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Who are neurologists?

Neurologists are medical experts who specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and managing conditions and issues related to the nervous system. This intricate system includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves and governs everything from movement to thoughts and sensations. 

Neurologists hold expertise in treating various conditions, including:

• Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disorder that causes cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and memory loss and ultimately leads to impairing daily functioning.

• Epilepsy: Epilepsy or seizure disorder is marked by recurrent seizures due to abnormal brain activity, affecting sensations, behavior, and consciousness. Doctors can prescribe medicines or even surgery to treat the seizures in those with epilepsy.

• Migraine: Migraine causes severe headaches, often with pulsating pain, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, vomiting, and sometimes visual disturbances. A migraine attack can continue for hours to days together.

• Parkinson's: This progressive nervous system disorder impairs movement and causes tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination due to damage to the brain's dopamine-producing nerve cells.

• Stroke: A stroke generally occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. It leads to brain cell damage, potentially causing paralysis, speech difficulties, or cognitive impairments. Immediate medical attention is critical.

Neurologists diagnose these and other nervous system-related conditions through detailed examinations and advanced technologies, such as imaging scans, and develop treatment plans involving medications, therapies, or procedures.

Regarding qualifications, neurologists undergo extensive training. After attending medical school for four years, they complete their residency, consisting of internal medicine or pediatrics training for a year, followed by three years of neurology training. They can also go for subspecialty training for 1-3 years.

Few subspecialties of neurology

Neurology subspecialties include pediatric or child neurology, neurodevelopmental disabilities, pain medicine, palliative care neurology, vascular neurology, autonomic disorders, brain injury medicine, epilepsy, and neuro-oncology. Here is a few brief overview of some of these:

Pediatric neurology

Doctors specializing in this field work with children with neurological conditions. The doctors are trained to address the needs of children from birth to age 18. They treat any disease related to the brain and nervous system, where some conditions might be congenital or the result of trauma. Some conditions are muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, and Tourette's syndrome in children. 

Some specialists can also choose to specialize in specific areas instead of practicing general pediatric neurology, like autism, complex metabolic disorders, nerve diseases, and malformations. You should see a pediatric neurologist near you if the child suffers from the following conditions:

• Poor balance
• Loss of consciousness                                          
• Memory loss
• Pain
• Problems moving around                                          
• Tremors
• Developmental delays
• Seizures

Autonomic disorders

Doctors specializing in this field deal with Autonomic Nervous systems (ANS) and their conditions. The ANS in our body controls essential functions like heart rate, body temperature, breathing rate, digestion, and sensation. It connects the brain and other body parts like the heart, liver, skin, and sweat glands. 

Autonomic Disorders are caused when the ANS nerves are damaged. The conditions can range from mild to life-threatening. While some diseases can be temporary and reversible, others can be long-term and continue to worsen over time. Some of the symptoms of autonomic disorders are:

• Dizziness or fainting upon standing
• Digestive difficulties such as diarrhea, constipation, or difficulty in swallowing
• Urinary problems
• Sweating abnormalities like sweating too much or not sweating enough
• Vision problems like blurry vision

Autonomic disorders can form due to underlying diseases; therefore, the doctor will first check for illnesses that might be causing the problems and get them under control as soon as possible.

Neurodevelopmental disorder

Doctors specializing in this field treat conditions caused by alteration of neurological development, which affects the social, cognitive, and emotional functioning of the person suffering. These disorders usually start surfacing during a child's development phase. While sometimes the child might outgrow the disorder, it can continue in adulthood.

The two most common neurodevelopmental disorders are autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD). There can be different types of neurodevelopmental disorders. Some of the most common are attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), cerebral palsy, communication disorder, conduct disorder, intellectual disabilities, learning disorders, and neurodevelopmental motor diseases. These diseases are more common in males than females due to the genetic difference between the two genders.

Although the causes of NDs are still unclear, there are various possible reasons, like environment and biology playing a role. Factors like stress, trauma, or illness can trigger changes in genetics and hormones. Early childhood experiences like trauma, toxic environment, and neglect are risks for developing NDs. The disorders can also develop due to factors like obesity or diabetes in the pregnant mother. 

Some common symptoms of NDs are impairment in memory, language, behavior, motor skills, learning, speech, social skills, and emotions. Doctors employ the following to manage such conditions and issues:

• Behavioral therapy: Therapies such as applied behavioral therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and developmental therapy benefit ND symptoms.

• Transcranial magnetic stimulation: The treatment is commonly used for depression, but research suggests it benefits those with NDs. It improved the social functioning and behavior of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

• Medication: To manage symptoms like agitation, hyperactivity, and inattentiveness, doctors can suggest stimulants, antidepressants, or other medicines that enhance cognition. Medication, however, is one of many choices for treatments. Specialists prefer therapies and parenting routines for children before administering medication to the treatment.

• Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): Complementary and alternative (CAM) medicines, such as health supplements and mind/body practices such as acupuncture and yoga, are used along with medication. Nutrition and physical exercise also play a role in managing symptoms.

