that focuses on treating disorders that affect the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which comprises all the sensory and motor nerves that link the brain to the rest of the body.
Education and training of a neurologist
Education and training are the most critical factors determining a neurologist's proficiency. To become a neurologist, an individual must complete a rigorous educational and training program to equip them with the knowledge and practice required to diagnose and treat neurological disorders.
The first step to becoming a neurologist is gaining an undergraduate degree in a related field, such as biology, chemistry, or neuroscience. After earning their undergraduate degree, they must attend medical school to acquire a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree or Doctor of Medicine (MD).
After completing medical school, the individual must undergo a residency program in neurology that typically lasts for three to four years. During this residency, they receive extensive training in detecting and treating neurological disorders such as stroke, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis.
In addition to residency, many neurologists choose to complete a fellowship program that focuses on a specific area of neurology, such as movement disorders or neuromuscular diseases. Fellowship programs ensure specialized training and research opportunities that allow neurologists to become experts in their chosen fields.
Neurologists must engage in continuing education to have updates about the latest advancements in their field. They attend conferences, seminars, and workshops to keep current on new treatments and procedures and become members of the American Academy of Neurology.
What are the different types of neurologist subspecialties?
Neurology, a highly specialized medical discipline, encompasses diverse subspecialties, allowing neurologists to concentrate on specific categories within nervous system disorders. These subspecialties ensure that patients receive targeted expertise and comprehensive care tailored to their unique requirements. The following sentences outline some key neurology subspecialties:
- Neurodevelopmental disabilities: This subspecialty dedicates itself to managing childhood disorders, focusing on cognitive impairments. Neurologists in this field provide specialized care for conditions related to special senses, language, and movement disorders.
- Child neurology: Child neurologists play a crucial role in identifying, addressing, and managing nervous system issues in children from birth to adulthood. It involves considering behavioral and psychological aspects and utilizing various diagnostic tests, such as blood tests, lumbar punctures, and computed tomography (CT) scans, to ensure accurate diagnosis.
- Autonomic disorders: Neurologists in this subspecialty address issues related to the autonomic nervous system, focusing on understanding and managing problems affecting the regulation of vital bodily functions, including body temperature, digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure.
- Neuromuscular medicine: For patients dealing with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and myasthenia gravis, neurologists in this field provide comprehensive care and management.
- Vascular neurology: Neurologists within this subspecialty evaluate, study, and treat diseases affecting blood vessels' structure and function. Patients, especially those experiencing strokes, benefit from the specialized attention and treatments provided by vascular neurologists.
What is the difference between a neurologist and a neurosurgeon?
A neurologist is similar to a neurosurgeon in that both specialists diagnose and treat neurological disorders associated with the brain and spinal cord. However, the critical difference is that neurologists do not perform surgery. Instead, they focus on conducting tests and providing noninvasive treatments such as medication, immunotherapies, rehabilitation techniques, and other nonsurgical therapies that improve the quality of life for people with chronic diseases.
Neurosurgeons perform surgeries and also provide non-operative treatment methods. If you have a problem that requires surgical treatment, a neurologist or a physician may refer you to a neurosurgeon. A neurosurgeon removes brain tumors, spinal tumors, and blood clots and treats chronic back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and aneurysms. They also stop internal brain bleeding or hemorrhages and perform shunt insertion.
What standard tests do neurologists perform?
At your appointment, you can expect a neurologist to ask about your medical history, symptoms you've been experiencing, and any health conditions in your family. After this, they may test your coordination, balance, sensory responses, and muscle strength. Here are some standard tests performed by neurologists:
- Electroencephalography (EEG) measures the brain's electrical activity and helps diagnose epilepsy-associated seizures. This test can also check the progress of Alzheimer's, brain injuries, and tumors.
- Electromyography (EMG) test evaluates muscle and nerve function. The provider will insert a tiny needle into the muscles, which helps to record muscle activity—this test diagnoses motor neuron conditions like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
- Angiography detects blood clots and aneurysms. It shows blood vessels and helps determine whether they are blocked, damaged, or abnormal.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis detects a brain bleed (hemorrhage), infections, and multiple sclerosis. This procedure is a spinal tap or lumbar puncture, where a provider inserts a thin needle into the back to remove cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the spinal cord and brain.
- Evoked potentials help to find nerve damage. They capture the electrical signals in the brain and how quickly nerve signals reach the brain. This test can diagnose multiple sclerosis, acoustic neuroma, and spinal cord injury.
How do you prepare for a visit to the neurologist?
Preparing for a visit to a neurologist can be stressful, mainly if you're dealing with symptoms that impact your everyday routine. However, with some preparation, you can make the most out of your appointment with the best neurologist near you.
The first step in preparing for a neurologist is to collect all your medical records and documents. It includes any previous test results, imaging studies, and medical history. It is essential to bring a list of all medications and supplements you currently take.
