Neurologists are certified doctors specializing in diagnosing and treating medical conditions of the brain, spinal cord, nervous system, and muscles. Neurological disorders can affect almost any body part and can affect both children and adults.
Neurologists are familiar with the anatomy, function, and conditions affecting the nervous system. Generally, primary care physicians refer you to them if your symptoms indicate a neurological disorder.
Neurologists differ from neurosurgeons because they do not perform brain, spinal cord, or nerve surgery. They instead treat neurological conditions such as migraines, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and others. They may also recommend lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, and medications in treatment plans.
On the other hand, neurosurgeons receive further training to focus on the surgical aspects of neurological care. Subsequently, some pediatric neurologists specialize in diagnosing and treating neurological conditions in patients ranging from babies to teenagers. However, they specialize in additional illnesses related to inherited and developmental disorders.
Neurologists complete four years of undergraduate studies, four years of medical school, and one year of internship in either medicine, surgery, or internal medicine. Furthermore, they must complete at least three years of additional training in a neurology residency program.
Upon completion of residency training, they can seek board certifications from medical organizations such as the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). Pediatric neurologists or neurologists become certified after completing a relevant exam.
At the ABPN, they must participate in the ten-year maintenance program to showcase their dedication to learning and improving their field. Some neurologists may also branch into specialized areas such as pain management or movement disorders.
What diseases and conditions do neurologists treat?
Neurologists address various conditions, from neurological disorders to musculoskeletal issues. Some conditions they treat are:
- Neurological trauma: A traumatic brain injury happens when the brain gets damaged by a sudden, external physical assault. Neurologists perform evaluation, imaging, and blood tests to diagnose traumatic brain injury.
- A stroke: It happens when blood supply is lost, cutting off oxygen supply to the brain's nerve cells. It may be an ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, or transient ischemic attack.
- Autoimmune diseases: A neurologist may work with people with autoimmune disorders impacting the neurological system, such as multiple sclerosis, chickenpox, and hepatitis C.
- Dementia: This condition encompasses a variety of cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer's disease and dementia due to Parkinson's disease.
- Peripheral neuropathy: Neurologists treat this condition, which damages the extensive communication network that carries impulses between the central nervous system and other body parts.
- Seizures and seizure disorders: These occur when the brain's electrical activity becomes abnormal. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that makes people suffer from recurring seizures.
- Headaches: Tension and migraines are the two most common headaches in neurological practice.
- Movement disorders: Neurologists treat conditions such as Parkinson's disease, clumsiness, rigidity, tremors, involuntary motions, or trouble walking.
How do neurologists diagnose various conditions?
Neurologists will first ask about your medical history, family medical history, medication list, and current symptoms. They will also perform a neurologic examination, which will include tests of your:
- Coordination, balance, reflexes, and gait
- Muscle power
- Mental well-being
- Vision, hearing, and speech
- Sensation
Your neurologist may also order blood, urine, or other fluid tests to help understand the severity of your condition or to monitor medication levels. To identify inherited disorders, they may order genetic testing. They may request imaging studies of your nervous system to aid in diagnosis. Neurologists treat patients with medications, physical therapy, and other methods.
What are neurological procedures?
A physical checkup and a neurological evaluation will likely occur during your first session with a neurologist. Reflexes, muscle strength, and coordination evaluation happen during a neurological exam. To help diagnose or treat a problem, neurologists may recommend various procedures. These procedures may include:
- Tensilon test: This method aids in diagnosing myasthenia gravis. Neurologists inject tension into you during this exam and observe its effects on muscle motions.
- Lumbar puncture: Neurologists withdraw cerebrospinal fluid to test spinal fluid. It detects leukemia, meningitis, and other illnesses.
- Electromyography (EMG): This test measures how nerves and muscles work. Neurologists perform this test if you have weakness, tingling, or numbness. It can aid in diagnosing spinal cord illness, nerve dysfunction, and general muscle.
- Electroencephalogram: This test records the brain's electrical signals using small metal discs. Neurologists use it to diagnose seizures, injuries, tumors, inflammation, and psychiatric disorders.
- Electronystagmography (ENG): It is a group of tests performed to diagnose balance disorders, dizziness, and involuntary eye movement. Neurologists may use small electrodes or infrared photography to perform this risk-free and painless test.
- Myelography: Neurologists take spine imaging by X-ray or CT and inject contrast dye into the spinal canal. Myelography diagnoses spinal cord compression from fractures, herniated discs, and spinal cord tumors.
- Thermography: Neurologists use this procedure to evaluate peripheral nerve disorders, complex regional pain syndromes, and nerve root compression. It is risk-free, safe, and noninvasive.
- Polysomnogram: Neurologists perform this procedure to measure body and brain activity during sleep to detect sleep disorders, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and breathing disorders.
- Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT): Neurologists conduct this test to diagnose infections and tumors. They also use it to identify the location of seizures, stress fractures, and degenerative spine disease.
When should you see a neurologist?
Some of the common symptoms for which you may need to see a neurologist near you are:
- Memory disturbances
- Taste or smell disturbances
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Vision problems
- Numbness and tingling sensations
- Burning or electrical shock-like pain in any body part
- Facial asymmetries
- Vertigo, deafness, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Difficulty swallowing, difficulty in shrugging your shoulders or turning your neck, hoarseness in voice, and trouble with tongue movements
- Muscle weakness, cramps, spasms, and twitching
- Neck or back pain and headaches
- Tremors
- Imbalance in gait
- Slow movements
How should you prepare for the first appointment with a neurologist?
Preparing for your neurologist visit in advance can make the appointment successful by helping you understand and diagnose your condition. Preparation methods include:
- List the most pressing issues you'd like to discuss with your neurologist.
- Discuss any changes in overall health.
- Discuss your new symptoms or changes in previous or existing symptoms. Keep a symptoms diary and record events, including the date and time, length of the event, severity, triggers, symptoms, and the action you took to end the event. It is especially beneficial if you have a condition with intermittent symptoms, such as epilepsy, sleep apnea, headaches, or Parkinson's disease.
- Bring copies of test results, a CD with images, and lab work ordered by healthcare providers outside your neurologist's network.
- Bring a list of all existing medications you use. Include all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Also, inform your neurologist of previous medicines that did not work or caused side effects.
- Request another appointment to discuss any additional concerns.
Tips to keep your brain healthy
Here are simple things you can do to slow down memory decline and improve your brain health.
Daily exercise or physical activity improves blood flow to the brain and keeps it healthy. It also helps improve balance, strength, flexibility, mood, and energy. Various studies suggest that regular physical activity can lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
To keep your mind and body healthy, do aerobic activities like brisk walking, dancing, jogging, cycling, and swimming for at least one hour daily.
The brain is like any muscle in the body. You have to keep it active to keep it healthy. Therefore, do various brain-stimulating activities like solving puzzles, playing games, reading, etc. It helps develop new neural connections and may help build new brain cells. You can also try a new hobby or learn to play a new musical instrument to keep your brain active.
Sleep is essential for the brain. Almost seven or eight hours of uninterrupted sleep at night can boost overall memory and brain health. Issues such as sleep apnea can disrupt your sleep pattern, which can affect your brain health. In case you have these conditions, talk to your doctor about how to manage them and get uninterrupted sleep at night.
What you eat impacts your brain health. Fresh fruits, green vegetables, whole grains, and fish help keep your body and mind healthy. Avoid highly processed, high-sugar, and salty foods, as these negatively affect brain health.
Social interactions can help prevent stress and depression. Therefore, talk to your friends and loved ones and meet them often. Social isolation can lead to brain atrophy, while being socially active can strengthen your brain.
How to find the best neurologist near you in Seattle?
Do you have a taste disturbance after eating your favorite dish? Have you experienced a loss of consciousness? Do you frequently experience numbness and tingling? Does pain in your body feel like an electrical shock? Do you get a ringing sensation in your ears? If yes, you should consult a neurologist in Seattle and book your appointment in real time on Zocdoc.
Zocdoc can help you locate the best neurologist in your area. Create a free account, enter your condition, location, date, and insurance plan, and click the find button. A comprehensive list of verified neurologists appears based on your search criteria. On Zocdoc, each neurologist has a profile that includes their education qualifications, practice locations, reasons for visiting, and professional membership.
If you want to know your insurance plan, upload an image of the insurance card to your Zocdoc account, and we will find and display information regarding your insurance plan (this facility is not available for vision or dental plans). You can also check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
You can also read verified patient reviews to find the best neurologist near you in Seattle. If you want to book a video visit before an in-person visit, you can filter the search for video visits or look for purple-colored video icons on the provider's profile.
All the bookings on Zocdoc are safe, secure, and free.
Neurologist in Seattle, Washington State
According to May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 130 registered neurologists were present in Washington State.
As per 2022 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, the deaths and annual mortality rate (per 100,000 people) due to Alzheimer's disease in Washington in 2019 were approximately 3,585 and 47.1%, respectively. Alzheimer's dementia affected about 120,000 people in Washington State aged 65 and older in 2020. In 2025, this figure will rise to nearly 140,000. People in Washington State are concerned about their health. Almost 5,459 people went to the hospital after being diagnosed with dementia.
In Washington, the percentage of ischemic stroke patients who received acute reperfusion therapy increased from nearly 0.9% in 1999 to 3.3% in 2007.
Sources
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Cleveland Clinic[3]
Cleveland Clinic[4]
Verywell Health[1]
Verywell Health[2]
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Alzheimer's Association
Mayo Clinic Health System
