When to See a Neurologist?

 

Neurology is the medical specialty that treats disorders of the nervous system and that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and investigation of neurological diseases.

The term neurological disease includes all those diseases that affect the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (muscles and nerves).

Although the most common diseases are dementias (including Alzheimer's disease), stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis or migraine; other neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophies or dysphonia must also be highlighted.

What is a neurologist and how can it help us?

A neurologist is a specialist who deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of all diseases and disorders that affect the brain and the nervous system (central, peripheral and autonomic). For example, New York neurologist David Schick deals with the specific treatment of migraine, he treats neuralgia, stroke, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and all kinds of dementias.

How do the neurologists and neurosurgeons complement each other?

Usually, in almost all pathologies, a neurologist makes the diagnosis, and subsequently refers to the neurosurgeon for evaluation and possible surgical intervention.

What are the most common neurological diseases?

Stroke

Stroke is one of the diseases with the most serious effects on humans. In recent years, it has become the leading cause of death in women and the second in men. In addition, David Schick explains, it is currently the leading cause of disability in adults and the data is overwhelming.

Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's is also one of the main neurological diseases, and its importance is growing due to the increase in life expectancy in the population.

Other common neurological diseases

Also ALS, Parkinson's, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis in young women.

When should we go to the neurologist?

We must schedule a consultation with a neurologist, with any abnormal symptoms such as:

·         A severe headache

·         Memory problems

We must go immediately to the emergency center in the cases that we detect:

·         Loss of strength, balance, or vision

·         Language alteration or tremors

All these signs are symptoms of stroke, and in these cases, the sooner you act, the lower the risk of mortality and disability, adds neurology specialist, Dr. David Schick.

 

What is the diagnosis process?

In a neurology consultation, the diagnosis is fundamentally clinical. Neurologists listen to the patient to detect any symptoms and perform an examination to check muscle strength, balance and sensitivity, among others. Moreover, when necessary, diagnostic tests are performed, such as those MD David Schick performs at the NYU Langone Hospitals and Mount Sinai Hospital.

David Schick works with a team of different specialists, which allows them to approach each patient with a multidisciplinary approach. For example, in stroke cases, the treatment involves different professionals in all its phases: Emergency, Intensive Medicine, Neurology, Neurosurgery and Radiology in the acute phase, as well as Rehabilitation professionals in later phases. All of them have specialized training in Neurology.