Tests and procedures performed by neurologists

Neurologists use different tests and procedures to find and treat problems related to the nervous system. Some of the standard procedures include the following:

• Electroencephalogram (EEG): Neurologists perform the EEG test to measure, record, and analyze the electrical activity in the brain. It helps them track brain wave patterns to identify abnormal electrical activity. EEG helps diagnose conditions like coma, sleeping problems, brain tumors, seizures, and epilepsy. Neurologists place electrodes on a patient’s head and observe and record the readings on the computer.

• Electromyography (EMG): Neurologists use EMG to ascertain how a patient's muscles respond to electrical stimulation from motor neurons, the nerves in charge of muscle movement. In this procedure, a technician inserts electrodes (tiny needles) into the muscle and records the electrical activity in the muscle tissue. They may also perform a nerve conduction study (NCV) to assess a person's response to superficial electric stimulation by measuring the nerve activity. These tests help to diagnose neuromuscular disorders like ALS.

• Lumbar puncture: In this procedure, a neurologist inserts and collects a sample of spinal fluid with a lumbar puncture to help diagnose conditions like bleeding in the brain, dementia, leukemia, and inflammation of the spinal cord. They may also use it to treat conditions that affect the spinal cord. Moreover, neurologists can use the needle to inject antibiotics, anesthetics, or cancer treatments.

• Tensilon test: Neurologists use Tensilon tests to diagnose myasthenia gravis, a rare neuromuscular disease that weakens the arms and legs muscles. They inject a small amount of Tensilon into the bloodstream and observe the patient as they instruct them to perform different movements. After that, they determine if the strength improves, and if they feel their strength returning, it means they have the disease.

When should you see a neurologist?

If you experience any neurological symptoms, seeing a neurologist as soon as possible is essential. This is because neurological conditions can be severe and potentially life-threatening. Some common signs that may warrant seeing a neurologist include the following:

• Severe headaches or migraines
• Frequent dizzying spells or vertigo
• Vision problems
• Numbness or tingling in the extremities
• Weakness or paralysis in any part of the body
• Difficulty speaking or swallowing
• Changes in mood or behavior

Visiting the best neurologist near you will save time, effort, and money by providing efficient care, reducing travel, and ensuring optimal treatment, potentially minimizing medical expenses in the long run.

How do you prepare for an appointment, and what do you expect? 

Sometimes, your primary care physician may refer you to a neurologist. What can you expect during your appointment? How can you prepare? Here is what you need to know. Your neurologist will ask about your medical history and symptoms to understand your condition better. Be prepared to answer questions such as:

• When did your symptoms start?
• Do you experience symptoms on and off, or are they constantly present?
• What aggravates or relieves your symptoms? 
• What other health conditions do you have?
• Do any family members have neurological disorders?

The more information you can provide, the better. Your neurologist will also likely perform a physical exam to help them rule out other potential causes of your symptoms. What can you expect during this visit? Here is a rundown of what will probably happen:

• After a thorough clinical examination, your neurologist will likely perform a physical exam, including tests of your reflexes, muscle strength, and sensation.
• You may also undergo cognitive testing to assess memory and problem-solving skills. 
• Depending on the results of these tests, the neurologist may order additional imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan.
• Once all the test results are in, the neurologist will make a diagnosis and curate a treatment plan. This may involve medication, physical therapy, or other interventions.

How to find the best neurologist near you in Miami?

People with neurological disorders require special attention and routine visits to the doctor when it comes to treatment. Frequent visits to doctors and therapists make booking appointments and getting the right doctors more hectic. Zocdoc provides a one-stop solution to the problem. With top-rated neurologists on board, it provides you with the best treatment.

Visit the Zocdoc website and enter your symptoms, location, and preferred date and time. The platform will direct you to thousands of qualified neurologists meeting your criteria. Utilize the insurance feature to effortlessly confirm if your provider accepts your insurance, ensuring cost-effective healthcare. You can update your Zocdoc account's insurance information or click and upload a picture of your insurance card on the smartphone app. You can also choose your plan from the search filters to find neurologists within your insurance network. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more insurance-related FAQs.

Moreover, Zocdoc maintains transparency regarding the credibility of the doctors by providing you with all the relevant information about them, like their educational background, experience in the field, board certifications, etc. It also allows you to go through the public ratings and reviews of the doctor before you consult one.

Can't make it to the provider's office? Zocdoc has you covered! Before making in-person visits, you can book virtual consultations with the best neurologist near you. Just use the purple icon on their profiles.

With Zocdoc, you can also book appointments anytime and from anywhere without any hassle. All bookings on Zocdoc are easy, secure, and 100% free!

Statistics of neurological disorders in Miami, Florida

As per the Pan American Health Organization reports, in 2019, there were around 533,172 deaths due to neurological conditions, of which about 213,129 were men while 320,043 were women. It also states that nearly 7.5 million people suffer premature mortality due to neurological disorders. The USA has the highest number of premature mortalities globally due to neurological conditions.

According to the Florida Health Department's statistics, there are almost 366,263 cases of active epilepsy in Florida. In 2020, approximately 15,782 people were hospitalized due to epilepsy listed as their principal diagnosis, and 96,545 were hospitalized with epilepsy listed as a diagnosis.

Sources

MedicalNewsToday

Healthline

Pan American Health Organization

VerywellMind

Florida Health

Rush

WebMD

Cleveland Clinic

Mayo Clinic[1]

Mayo Clinic[2]

Mayo Clinic[3]

Mayo Clinic[4]

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.