Neurology

What Is Neurology?

There is no way to minimize or brush aside the importance of brain health, nor the anxiety that people feel when dealing with issues of the brain and nervous system. After all, this neurological center controls everything from our decision-making abilities to how we engage and interact with the world. Neurology is the medical specialty of diagnosing and treating disorders of the nervous system which includes the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles.

How We Are Different

We understand that neurological disorders can be confusing and frightening. Our goal is to help patients understand what is happening, and to empower them in making informed choices related to their health. We see patients from nearly every walk of life: athletes coping with concussions or recurring head injuries; Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s patients; otherwise healthy people who are dealing with double vision or another issue that comes out of nowhere. Among our areas of expertise include stroke, stroke prevention, epilepsy, movement disorders, neuromuscular disorders, multiple sclerosis, dementia, and headaches.

Evaluation and treatment of:

• Headaches (Migraines, cluster headaches, tension headaches)
• Seizures/Epilepsy
• Dementias (Alzheimer’s Disease)
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Stroke
• Myopathy or primary muscle disorders
• Peripheral Neuropathy, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and other peripheral nerve disorders
• Movement Disorders (Parkinson’s Disease, Tremors)

Providing the following procedures:

• Electromyography (EMG)
• Nerve Conduction Studies (NCV)
• Botox injections for chronic migraine

Is there a cure for Alzheimer’s disease?

Some Alzheimer’s disease medications and management strategies may temporarily improve symptoms, thereby helping people with Alzheimer’s gain greater independence and maintain a good quality of life. However, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and it’s important to seek supportive services as early as possible.

What are some risk factors for sustaining a concussion when playing sports?

An athlete’s prior history of concussions is perhaps the biggest risk factor related to his or her risk for another concussion. Research shows that if someone has already suffered one concussion, they are one- to two-times more likely to suffer another. The more concussions they suffer, the more their risk goes up.

Studies also show that females are more likely than males to sustain concussions, and that they require more recovery time. This is most likely due to a number of anatomical and biomechanical differences between genders.

Lastly, a history of developmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, or headaches/migraines can play a part in concussion recovery time. Since new research on concussions is always coming out, it’s important that coaches, trainers, parents, and athletes themselves stay up-to-date on information related to prevention and treatment.

If I’m having vision problems, should I visit the Neurological Department, or see an eye doctor first?

First, there is a strong correlation between changes to your vision and the brain. For instance, strokes, aneurysms, brain tumors and even a brain infection can cause visual problems.

With that said, your first stop should be to either check in with an eye doctor, or consult your family physician. Plenty of visual problems are related to the eye itself, such as cataracts, glaucoma or astigmatism. If, after an eye exam, everything checks out, or if the problem includes other issues such as dizziness or migraines, make an appointment with the neurology department right away.

Do neurologists perform surgery?

Neurologists do not perform surgery, but can recommend surgical treatment and refer patients to the appropriate surgeon if necessary.

When visiting the neurology department, expect a thorough review of your neurological history, a comprehensive medical exam, discussion of testing, imaging and other treatment options. You can also expect—and benefit from—our use of the latest technology and techniques to diagnose and manage neurological disorders.