Who are neurologists?
A neurologist specializes in brain and spinal cord illnesses, peripheral nerves (nerves connecting the brain and spine to the lungs and liver), and muscles. Examples include epilepsy, headaches, stroke, movement problems such as tremors or Parkinson's disease, and many other neurological diseases.
While some neurologists specialize in a particular field, such as movement problems or neuromuscular disease, others practice general neurology.
What does a neurologist do?
Neurologists are experts in identifying and treating various conditions, including but not limited to Parkinson's disease and brain tumors. Although they don't conduct surgical procedures, they can help you comprehend your condition better and recommend a neurosurgeon when necessary. Your neurologist will likely perform various tests to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. To help with this procedure, they will inquire about your symptoms and medical history. Therefore, it's advisable to note any relevant health information before your appointment and prepare a list of questions to ask during the consultation.
What are the education and training requirements of a neurologist?
Like other physicians, neurologists undergo medical school training. However, they also need to complete the following requirements:
- One-year internship in internal medicine
- Three-year residency program focused on neurology
- An optional additional one to two years of specialized training in a particular area of neurology, such as epilepsy or peripheral neuropathy
Moreover, neurologists must pass a written exam administered by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology to be licensed to practice.
What subspecialties can neurologists pursue?
Neurologists can specialize in one or more of the following areas:
- Child neurology
- Clinical neurophysiology
- Endovascular surgical neuroradiology
- Hospice and palliative medicine
- Neurodevelopmental disabilities
- Neuromuscular medicine
- Pain medicine
- Sleep medicine
- Vascular neurology
What procedures do neurologists perform?
Neurologists perform various medical procedures for diagnostic purposes, including:
- Lumbar puncture: This procedure involves your neurologist collecting a sample of your spinal fluid, which helps them diagnose illnesses like encephalitis, meningitis, dementia, leukemia, and different autoimmune diseases. They can also use a lumbar puncture needle to treat spinal cord conditions by injecting anesthetics and antibiotics.
- Tensilon test: Tensilon (the brand name of the drug edrophonium) stops the breakdown of acetylcholine, an essential neurotransmitter for muscle movement. Neurologists use a Tensilon test to diagnose myasthenia gravis, a rare neuromuscular disease that weakens your arm and leg muscles. During the test, they inject a small amount of the drug into your bloodstream, ask you to perform various movements, and assess your muscle strength. They will continue administering doses of Tensilon every time you feel tired. If your strength returns to normal after every dosage, your neurologist might diagnose you with myasthenia gravis.
- Electromyography (EMG): Neurologists inspect how well your muscles respond to motor neuron stimulation (nerves controlling muscle movement). During an EMG, your doctor will insert tiny needles into your muscles. These needles (called electrodes) record electrical activity in your muscle tissue. This test helps doctors diagnose neuromuscular disorders.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG): Neurologists use EEG to measure electrical activity in your brain and track brain wave patterns. During the procedure, a technician will place electrodes on your head. The electrodes connect to a computer, which converts electrical signals into patterns the technician records for further assessment. This test can help diagnose medical conditions like seizures, epilepsy, brain tumors, etc.
Additionally, neurologists might also order the following tests to get a more comprehensive view of your symptoms before making a diagnosis:
- Biopsy
- Angiography
- Blood and urine analyses
- Imaging tests like CT, MRI, and PET scans
Top 10 reasons for consulting a neurologist
Following are the reasons for consulting a neurologist to recover from nerve disorders or severe nerve problems:
We've all had headaches at some point in our lives. It is due to various ailments, ranging from a sinus infection to a throbbing toothache following a dental visit. Vomiting, a more intense or persistent headache, a sudden headache, or a headache exacerbated by strain, a headache that starts early in the morning, vision changes, or even seizures are all symptoms of more severe headaches, including migraines. If your headache symptoms are severe, the primary care physician may recommend you to a neurologist.
