Who is a neurologist?
A neurologist is a medical specialist who focuses on diagnosing and treating problems related to the brain, spinal cord, muscles, and nervous system. Neurologists are not surgeons—they only diagnose and treat ailments. A neurologist can recommend surgery and monitor patients who have undergone surgery. Examples of neurological conditions include Parkinson's, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. People suffering from frequent migraines and headaches can also benefit from consultations with a neurologist.
Primary care physicians commonly refer patients to neurologists. The reference happens when the primary doctor suspects that problems with the nervous system or the brain have caused specific symptoms or conditions. For instance, a neurologist might don the role of a consultant and advise the primary care physician if the patient has had a stroke or concussion.
Research by the WHO has found that COVID-19 can cause neurological disorders even in people who have no respiratory distress as a symptom. Another study concurred with these findings and found that myalgia, fatigue, weakened senses of smell and taste, and headaches persisted in many patients long after the infection abated. At least 30% of all patients surveyed experienced neurological issues, with about 1 in 50 suffering from strokes.
Chronic pain, numbness, dizziness, tingling sensation, and unexplained weakness are reasons you might want to schedule a neurologist appointment at the earliest.
What conditions do neurologists treat?
Neurologists specialize in treating neurological conditions from minor issues to chronic problems. Some of the conditions they manage include stroke, epilepsy, brain aneurysms, and peripheral neuropathy. They also treat sleep disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and neuromuscular disorders like muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Neurologists can handle infections of the nervous system, such as encephalitis, meningitis, and HIV. In some cases, they evaluate hospitalized patients who have undergone surgery or experienced a medical issue if they develop new symptoms, such as seizures or altered levels of consciousness. These neurological evaluations are essential for determining a patient's prognosis and the chances of recovery from serious illnesses.
Education and training required to become a neurologist
After completing four years of college, students must attend medical school for another four years. After medical school, they need to complete a one-year internship in neurology. This is followed by a three-year residency in neurology. Some neurologists choose to specialize further, which may require an additional three years of fellowship training.
Subspecialties in neurology
Neurology is a vast subject with subspecialties that address specific conditions, children, or relate to some parts of the body. Some of these are:
- Pediatric neurology or child neurology: A neurologist specializes in neurological conditions affecting adolescents, children, and infants. Most such patients have ailments like brain or spinal cord disorders and diseases affecting the muscle and peripheral nerves. Cerebral palsy, migraines, and degenerative or metabolic disorders in this age group warrant the expertise of a pediatric neurologist.
- Brain injury medicine: As the term suggests, this type of neurologist specializes in patients with brain injury. This subspecialty encompasses the prevention, treatment, and recovery of patients. These doctors offer advanced care for patients with brain injuries in a hospital setting and after discharge to ensure positive outcomes.
- Clinical neurophysiology: Neurologists focus on diagnosing and managing different nervous system disorders using various techniques and tools. Neurologists evaluate patients using tests like electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), and nerve conduction studies (NCS).
- Epilepsy: Neurologists who specialize in epilepsy are known as epileptologists. They are qualified to evaluate and treat adults and children who have epilepsy. This type of neurologist can deal with seizure disorders also.
What is the difference between neurosurgeons and neurologists?
Both neurologists and neurosurgeons treat conditions related to the nervous system, but their roles differ significantly. Neurosurgeons perform surgery, while neurologists focus on non-surgical treatments.
Neurosurgeons complete medical school, followed by a residency in neurosurgery, which typically includes a year of general surgery internship and an additional 6–8 years of specialized neurosurgery training. All neurosurgeons can operate on the brain and spine, with some choosing to specialize in more advanced procedures.
General practitioners usually refer patients to a neurologist or a neurosurgeon. Sometimes, a neurologist may refer a patient to a neurosurgeon if surgery is needed. In contrast, a neurosurgeon might refer a patient to a neurologist if ongoing neurological management is required.
What types of tests do neurologists typically prescribe?
Neurologic tests commonly prescribed by neurologists encompass a variety of procedures:
- Angiography: This involves imaging to examine the blood vessels in the neck, brain, or head for signs of blockages, damage, or abnormalities, revealing conditions such as aneurysms or blood clots.
- Biopsy: This procedure entails extracting a tissue sample from the body, often from muscle, nerve, or brain tissue.
- Cerebrospinal fluid analysis: This test involves obtaining a test sample of the fluid around the spinal cord and brain. It aims to identify indications of conditions like brain bleeding, infections, multiple sclerosis, and metabolic diseases.
- Imaging techniques: These include Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), X-rays, and ultrasound.
- Electroencephalography (EEG): This measures the electrical activity in the brain, aiding in the diagnosis of seizures, infections (such as encephalitis), brain injuries, and tumors.
- Electromyography (EMG): Recording the electrical activity in muscles aids in diagnosing spinal nerve root compression, nerve and muscle disorders, and motor neuron disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This diagnostic technique is beneficial for assessing muscle and nerve function conditions.
- Electronystagmography (ENG): This set of tests diagnoses involuntary eye movement, dizziness, and balance disorders.