You should also prepare a list of questions you want to ask the neurologist. It will help you stay focused during the appointment and get all the necessary information.
It is also essential to describe your symptoms in detail. Note when your symptoms began, what triggers them, how often they occur, and what makes them better or worse. The neurologist will need this information to make an accurate diagnosis.
Finally, dress comfortably for the appointment and allow plenty of time to get to the clinic or hospital. Arriving on time can give you time to complete the necessary paperwork and relax before the meeting.
Practical tips to keep your brain healthy
Have you ever wondered if there are ways to maintain proper brain function even as you age? Well, many lifestyle and diet changes can help you do so! Read the following tips and talk to your doctor about incorporating them into your life:
- Exercise regularly: Routine 30-60 minute exercise sessions improve blood circulation in the brain, delivering ample oxygen and necessary nutrients. They also keep brain cells healthy and promote new neuron growth. Moreover, physical activity controls blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and stress levels, ultimately positively impacting your brain.
- Get good sleep: Getting 7-9 hours of high-quality sleep every night can maintain brain function and memory. It also improves your mood and prevents conditions such as depression that impact brain health.
- Eat brain-healthy foods: Certain foods, such as leafy vegetables, broccoli, fatty fish, eggs, berries, nuts, seeds, and dark chocolate, are linked with brain health. So, make sure to incorporate them into your diet.
- Engage your brain: Give your brain a much-needed workout by solving crossword puzzles, reading, learning a new skill, or playing chess.
- Avoid addictions: Unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or taking drugs can deteriorate your brain over time. If you have any such addictions, it's time to rethink your choices and quit them today. Remember that you can always seek help from a doctor if you struggle with giving up your habits.
How can you find the best neurologist near you in Indianapolis, Indiana?
Minor headaches and forgetfulness are common issues, but severe headaches, balance problems, difficulty speaking, confusion, or frequent memory lapses may indicate underlying neurological disorders. If left untreated, these conditions can pose life-threatening risks over time. Therefore, if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should consider seeing a neurologist immediately.
Finding the best neurologist can be a tricky and tedious task. However, platforms like Zocdoc make finding specialists in your area more accessible. If you reside in Indianapolis and want to book an online or in-person meeting with an experienced neurologist, visit the Zocdoc website, enter your condition, location, insurance carrier, and plan, and click "Find." Your search results should display a list of neurologists, which you can filter by gender and other criteria.
Zocdoc believes in transparency and allows users to make an informed decision by providing each doctor's medical background, clinical training, and certifications. Besides this, depending on your provider's availability, you can also schedule appointments 24 hours in advance, on the same day, or after hours, i.e., after 5 pm. You can also check whether your selected provider is in-network, i.e., whether they accept your insurance or not, by choosing your insurance plan and carrier from the drop-down menu at the top of the page.
If you cannot find your particular health plan, you can use the Zocdoc insurance detector feature. Follow these easy steps: Click a high-resolution image of your insurance card > Go to your Zocdoc account settings > Scroll down to the insurance section > Upload the image > Wait for Zocdoc to scan it > Receive your desired results > Add the information in the search bar and go on with your search of neurologists near you. Do you need help uploading the image? Contact our support team. Are you afraid about the security of your personal information? Rest assured that Zocdoc follows the best data protection and privacy practices. Do you have any more insurance-related questions? Visit our patient help center page.
All bookings on Zocdoc are fast, free, and secure!
Prevalence of neurological disorders in Indiana
Indiana employs about 90 neurologists, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in May 2023. This number is low compared to states such as New York, New Jersey, and Texas, and the location quotient is also lower than the national average.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports show that Indiana has over 69,500 cases of epilepsy. Out of these, over 10,600 cases belong to the age group of 0 to 18, and nearly 60,000 cases belong to individuals over 18.
Alzheimer's is one of the leading causes of death in Indiana, besides heart disease, stroke, and cancer, as revealed in the 2017 Indiana Mortality Report.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 121,000 people over 65 years living in Indiana have Alzheimer's disease. Nearly 11.2% of the population aged 45 and above are going through a subjective cognitive decline.
The American Cancer Society approximates that at least 500 new brain and nervous system cancer cases will be reported in Indiana in 2024. In addition, brain and nervous system cancer incidence was higher in males (8.0) than in females (5.6).
The CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions states that over 105,915 citizens residing in Indiana suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and, as a result, live with long-term disabilities. Each year, it records nearly 44,000 emergency department visits, 5,600 hospitalizations, and almost 1000 deaths due to TBI.
Sources
Healthline
RUSH
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
American Academy of Neurology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Alzheimer's Association
State of Indiana
Cancer Statistics Center
CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions
WebMD
Verywell Health
University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester
Harvard Medical School
Medical News Today
