What does a neurologist do?
A neurologist trains in diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain, spine, and nervous system. Neurologists do not perform surgeries. It takes four years of pre-med education, medical school, a year-long internship, and a neurology residency of at least three years to qualify as a neurologist in the US. Some neurologists also complete a three-year fellowship in subspecialties.
Neurologists arrive at a diagnosis through physical examinations, detailed medical histories, and various tests utilizing the latest technology. They will likely run tests to evaluate your senses—vision, speech, and sensation—and mental status and reflexes.
During the process, tools such as computer-assisted tomography (CAT) or computed tomography (CTCT) scans, lumbar puncture (LPLP), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are typically used. A neurologist with a subspecialty may run additional tests to pinpoint the exact problem. Intraoperative spine and brain monitoring, endovascular procedures such as angiograms, and skin or muscle biopsies are the purview of different subspecialties.
If your neurologist believes you will benefit from surgery, they will recommend you to a neurosurgeon for a consultation. Neurosurgeons are qualified and trained in surgical and non-surgical therapies to treat neurological disorders. They often coordinate with neurologists to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
What conditions do neurologists treat?
Neurologists treat and manage various brain, spinal cord, and nervous system conditions. Neurological problems can affect any part of the body and individuals at any age. Some common diseases treated by neurologists include-
- 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. While there isn't any cure for Alzheimer's, a neurologist may prescribe medication to slow the progression of symptoms.
- Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease where abnormal electrical signals produced by damaged brain cells lead to recurrent seizures. The condition can change a person's muscle movements, behavior, and sensations. Common causes include genetics, brain disorders, head injuries, and developmental disorders. Treatment options for epilepsy depend on the type of seizures experienced (focal or generalized seizures). A neurologist will conduct tests such as electroencephalography (EEG) and MRI scans to diagnose epilepsy. Most patients (almost 70%) 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 the basal ganglia (structures present at the base of the brain) to deteriorate over time, leading to slow movements, tremors, and poor balance and coordination. While Parkinson's is typical in older adults, it can occur even at the age of 20. Genetic factors generally cause it, and the condition has no cure. However, a neurologist may prescribe medication, or a neurosurgeon can perform surgery to manage symptoms.
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease, this neuromuscular condition attacks motor neurons in a person's brain and spinal cord and causes the muscles to atrophy, making it difficult to walk, talk, swallow, or breathe. Genetic or environmental factors may also lead to this condition. While the damage inflicted by ALS cannot be reversed, a neurologist may help diagnose and manage it by prescribing physical therapy, medication, and speech therapy and recommending equipment such as wheelchairs or electric beds.
What are the different types of neurologist subspecialties?
Many medical professionals in neurology concentrate on and only treat particular disorders. They could practice the following subspecialties in neurology:
- Neurodevelopmental disabilities: This specialization focuses on managing childhood disorders, particularly cognitive impairment. These include language, mobility disorders, and impairment of the special senses.
- Autonomic disorders: These are issues with the autonomic nervous system, such as problems with blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, and body temperature regulation.
- Neuromuscular medicine: This specialty focuses on treating individuals with illnesses that impact the muscles and peripheral nervous system. Muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and myasthenia gravis are a few examples of these conditions.
- Child neurology: This branch of medicine focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing nervous system diseases other than cognitive problems in children (from birth to young adulthood). Doctors in this discipline also evaluate children's psychology and behavior.
- Vascular neurology: It is concerned with diagnosing, researching, and treating conditions that impact the structure and operation of blood vessels. In this field, neurologists primarily treat stroke patients.
When to see a neurologist?
If your primary care physician suspects neurological disorders or notices any symptoms, they will likely refer you to a neurologist. Neurologists can treat multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, brain tumors, and migraines. Reasons you might want to see a neurologist are:
- You have recurrent or frequent headaches that do not go away with over-the-counter medications. If your headaches are getting worse or last longer each time, then you should not delay in getting them checked out
- You are experiencing cognitive problems, loss of memory, or confusion. Some neurological disorders can cause you to misplace things and not remember where you left them, make you forget important events, and lose your sense of direction even in a familiar place.
- You experience numbness or tingling in your extremities or have problems with muscle coordination. If these symptoms impact your life quality, it is time to consult a neurologist.
- You have an existing neurological condition and feel the current treatment regimen or medication is not working. Even when your disorder is under control, schedule regular appointments with your neurologist to monitor the situation.
How can you prepare for your first meeting with a neurologist?
Once you have found the best neurologist near you, here's what you can expect on your first visit.
The first time you see a neurologist, your doctor will ask questions about your current symptoms and health history. They may also perform a physical examination to evaluate your brain and nerves. You can do the following to prepare for your appointment:
- List the essential issues you want to discuss with your neurologist.
- Talk about any changes in your general health.
- Explain your symptoms, mentioning any changes in present or former symptoms. Maintain a symptom journal and have it with you at all times. Record your symptom episodes in it, including the date and time, duration, severity, triggers, etc. The journal is helpful if you have fluctuating symptoms, including epilepsy, sleep disorders, headaches, or Parkinson's disease.
- Take copies of any test results, including any scans or lab work requested by medical experts other than your neurologist.
- Make a list of all your medications. Include vitamins, nutritional supplements, herbal items, and over-the-counter prescriptions.
- Inform your neurologist of any medicines you used that didn't work or had unwanted side effects.
- Be sure to have a list of any known allergies.
- Bring a friend or relative to stay with you during testing and imaging scans.
- Determine if you need to schedule another session to address any remaining concerns.
Critical procedures performed by neurologists
Neurologists use a variety of tests and treatments to diagnose and treat neurological disorders.
