Medical health workers and professionals play an important role in maintaining our physical, mental, and emotional health. However, they are often not known correctly. Their work description, scope, specialties, and capabilities are usually not understood by the majority. Thus, people are confused about where to go to have the right diagnosis for a certain condition.
One of the most common confusion is the distinctions between neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuroscientists; it is essential to learn so that they are not utilized and assumed interchangeable. A neurosurgeon is qualified to do operations on the brain and spinal cord, while a neurologist is not. Besides performing surgical procedures, neurosurgeons are capable of helping you through the process of being diagnosed, developing a treatment plan, having surgery, and making decisions about your post-operative care.
Furthermore, neurosurgeons are specialists in diagnosing and treating disorders of the brain and other neurological components of the body. Neuroscientists, on the other hand, are the ones who do research. They investigate the anatomy, function, genetics, and physiology of patients and laboratory animals to understand the disease better. Their objectives are to uncover the underlying causes of neurological disorders and determine whether or not their findings may be used to assist neurologists in the treatment of nervous system disorders.
As a result, a neurologist will have a medical degree, whereas a neuroscientist will have a Ph.D. Another major difference between neurology and neuroscience is the degree of specialization that occurs in each profession on a yearly basis among the general population.
Moreover, the distinction between neurologists and psychiatrists is also frequently the source of the confusion of many patients. However, it is understandable, for it is not always easy to identify the difference between neurological and mental symptoms. Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s Disease are all neurological diseases that involve malfunction or damage to the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Neurologists also treat infections of the neurological system. While unsettling conduct and emotional state, on the other hand, are hallmarks of mental disorders.
Aside from that, damage to and degeneration of the nervous system are frequent in neurological disorders, and this damage may sometimes interfere with the transfer of information between neurons. When this occurs, the changes may manifest as difficulties with behavior, physical control, memory, and mood. To put it another way, the same problems that psychiatrists deal with. Thus, many people mix up the words neurologist and psychiatrist because they treat the same kinds of disorders or ailments. The truth is that they are linked.
The following is a brief explanation of the differences between neurologists and psychiatrists, which might help you comprehend the differences more easily:
Neurologist – A neurologist is a medical professional who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the neurological system. In addition, sleep disorders, epilepsy, brain injuries, migraine headaches, and brain and spinal cord malignancies are some of the most frequent illnesses that neurologists in Manila address.
Psychiatrist – A psychiatrist is a medical professional specializing in treating people suffering from mental illnesses. Memory, emotions, sensory perception, attention, and enjoyment are all affected by these diseases, and they all have similar signs and symptoms that indicate mental activity. Furthermore, psychiatrists in Quezon City are experts in a variety of fields such as geriatric psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, and child and adolescent psychiatry, among others.
We often encounter many symptoms and are being set aside for thinking that it is just a normal situation. But little did we know that this is already an indication of a more serious health matter that the appropriate health professionals should address.
With that, below are some of the symptoms that you need to consult a neurologist:
- Migraines
We all suffer from headaches. They may be felt extending into our sinuses, over the top of our heads, down through the head, neck, and shoulder muscles, and down the base of the skull and brain. They may be caused by a variety of diseases, ranging from a sinus infection to a throbbing toothache after a dental appointment. Vomiting, a headache that gets more severe or is continuous, a headache that comes on abruptly or pain that is worse by effort, a headache that begins early in the morning, changes in vision, or even convulsions are all symptoms of more serious headaches, including migraines.
If you have severe headache symptoms, your primary care physician may send you to a neurologist.
- Persistent pain
Chronic pain is defined as discomfort that persists for months or even years. This discomfort may be caused by sickness or injury, but it may become a sign of another issue if it persists beyond the normal healing period. When your health care physician is unable to help you manage chronic discomfort, you may want to see a neurologist, particularly if you have additional symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or difficulties with bladder or bowel control.
- Vertigo
Dizziness may manifest itself in a variety of ways. Vertigo causes the sensation that you or the objects around you are spinning; disequilibrium is the inability to maintain your balance. Moreover, dizziness is a symptom of vertigo or disequilibrium that neurologists treat.
Your primary care physician may assist you in determining if your dizziness is serious enough to warrant referral to a neurologist.
- Feelings of numbness or tingling
Numbness or tingling may occur for a variety of causes, some as simple as sitting in a position that restricts blood circulation or not eating. If, however, the numbness persists, occurs abruptly, or affects just one side of the body, it may be time to see a neurologist.
Numbness or tingling sensations similar to those described above may potentially be indications of a stroke, in which case you should seek medical attention immediately. While your primary care physician can assist you in evaluating these symptoms, get urgent medical attention if you believe you are suffering a stroke.
- Weakness
Weakness that requires medical attention is distinct from fatigue or muscular pains after a long walk or excessive weight lifting. It may be caused by a more severe neurological illness or disease, such as stroke. Consult your neurologist if you have a muscular weakness that interferes with everyday activities or a fast decrease in muscle strength, particularly in the arms and legs.
