Brain and nerves specialization
The comprehensive guide to the specialty of the brain and nerves and the most important 5 symptoms that require going to the doctor
The nervous system is one of the most complex and precise systems in the body, as it controls the activity of the rest of the body’s organs, maintains coordination between them, and regulates various vital functions.
Neurology specializes in studying, diagnosing and treating all diseases that affect the nervous system without performing surgical operations. The nervous system is divided into two main parts; The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system includes the five senses, peripheral nerves, and sensory receptors. Neurosurgery is a subspecialty of internal medicine and is distinct from neurosurgery.
The most important diseases that concern the specialization of the brain and nerves
The neurologist is interested in his study of all diseases and disorders of the nervous system, such as:
- Diseases affecting blood vessels such as stroke.
- Melanopathy of the central nervous system such as multiple sclerosis syndrome.
- headache;
- Infection of the brain and peripheral nervous system.
- Movement disorders such as Parkinson's.
- Alzheimer's disease and neuropathy.
- Neuromuscular spasms such as epilepsy.
- Spinal cord diseases.
- Language disorders and speech delay.
The central nervous system and the most important diseases that affect it
The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The brain controls all body functions, organ activity, hormone levels, and coordination between the different senses.
The brain also performs multiple and complex mental functions, including thinking, memory, sensation, speech and language. The spinal cord passes along the spine, starting from the brainstem to the lower back, and many nerves exit on both sides of the spine and connect to all parts of the body and the different senses to transmit nerve signals to and from the brain.
Among the most important diseases and injuries that affect the central nervous system, in particular:
- Injuries and accidents may afflict the body with serious complications, depending on the location and severity of the injury, up to paralysis.
- Infection, especially viral infection that affects the brain membranes, is one of the most dangerous types of infection that causes serious complications such as loss of senses and impaired brain functions.
- Atrophy of dopamine-producing cells with age, causing several disorders such as Parkinson's.
- neoplasms;
- immune diseases; When the immune system attacks the body's systems, including brain and nerve cells.
- Stroke is the result of a clot forming in the blood vessels feeding the brain, which prevents oxygen from reaching it, and atrophy occurs in that affected area.
5 of the most important symptoms that require going to a neurologist
1. Vertigo and unbalance
Feeling dizzy and unsteady is a symptom of various diseases, some of which may be related to ear disorders, and others indicate serious diseases of the nervous system.
2. Feeling of chronic pain
Chronic pain that does not respond to simple treatment methods may require a consultation with a neurologist to rule out various nerve disorders.
3. Acute or chronic headache
When you feel a sudden severe headache or if you suffer from a chronic headache, consulting a neurologist is necessary to receive treatment and follow-up and to exclude serious diseases that cause headaches.
4. Tingling or numbness
Sudden numbness and tingling, especially in one end or one side of the body, may indicate a stroke.
5. movement disorders
Difficulty moving or performing abnormal movements or muscle spasms are symptoms of various disorders and diseases that affect the nervous system.
Different diagnostic methods in the neurology clinic
The neurologist examines and examines the patient in the clinic by following the following steps:
- Complete medical history including symptoms, chronic diseases, and family history of some disorders.
- Clinical examination of the patient using simple tools to check the strength of muscle contraction and some nervous reactions, and to evaluate body movement and coordination in the performance of certain movements.
- Biopsy or spinal cord biopsy to diagnose some severe infections.
- Computer EEG to evaluate nerve signals emitted from the brain and helps diagnose many tumors, seizures, and neuropsychiatric disorders.
- MRI and CT scan.
- Computer graphics of nerves and muscles.
Subspecialties within Neurology
Due to the complexity of the nervous system in the human body, there are many subspecialties in neuroscience, such as:
- Headache specialty.
- Specializing in Neuromuscular Diseases.
- Pain management specialty.
- Neurology in the elderly.
- Pediatric Neurology.
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