Pain that remains for months or years is chronic. An illness can cause this discomfort, but it could signify something else if it lasts longer than the average healing time. Suppose your primary care physician cannot help you manage your pain. You may want to consult a neurologist, especially if you are experiencing other symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or bladder or bowel control issues.
Dizziness can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Dizziness is a vertigo or disequilibrium symptom that neurologists treat. Vertigo makes you feel like you or everything around you is spinning, while disequilibrium causes you to lose balance. The primary care physician can assist you in determining whether your dizziness is severe enough to warrant a visit to a neurologist.
Numbness or tingling can occur for various causes, including just sitting in a position that restricts blood flow or not eating. If the numbness persists, comes on unexpectedly, or affects one side of the body, one should consult a neurologist. Numbness or tingling symptoms similar to those mentioned can also be signals of a stroke, in which case you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible. While your primary care physician will assist you in evaluating these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately if you believe you are experiencing a stroke.
Feelings of weakness that require medical attention are distinct from exhaustion or muscular aches following a long climb or excessive weight lifting. You should see your doctor if you suffer muscle weakness affecting your daily activities or need a quick reduction in muscle strength, especially in your arms and legs. It is triggered by a more severe nerve system problem or disease, such as a stroke.
Problems with mobility, such as trouble walking, clumsiness, involuntary jerks or motions, and tremors, might be signs of a nervous system disorder. If these movement problems interfere with your everyday life, you should consult a neurologist, but a tremor might be a medication or worry side effect. You should visit a neurologist if your tremors interfere with your daily activities.
Seizures range from almost undetectable to life-threatening. Strokes can cause anything from jerking movements of the arms and legs to loss of consciousness, breathing difficulties, and bewilderment. While low blood sugar or withdrawal from addictive substances may induce some seizures, you should visit your doctor if they happen suddenly or for no apparent reason.
Aging or the neurological system can both contribute to vision problems. If the problem appears suddenly and in both eyes, you should have your vision checked. An eye doctor or a primary care physician can help you determine whether or not you need to see a neurologist for your visual problem.
- Confusion or memory issues
Speech problems, severe memory problems, personality changes, and disorientation are all symptoms caused by abnormalities or problems in the brain, spine, or nerves. Some symptoms could result from learning difficulties or a disease like Alzheimer's. Your primary care doctor can guide you in evaluating your symptoms and determining whether you need to see a neurologist.
While there are many apparent causes of sleep issues, such as staying up too late, having a condition such as sleep apnea or anxiety, nightmares, or others, other sleep disorders are neurological abnormalities. Narcolepsy, for example, is a chronic, hereditary illness with no known origin that affects the body's central nervous system. Many of these symptoms are caused by something other than a neurological condition. Your primary care physician (PCP) is your best resource for determining whether or not to see a neurologist. However, if the symptoms are severe or you are still unsure about your primary care doctor's suggestions, you may need to see a neurologist.
What to expect from the neurologist?
Getting an accurate diagnosis is essential while receiving appropriate treatment for neurological conditions. Choosing the best neurologist near you can help you ensure this. Neurologists utilize several tools to help them diagnose the problem, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography Scans (CAT), Electroencephalography, Cerebral Spinal Fluid analysis, and Electromyography. These tests provide insights into various aspects of an individual's health, including reflexes, coordination, cognitive function, and sensitivity to touch. Identifying issues with any of these areas can be a vital indicator of an underlying problem.
Following a diagnosis, the neurologist will develop a specific course of action and treatment plan based on the test results. While many neurological difficulties can be treated with medicine and physical therapy, some may necessitate more extensive treatment, including referral to a neurosurgeon if the disease is severe.
Top brain-boosting foods
The brain consumes approximately 20% of the body's daily calories. Therefore, fueling it with proper nutrients is crucial to maintain focus throughout the day.
The brain requires specific nutrients to stay healthy. The following are the best foods for brain function.
