What are neurological disorders?
Over 600 neurological illnesses exist, which are short-term or chronic health issues affecting the brain, spine, and both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and memory impairments such as Alzheimer's disease are all common neurological illnesses.
What is neurology?
Neurology is the area of medicine that focuses on the function, anatomy, and problems that arise from the neurological system of the body, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and the nerves that branch out from these organs.
A neurologist is a medical specialist who specialises in diagnosing, treating, and managing certain neurological illnesses. Some of the most prevalent issues that neurologists deal with are:
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Epilepsy
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Multiple sclerosis
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Parkinson’s disease
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Concussions
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Nerve pain
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Migraines
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Alzheimer's disease
Neurologists use non-surgical techniques such as medicines, electrical stimulation therapy, and other therapies to give regular care and management to patients with nervous system problems. They do not carry out surgeries.
A neurologist is a doctor who has received further training in diagnosing, treating, and managing neurological problems. Pediatric neurologists specialise in neurological disorders affecting children, such as epilepsy.
When a patient exhibits neurological symptoms, the primary care physician will generally send the patient to a neurologist, who will collaborate with the primary care physician to diagnose the disease and prescribe a course of therapy.
Neurologists can also refer patients to neurosurgeons for consultation and treatment of "structural" issues such as tumour or brain or spine abnormalities. However, in rare situations, neurologists may also be trained to do minimally invasive operations to repair these types of issues.
What is neurosurgery?
Neurosurgery is a medical speciality that focuses on the surgical treatment and rehabilitation of illnesses affecting any part of the nervous system. As you might expect, neurosurgeons specialise in neurological and spine surgery. Neurosurgeons may be called upon to treat difficulties such as:
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Brain aneurisms
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Herniated spinal discs
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Brain trauma and injuries
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Spinal nerve compression leading to back and neck pain
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Brain and spinal tumours (benign and cancerous)
Neurosurgeons are medical doctors who have had further specialised training in neurology, including seven years of neurosurgery residency. Neurosurgeons are experts in performing surgical treatments on the brain and spine to treat conditions that cause neurological symptoms.
They can also collaborate with other members of the healthcare team to provide non-surgical treatment for a wide range of neurological illnesses involving the brain, spine, and peripheral nervous system, such as chronic pain and neuropathy caused by diseases like diabetes.
Final thoughts
Both of these specialists treat a wide spectrum of neurological problems, and which you visit depends on your specific situation. In general, you may expect to see a neurologist who will run tests to identify your illness and establish a treatment plan, which may involve a referral to a neurosurgeon if necessary. Both of these specialists address a wide range of neurological illnesses and can collaborate with your health care team to design an appropriate treatment plan for you.
