Find Out the Role of Neurology Specialists Here

Neurology specialists are specialists in diagnosing and treating diseases related to the nervous system, including the brain, muscles, peripheral nerves, and spinal nerves. Before becoming a neurology specialist, a doctor must complete a specialized education in neurology. In general, neurology specialists can be divided into two according to the treatment methods provided, namely neurosurgeons and neurologists who handle neurological diseases with non-surgical methods. To become a neurosurgeon, usually a doctor must undergo a neurosurgency residency education of at least 6 years after graduating from general medical school. The length of education is what makes neurosurgeons still very rare in some countries, including in Indonesia.

Field of Neurology

In the medical world itself, the field of work of neurology specialists can be divided into eight subspecialties. Specialists who have studied subspecialty education are called consultants. This division of the field of neurology aims to make it easier to deal with nervous system disorders of its patients. Here is a subspecialty in the field of neurology, namely:

• Child neurology

Pediatrician consultant specialist neurology is more focused on handling neurological disorders in children, ranging from infants to adolescents. Numerous neurological disorders that can be handled by pediatric neurology consultants include seizures, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, muscle weakness, and brain tumors in children.

• Epilepsy neurology

A type of neurology that is specialized in diagnosing and managing epilepsy.

• Vascular neurology

The field of neurology that specializes in studying and treating diseases of the blood vessels of the brain such as strokes and abnormalities in the formation of blood vessels of the brain (Arteriovenous Malformation / AVM).

• Neurology of pain and peripheral nerves

A subspecialty of neurology specialists who focus on diagnosing and managing diseases associated with pain complaints due to peripheral and autonomic nerve disorders. Some neurological disorders treated by pain neurology consultants include diabetic neuropathy, autonomic neuropathy, pain due to injury, and nerve damage.

• Interventional neurology

The field of neurology that focuses on treating central nervous system abnormalities in the brain and spinal cord with radiological technology and minimally invasive treatment methods, such as mounting clips or rings in the brain or radiation therapy to treat brain tumors.

• Neuro-oncology

Specialist neuro-oncologist who specializes in dealing with tumors or cancer of the brain or spinal cord.

• Geriatric Neurology

The field of neurology is focused on the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases due to aging. Geriatric neurology consultant doctors have expertise in dealing with neurological diseases in the elderly.

• Intensive neurology and emergencies

One of the subspecialists in the field of neurology that specializes in diagnosing, treating, and treating patients with nervous system disorders with critical conditions. Neurology consultant doctors in this field also handle emergency cases related to neurological diseases.

Not infrequently, this neurology subspecialist collaborates with other specialists in assisting the treatment of patients, one of which is a neurosurgeon if the case being treated requires nerve surgery.

Diseases That Can Be Treated by Neurology Specialists

As explained above, neurology specialists have in-depth knowledge of diseases related to the human nervous system. Therefore, neurology specialists can determine the best diagnosis and treatment according to the patient's condition. Various neurological diseases that are commonly handled by neurology specialists, including:

• Stroke.
• Epilepsy.
• Nervous system tumors.
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Dementia, for example in Alzheimer's disease.
• Motion disorders.
• Myasthenia gravis.
• Central nervous system infections, such as meningitis, brain abscesses and inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).
• Lou Gehrig's disease.
• Spinal cord disorders.
• Migraine / severe headache.
• Peripheral neuropathy.
• Tremor.
• Parkinson's disease.
• Pinched nerve.
• Pain related to nerve disorders.

What Doctors Can Do Neurology

In making a diagnosis, usually a neurology specialist will trace the patient's medical history and the symptoms felt by his patient. After that, the neurologist will conduct a series of general physical examinations and neurological physical examinations that focus on the brain and peripheral nerves to diagnose nerve disorders experienced by the patient. This examination can take the form of visual nerve examination, muscle strength, reflexes, speech, touch sensation, coordination, and balance. To confirm the diagnosis, neurology specialists often advise their patients to conduct additional examinations, such as:

• Laboratory tests: urine test, blood test, and brain fluid analysis.
• Radiological examination: CT scan, MRI, PET scan, angiography, X-ray, ultrasound examination.
• Nerve electrical tests: this includes examination of the brain's electrical waves (electroencephalogram / EEG), muscle nerve electricity (electromigraphy / EMG), examination of the eye's nerves and organ balance (electronistagmorafi / ENG).
• Biopsy: usually the doctor will recommend biopsy of brain and nerve tissue examination for tumors of the nervous system. This examination is useful to determine whether the tumor is malignant or not.

After making a diagnosis, a neurologist will determine what treatment method is appropriate for the patient's condition. Generally, the first step in treatment given by a neurologist is the provision of medicines to reduce the symptoms that arise. If the patient requires surgery on the nerves, the neurologist will refer the patient to a specialist in neurosurgery.

When to Go to a Neurologist

Neurological diseases sometimes have no distinctive symptoms and even resemble other medical conditions. Therefore, you should immediately check yourself to a neurologist if you experience the following symptoms:

• Convulsions.
• Tremor.
• Difficulty walking.
• Easily tired.
• Muscle weakness or paralysis.
• Often experience numbness or numbness in certain body parts.
• Decreased muscle mass (muscle atrophy).
• Unbearable pain.
• Vision loss.
• Difficulty in talking.
• Swallowing disorders.
• Excessive sweating.
• Dizziness spinning (vertigo).

What Needs to Be Prepared Before Meeting a Neurology Specialist?

Before meeting with a neurologist, there are a number of things you must prepare. This is done to make it easier for neurologists to determine the right treatment for you. Here are some things that you should prepare before meeting a neurologist:

• Bring all the results of the examination that you have done before while seeing a neurologist.
• Describe all the symptoms and complaints that you feel in detail.
• Also tell about the history of the disease, medications that are being consumed (including supplements and herbal medicines), and allergies that you have.
• Ask your family or friends to accompany you during your meeting with a neurologist.

In addition, prepare the costs required to carry out the inspection. Therefore, the cost of the examination that you will spend may not be small, especially if you need neurosurgery.