Branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of the nervous system disorders is called Neurology. A medical doctor who specializes in the branch of neurology is called a Neurologist. Neurologists treat diseases that affect the spinal cord, brain, and nerves.
A 5-year medical degree [MBBS] that is recognized by the General Medical Council and a 2-year foundation course of general training are the basic requirements for an individual to be a doctor. However, following are the specialties or extra qualifications required to be a Neurologist:
Individuals who are suffering from any of the following signs and symptoms can consult a Neurologist.
Neurologists will review the medical history of the patient and then will examine the neurological activity of the patient. Generally, the neurological examination consists of tests related to muscle strength, vision, coordination of reflexes, and sensation. Further diagnostic tests may be recommended for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Neurologists can suggest surgical treatment but do not perform surgery. Also, they can closely monitor the surgically treated patients and check their progress. Only the Neurosurgeons can perform surgical treatments related to the brain and nervous system.
Headache is a normal type of pain caused in the head & face or upper neck region. But a migraine is a chronic condition with an intense and throbbing type of pain. Patients with migraine may experience recurrent episodes of headache.
Following are the most common conditions that can be treated by Neurologists:
High or extremely uncontrolled blood pressure can cause the blood vessels to leak, rupture, or become narrow. This leads to the temporary disruption of blood supply to the brain causing a transient ischemic attack(TIA). It is a warning sign that one can get a serious stroke if the condition is left untreated.