Neurologist
Neurology is a branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Physicians specializing in the field of neurology are called neurologists and are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage patients with neurological disorders. Most neurologists are trained to treat and diagnose adults with neurological disorders. Pediatric neurologists, nearly always a subspecialty of pediatrics, treat neurological disease in children. Neurologists may also be involved in clinical research, clinical trials, as well as basic research and translational research.
 Neurological disorders are disorders that affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), the peripheral nervous system (peripheral nerves - cranial nerves included), or the autonomic nervous system. Neurologists perform neurological examinations of the nerves of the head and neck; muscle strength and movement; balance, ambulation, and reflexes; and sensation, memory, speech, language, and other cognitive abilities.
They also perform diagnostic tests such as the following:
- CAT (computed axial tomography) scan
- MRI/MRA (magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance angiography)
- Lumbar Puncture (spinal tap)
- EEG (electroencephalography)
- EMG/NCV (electromyography/nerve conduction velocity)
When a neurologist examines a patient, details such as vision, physical strength, coordination, reflexes, and sensations, like touch and smell, are probed to help determine if the medical problem is related to nervous system damage. More tests might be done to help determine the exact cause of the problem and how to treat the condition. While neurologists can recommend surgery, they do not actually perform the surgery. The patient is referred to a neurosurgeon.
Common conditions treated by neurologists:
Headaches – such as migraines, cluster headaches and tension headaches (seizure) disorders;
Neurodegenerative disorders - including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease);
Cerebrovascular disease – including ischemic attack and strokes.
Sleep disorders
Cerebral palsy
Infections – of the brain (encephalitis), brain meninges (meningitis)
Infections – of the spinal cord (myelitis)
Infections – of the peripheral nervous system (botulism)
Neoplasms—tumors of the brain and its mininges (brain tumors), spinal cord tumors, tumors of the peripheral nerves (neuroma)
Movement disorders (Parkinsons disease, Huntington’s disease, hemiballismus, tic disorder and Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome)
Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (multiple sclerosis), and of the peripheral nervous system [Guillain-Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)]
Spinal Cord Disorders - tumors, infections, trauma, malformations
Disorders of peripheral nerves, muscles and neuromuscular junctions
Traumatic injuries to the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves
Altered mental status, encephalopathy, stupor and coma
Speech and language disorders .
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