- Berries: Many berries, such as blueberries and strawberries, contain flavonoid antioxidants, contributing to their brain-boosting properties. These antioxidants minimize inflammation and oxidative stress, thereby preserving brain cells from harm. Essential berry antioxidants include anthocyanin, caffeic acid, catechin, and quercetin.
- Coffee: Known for enhancing concentration, caffeine blocks adenosine, a brain chemical that induces drowsiness. Studies show that caffeine increases brain entropy, allowing for more complex brain activity and better information processing. Additionally, coffee's antioxidants help support brain health, especially as one ages.
- Nuts and seeds: They are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants; nuts and seeds support brain health. They have a high concentration of vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects cells from free radical-induced oxidation. As the brain ages, vitamin E may help prevent cognitive decline. Sunflower seeds, almonds, and hazelnuts are exceptionally high in vitamin E.
- Oily fish: These fish provide omega-3 fatty acids, essential for building membranes around every cell in the body, including brain cells. Omega-3s enhance the structure of neurons, improving brain cell function. Some examples of omega-3-rich oily fish include salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines. Plant-based sources of omega-3s, such as soybeans, nuts, flaxseed, and other seeds, also offer brain health benefits.
- Dark chocolate: Dark chocolate, rich in cocoa or cacao, contains flavonoids, a potent type of antioxidant. Since oxidative stress can harm the brain, accelerating cognitive decline and the onset of neurological diseases, these antioxidants are vital for maintaining brain health.
- Whole grains: They are another excellent source of vitamin E, which contributes to brain health. Whole-grain options include brown rice, barley, bulgur wheat, oatmeal, whole-grain bread, and whole-grain pasta.
- Eggs: Eggs are a popular breakfast choice. They are packed with B vitamins like folic acid and B-6 and B-12, which are essential for brain function and may help delay cognitive decline.
Find the best neurologist near you in Los Angeles, California
Knowing and acknowledging your neural symptoms is the first step toward recovery. The next step is to find a neurologist with whom you can share a rapport. Zocdoc can help you search for top-rated neurologists in your neighborhood near Los Angeles. At Zocdoc, we care deeply about the relationship between a patient and their provider.
With Zocdoc, you can easily find a high-quality neurologist in Los Angeles in just a few clicks. You can also easily find neurologists in your vicinity or your insurance network.
You can use the Zocdoc insurance detector to get more information about your insurance plan. Type your insurance company's name into the search query to use this function. You can submit a picture of your insurance card if Zocdoc does not have your medical insurance plan listed. After automatically analyzing the image, Zocdoc will show you the strategy most likely to be used. Please be aware that dental or vision insurance cards cannot be used for this service. If you run into any problems uploading the image, please get in touch with Zocdoc's support team. If you have any additional questions about insurance, you may also contact the patient Help Center at Zocdoc.
At Zocdoc, we care deeply about the doctor-patient relationship. Verified reviews are another way of making an informed choice. Finally, if you're worried about the budget, we can help you find the best neurologist near you in Los Angeles who is also in-network. Select your insurance company and plan from the website's drop-down menu to do so.
You can book both in-person and online sessions via Zocdoc. While browsing the list of doctors matching your criteria, look for a purple video icon beside their name. The presence of this icon indicates that the doctor offers virtual consultations.
Bookings on Zocdoc are safe, easy, and 100% free!
Prevalence of stroke in California
As per the data released by the American Heart Association, stroke is California's third leading cause of death. As per the quantitative data, stroke (6.1%) and Alzheimer's (6.1%) were among the most significant contributing causes of death in 2017. Approximately 16,355 residents died of a stroke in California. In addition, about 2.2% of adults residing in California have reported having a stroke, compared to around 3% of adults in the United States who have reported having a stroke.
Sources
WebMD
Rush University Medical Center
Jain University
The University of Utah
American Heart Association
Medical News Today[1]
Medical News Today[2]
American Academy of Neurology
