Who are neurologists?

Neurologists are medical professionals that specialize in spotting and treating conditions that affect the nervous system. A primary care physician could advise a patient to consult a neurologist if the patient displays signs of a neurological disorder. Just a few of the many conditions that come under the category of neurological issues include Alzheimer’s disease, diabetic neuropathy, migraines, and nerve damage. This article discusses the role of the best neurologist in India online consultation, the conditions they treat, the procedures they do, and the scenarios in which a patient could consult one.

The tasks performed by neurologists

A neurologist is a medical professional that specializes in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating diseases that affect the nervous system. The spinal cord and brain are the two parts of the nervous system that make up the central nervous system (CNS). All nerves that are not a component of the central nervous system make up the peripheral nerves (PNS).

Qualifications of  a neurologist 

Due to the complexity of the nerves, many neurologists specialize in treating certain groups of patients or those with particular neurological conditions. After completing years of medical school to become a doctor, neurologists must undergo a four-year residency that includes three years of neurology training before one year of internal medicine or pediatrics training. Some neurologists pursue further specialty training, typically lasting 1-3 years. For instance, neurologists treating children are called pediatric neurologists. You can find the best pediatric neurologist in India for kids.

What techniques do neurologists use?

Neurologists use various examinations and treatments to identify and treat neurological diseases. Among these techniques are:

Lumbar puncture 

A neurologist may obtain a spinal fluid sample by a lumbar puncture. The following ailments may be identified with this technique: 

• meningitis

• encephalitis

• spinal cord inflammatory disease

• leukemia

• autoimmune illnesses like MS

• dementia

• Brain hemorrhage

A lumbar puncture may also be used by neurologists to address conditions that affect the spinal cord. A lumbar puncture needle may administer anesthetics, antibiotics, or cancer therapies.

Electromyography

Using electromyography (EMG), a neurologist may evaluate how effectively a person’s muscles react to electrical impulses from motor neurons—nerves that regulate muscular movement. A nerve conduction test (NCV) is a standard procedure used by neurologists to quantify nerve activity by gauging a patient’s reaction to brief electric stimulation. An EMG involves inserting electrodes, tiny needles, into the muscle by a qualified technician. These electrodes capture the many electrical activities that take place in muscle tissue both during movement and rest. The electromyogram that the EMG equipment creates is a record of this activity. Neurologists may use the findings of an EMG to identify neuromuscular conditions, including ALS and myasthenia gravis.

Electroencephalogram

Neurologists use electroencephalograms (EEG) to assess and document brain electrical activity. An EEG can detect electrical impulses brain cells use to interact with one another. Also, it is possible to monitor brain wave patterns is an EEG. Electrodes will be applied to the subject’s head during the EEG. These electrodes are linked to a computer, transforming electrical impulses into patterns the technician may examine on a monitor or print on paper. The findings of an EEG may help neurologists discover aberrant brain electrical activity and make specific diagnoses, including:

• epilepsy
• seizures
• Brain tumors
• Issues with sleep
• a coma or being unresponsive.

Tensilon test

The nerves in the legs and arms deteriorate due to myasthenia gravis, an uncommon neuromuscular condition. A tensilon test may be used to identify myasthenia gravis by a neurologist. Edrophonium, sold under the trade name Tensilon, is a medication that stops acetylcholine, a transmitter that promotes muscular activity, from degrading. Due to the immune system attacking acetylcholine, the muscles get fatigued and move less freely.

A specialist will inject a small quantity of Tensilon into the patient’s bloodstream during the Tensilon test. Then, they would ask the subject to perform various motions to see whether their muscular strength has improved. Each time the patient complains of fatigue, the neurologist will keep giving them Tensilon dosages. After each Tensilon infusion, the individual may discover that their strength has returned, which suggests that they have myasthenia gravis.

What does a neurologist do on your first visit?

Tests for muscular power, memory, and coordination will be part of a neurological examination. Even though the tests are often not unpleasant, they might be somewhat uncomfortable. Patients won’t need to do anything in advance for their first neurology appointment. The consultation would involve: 

• enquiring about any symptoms, present or past ailments, or medication use

• examining a person’s posture, stride, and balance to look for any outward indications of a problem and difficulty in moving.

• doing a medical examination to check the heart, lungs, and blood pressure 

• Inquiring about bowel motions and urine flow since they might reveal how the autonomous nervous system is doing. 

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