- Movement difficulties
Moving difficulties, such as trouble walking, clumsy, unintended jerks or motions, tremors, or others, may indicate a nervous system issue.
You may want to see a neurologist if these movement difficulties interfere with your everyday life, but a tremor may be a side effect of medicine or worry. If, however, your tremors impair your everyday activities, you should see a neurologist.
- Convulsions
Seizures may be very imperceptible or quite severe. Also, seizures may manifest themselves in a variety of ways, from staring to loss of consciousness, jerking motions of the limbs and legs, breathing difficulties, disorientation, or loss of consciousness. While some seizures may be triggered by low blood sugar or withdrawal from addictive drugs, unexpected or unexplained seizures should be discussed with your physician.
Your primary care physician can assist you in determining the severity of your seizure and if you should visit a neurologist.
- Visual impairments
Difficulty seeing may be a result of age or a malfunctioning neural system. If the problem manifests suddenly and affects both eyes, you should consider having your eyesight examined. An eye doctor or your primary care physician may advise you on whether or not to see a neurologist about your visual issue.
- Difficulties with memory or confusion
Speaking difficulties, severe memory issues, personality changes, and bewilderment are all symptoms that may be caused by diseases or problems in the brain, spine, or nerves. Certain symptoms may be caused by learning difficulties or by a disease such as Alzheimer’s.
Your primary care physician may assist you in examining your symptoms and determining if you should visit a neurologist.
- Sleep disturbances
While there are many apparent reasons for sleep difficulties, such as staying up too late, having a disease such as sleep apnea or anxiety, or experiencing nightmares, other sleep problems are caused by neurological abnormalities. Narcolepsy is an example since it is a chronic, hereditary disease with no known cause that affects the body’s central nervous system.
Numerous of these symptoms may be indicative of a non-neurological illness. Your primary care physician is the best resource for determining whether you should visit a neurologist.
What medical problems are neurologists trained to treat?
Neurologists specialize in central and peripheral nervous systems diseases, which include the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, peripheral nerves, nerve roots, autonomic nervous system, neuromuscular junction, and muscles.
Among the most prevalent nervous system diseases are the following:
Epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by aberrant brain electrical activity that results in repeated, unexplained seizures and loss of consciousness.
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are progressive mental declines induced by widespread brain damage.
Stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases a stroke happen when a blood artery that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the brain becomes blocked or ruptures owing to a blood clot or rupture.
Migraine and other types of headaches are severe, recurrent headaches often accompanied by nausea and blurred vision.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic illness in which brain and spinal cord nerve cells are damaged. Symptoms include numbness, speech and motor weakness, impaired vision, and extreme tiredness.
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative neurological disorder characterized by tremor, muscle stiffness, and slow, inaccurate movement. It is linked with basal ganglia atrophy and dopamine insufficiency.
Tumors of the brain are a collection of abnormal cells in the brain that impairs cognitive function.
Brain trauma and other nervous system injuries are damage to the brain caused by an external force, which may result in altered states of consciousness and permanent or temporary impairment of cognitive, physical, or psychosocial functioning.
Tourette’s Syndrome and associated functional disorders is a neurological disease characterized by involuntary tics and vocalizations and obsessive profanity outbursts.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a gradual degeneration of the central nervous system’s motor neurons that results in muscle atrophy and paralysis.
Summary
Visiting a neurologist for the diagnosis, management, or treatment of diseases that impact the neurological system is referred to as a “neurology consultation.” The neurologist is the term used to refer to a healthcare practitioner who specializes in neurology.
Neurology is the field of medicine that deals with the neurological system, split into two categories: the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and the spinal cord. It is responsible for processing information. On the other hand, neurons make up the peripheral nervous system since they branch out to different organs such as the eyes and limbs to function.
The nervous system plays a critical part in a person’s capacity to move about freely. The brain serves as a “command center,” directing the various sections of the body on how to move or react to certain circumstances and receiving messages from these various bodily components, among other things. However, nerves link the bodily part and the brain, serving as a communication channel between the two.
While this is taking place, the spinal cord serves as a continuous “highway” for the transmission of messages. When it is damaged or sick, for example, the connection between the brain and the body may be interrupted, resulting in, among other things, impaired bodily coordination.
Genetics, hormones, and congenital abnormalities are just a few of the variables that may have an impact on how the nervous system functions. Certain illnesses may also have an impact on the neurological system, either directly or indirectly. Neurology consultation may aid in the identification of the illness, the ruling out of a neurological disease, the treatment of the problem, or the management of the problem, particularly if the ailment is incurable or tends to worsen.
Individualized pain in specific parts of the body, paresis, standing or gait instability, lapses of awareness, and unique headaches are all indications that you should see a neurologist for an evaluation. Individuals suffering migraines, back pain, or other chronic pain should also contact a neurologist for advice. It should be emphasized that various people will experience or interpret symptoms in quite different ways.
Nervous system symptoms may impact any or all of the body’s sensory organs, including dizziness, hearing and speech abnormalities, and visual impairment. Tests should be performed if you have trembling or stiffness in your muscles, muscular weakness, or back discomfort that radiates into your legs or limbs.
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