- Evoked potentials: This test gauges the speed and completeness of electrical signals traveling from the eyes, ears, or touch on the skin to the brain, aiding in diagnosing conditions such as multiple sclerosis, acoustic neuroma, and spinal cord injuries.
- Myelography: This diagnostic tool helps identify spinal and spinal cord tumors, herniated disks, and fractures.
- Polysomnogram: This test observes brain and body activity during sleep, facilitating the diagnosis of sleep disorders.
- Positron emission tomography (PET): This imaging test can detect tumors and help evaluate conditions such as epilepsy, brain tumors, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.
- Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT): This imaging test aids in diagnosing tumor infections and provides insights into the location of seizures, degenerative spine disease, and stress fractures.
- Thermography: This test measures temperature changes in the body or specific organs, and evaluates pain syndromes, peripheral nerve disorders, and nerve root compression.
What happens during your initial visit to a neurologist?
A neurological examination comprises muscle power, memory, eye health and vision, and coordination tests. These tests typically don't hurt, but they could be slightly uncomfortable.
During your first visit with the best neurologist near you, they may:
- Inquire about any symptoms and current or previous conditions or medications.
- Examine the posture, walking, ease of movement, and balance to look for any visible neurological symptoms.
- Measure the pulse and blood pressure and listen to the lungs and heart's performance during the physical examination.
- Inquire about bowel movements and passing of urine to assess how well the autonomic nervous system is functioning.
Following this initial examination, the neurologist may carry out several tests, including:
- Cranial nerve tests: These check the health of the brain's nerves, which can impact the senses. They also include eye tests, where people recognize specific sentences, letters, or numbers.
- Coordination and motor skills tests: The neurologist may ask the patient to spin around, move their limbs in a certain way, tap their fingers, or write as part of a coordination and motor skills test. Another method is to test someone's reflexes by tapping their knee to see how they react.
- Cognitive ability tests: To test the patient's memory, the neurologist may ask them about their job, the date, or the season. Tests in math and language can also measure concentration. If a patient exhibits cognitive impairment during the neurological evaluation, the neurologist may also administer non-standard cognitive tests such as mini-mental state examination (MMSE) or the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
- Sensation tests: The neurologist may assess the patient's ability to react to stimuli such as touching warm or cold water-filled containers or soft fabric.
The results of these tests will help the neurologist determine if there is a problem. In the event of a medical condition, they will recommend further examinations or suggest medications and the course of treatment.
How should I get ready for my first neurology appointment?
Being prepared to gain the most from your appointment with the best neurologist near you is essential. There are several ways to do this:
- Prepare a checklist outlining the key topics you wish to discuss with your neurologist during your appointment.
- Document and provide information about any allergies you are aware of.
- Include copies of pertinent test results, including images on a CD and any lab work prescribed by healthcare professionals other than your neurologist.
- Compile a list of all medications you presently take, encompassing prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal supplements, and dietary products.
- Inform your neurologist about previous treatments that proved ineffective or caused undesirable side effects.
- Notify them about any changes to your overall health.
- Inform them if you are experiencing new symptoms or changes to old ones.
Choose the best neurologist in Phoenix, AZ
Neurological issues are often sidelined and considered less important than other medical ailments. This is far from true, and getting help for your neurological problems from a qualified professional at the right time can greatly impact the quality of your life. At Zocdoc, we aim to connect you with the best physicians in your area and help elevate your healthcare experience.
You can search our database of neurologists using various filters to find the best one for your requirements. Add criteria such as insurance provider and location to your search query for precise results. Book your appointments only after you have done due diligence using the information we have on the providers on your list.
If you need assistance finding neurologists who accept your insurance, our online patient support center is here to help. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, but you can only have one plan per appointment.
For those with multiple insurance plans, you can add your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes. Alternatively, if your healthcare provider uses Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can enter your secondary insurance information directly into the form.
There is no obligation to pick the first neurologist on the search list. Click on individual profiles to learn about their qualifications, experience, specialties, and more. You will also see verified patient reviews on the shapes. This can help you get an idea of what to expect if you decide to pick that particular doctor.
Schedule an appointment only when fully informed and decide which neurologist best fits your needs. Booking in-person or video appointments with neurologists near you through Zocdoc is secure, safe, and free!
Neurological disorders in Phoenix
Arizona has received recognition for its efforts in promoting pre-hospital injury care as a means of addressing and managing rates of traumatic brain injury (TBI). As part of this initiative, statewide data about such damages was collected and compiled.
As per the State Trauma Advisory Board 2021 Annual Report published by the Arizona Department of Health Services, in 2020, over 31% of trauma patients had TBI, with infants under one leading the list. About half of these TBIs were in patients who suffered an injury from abuse, while accidents involving motor vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists followed closely. It was 50% for the former while the latter was 44%. For about 10% of patients, major head injuries proved fatal.
Epilepsy is another neurological disorder commonly seen in children and adults. Statistics show that around 11,000 children in Arizona have active epilepsy. These figures underline the role that qualified neurologists have to play in patient care.
Sources
WebMD
American Academy of Neurology
Cleveland Clinic
World Health Organization
Association of American Medical Colleges
Arizona Department of Health Services
Phoenix Children's
MedicalNewsToday
