WHAT IS NEUROLOGY?
WHAT IS A NEUROLOGIST?
ABI RESOURCES team members take directives from Neurologists. Neurology is the branch of medicine or biology that deals with the anatomy, functions, and organic disorders of nerves and the nervous system. The nervous system is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates body activities. A doctor who specializes in neurology is called a neurologist. The neurologist treats disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, such as:
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Central nervous system: the brain and spinal cord
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Peripheral nervous system: all other neural elements, such as eyes, ears, skin, and other "sensory receptors"
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Cerebrovascular disease, such as stroke
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Seizure disorders, such as epilepsy
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Spinal cord disorders
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Speech and language disorders
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Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis
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Headache disorders
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Infections of the brain and peripheral nervous system
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Movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease
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Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease)
Because the nervous system is complex, a neurologist may specialize in a specific area. There are many subspecialties. Some examples of subspecialties include:
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headache medicine
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neuromuscular medicine
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neurocritical care
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neuro-oncology
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geriatric neurology
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autonomic disorders
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vascular (stroke care)
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child neurology
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intervention neuroradiology
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epilepsy
Neurologists do not perform surgery. If one of their patients requires surgery, they refer them to a neurosurgeon.
In the realm of internal medicine, the field of neurology holds a critical position, tasked with the diagnosis and treatment of neurologic disorders which may affect the nervous system and peripheral nerves. After many years of medical school, followed by specialized training, neurologists become experts in understanding the electrical activity in the brain, and how this can impact various functions of the body such as muscle strength.
When a patient is suspected of having a disorder of the nervous system, an appointment with a neurologist is often arranged. During this consultation, the neurologist may propose a range of diagnostic tests, such as a lumbar puncture or electromyography (EMG). A lumbar puncture, often known as a spinal tap, can help detect conditions like meningitis or multiple sclerosis, while an EMG is used to analyze the electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles, providing vital data on the health of these muscles and the nerve cells that control them.
Ultimately, neurologists diagnose and treat conditions by assessing symptoms, understanding the underlying electrical activity, and studying the physical manifestations of these disorders. Their work is instrumental in managing a range of neurologic disorders and ensuring patients can achieve the best possible quality of life.
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