Some of these key procedures include:
- Electromyography (EMG): Neurologists utilize electromyography to evaluate how well a person's muscles respond to electrical stimulation from motor neurons, which are the nerves responsible for controlling muscle movement. This procedure is often paired with a nerve conduction study (NCV) to measure nerve activity through superficial electrical stimulation. During an EMG, a trained technician inserts tiny needles called electrodes into the muscles. These electrodes then record the electrical activity in the muscle tissue both during movement and at rest. The EMG machine produces a record of this electrical activity, known as an electromyogram.
- Lumbar puncture: Neurologists conduct lumbar punctures to collect samples of spinal fluid, which can help diagnose conditions such as meningitis, encephalitis, spinal cord inflammation, leukemia, autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis (MSMS), dementia, and bleeding in the brain. In addition to diagnostics, lumbar puncture treatments treat spinal cord conditions by injecting anesthetics, antibiotics, or cancer treatments through the lumbar puncture needle.
- Tensilon test: Neurologists use the Tensilon test to identify myasthenia gravis, a rare neuromuscular disease. The test involves injecting small amounts of edrophonium, known by Tensilon, into the bloodstream. Edrophonium works by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for stimulating muscle movement. In people with myasthenia gravis, the immune system targets acetylcholine receptors in their muscles, leading to muscle fatigue and decreased movement. After each injection, the neurologist asks the patient to perform various movements during the test to determine if muscle strength improves. If the person experiences a return in strength after each Tensilon injection, it indicates the presence of myasthenia gravis.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG): Neurologists perform electroencephalograms to measure and record electrical activity in the brain. It can also track brain wave patterns. During this procedure, a technician places electrodes on the individual's head, which are connected to a computer that converts the brain's electrical signals into patterns visible on a screen or printed on paper. Neurologists use EEG results to identify abnormal brain electrical activity and diagnose conditions such as epilepsy, seizures, brain tumors, sleep disorders, comas, or unresponsiveness.
- Other tests: Neurologists also rely on various other tests to diagnose neurological conditions. These include laboratory tests like blood and urine analyses and imaging tests like ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans, and PET scans. Genetic testing, biopsies, and angiography are also commonly used tools to aid in diagnosing complex neurological disorders.
Ways to promote neurological health
Maintaining optimal neurological health is possible when you have a healthy mind and a healthy body. Being active and sticking to a nutritious diet can help with this. Some ways of doing this are by:
- Keeping your heart healthy—People with high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol are at significant risk of getting neurodegenerative diseases. These diseases can impede the smooth flow of blood to the brain. A healthy heart can help avoid these ailments.
- Getting quality sleep – Your body needs between seven to nine hours of sleep every night. As you sleep, your brain works to eliminate toxins known as beta-amyloids. If not, these toxins can result in Alzheimer's or dementia.
- Be active—Pursuing activities such as walking, swimming, or dancing for at least half an hour can improve blood flow to your brain and benefit your cognitive and physical health.
- Eat right – Plan your meals to include brain-healthy foods. Consume food low in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids. Limiting red meats while increasing the intake of fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts is the way to go. Avocados, olive oil, dark chocolate, berries, and leafy greens are some other things you should be eating.
- Stay socially connected – Instead of spending all your time with digital devices and virtual friends, it is essential to communicate with real people. Socializing boosts blood flow to the brain and keeps it in excellent condition.
- Learn new skills—When you challenge your brain by pursuing new skills and constant learning, you stimulate intellectual stimulation. When your brain is busy, it becomes difficult for neurodegenerative diseases to take over.
Find the best neurologists near you in San Antonio, TX.
Neurological disorders must be diagnosed and treated by a qualified neurologist. With an exponential rise in incidences of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, and multiple sclerosis, it is imperative to seek expert opinion immediately. People are often reluctant to seek medical advice simply because they do not know how to find the right doctor.
Zocdoc offers the convenience of booking an appointment with a San Antonio neurologist from the comfort of your home. Searching for medical practitioners with a vast database of verified medical practitioners by specialty or disorder is simple. Our medical professionals have a tailored profile that details their educational qualifications, experience, and location.
You can also find patient reviews to help you make an informed choice. Our efficient algorithm makes finding service providers based on your insurance coverage accessible. Use the appropriate filters to search for the best neurologists near you who accept your insurance plan.
If you can't find your medical insurance plan on Zocdoc, upload a photo of your insurance card. Zocdoc will automatically scan the image and display the most likely plan for you. This feature isn't available for dental or vision insurance cards. If you face any issues while uploading the image, don't hesitate to contact Zocdoc's service team for assistance. Additionally, you can check out Zocdoc's patient help center for answers to any further insurance-related queries.
All bookings with Zocdoc are quick, secure, and free!
Neurological disorder statistics in San Antonio, TX
Statistics published by the Parkinson's Foundation state that one million people in the United States live with Parkinson's disease, with the number expected to see a rise of nearly 20% by the year 2030. According to Statista, a total of 2,890 Parkinson' s-related deaths happened in Texas in 2021, placing the state in third place in the US.
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the US is third on the list of countries with the highest number of age-standardized deaths caused by neurological conditions. These alarming statistics underline the need for early detection and treatment of neurological disorders.
Research is underway at the South Texas Alzheimer's Disease Research Center to develop better treatments with this aim in mind. This Center is a tie-up between the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, UT Health San Antonio, and the Glenn Biggs Institute.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Tufts Medical Center Community Care
American Academy of Neurology
WebMD
Parkinson's Foundation
Statista
Pan American Health Organization
University of Texas Health San Antonio
Verywell Health
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Cleveland Clinic[4]
Cleveland Clinic[5]
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
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