Helping Neurologists Do Their Best Work
Neurologists
Neurologists
Who are brain and nerve experts and what is their purpose?
Neurologists are brain and nervous system experts. A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating and managing problems of the human brain and nerves. The brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves make up the human nervous system.
In fact, the human nervous system is the most complex organ compared to other human organ systems. It follows that neurologists care for people with the most difficult health problems.
Neurologists are an essential part of the health care team
Neurologists have unique skills and training that other medical providers do not have. Therefore, a wide variety of health care providers routinely request the help and experience of neurologists to best care for their patients.
How do neurologists help other health care providers?
The purpose of specialty medical training in neurology is for the physician-neurologist to acquire a thorough understanding of the human nervous system. This knowledge includes how our complex brain and nerves work together to keep our body working, moving and responding appropriately to changes in our surrounding environment.
Neurologists help other physicians diagnose, perform appropriate tests and prescribe therapy related to the human brain and nerves when other physicians are not familiar with doing so. A neurologist also reads tests and films such as electroencephalograms, Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) scans and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) diagnostic tests.
The results of neurological diagnostic tests are analyzed based on a patient’s clinical situation. A neurologist typically determines the most accurate diagnosis possible, as well as the best treatment for a patient with a neurological problem.
Neurosurgeons
Neurosurgeons are the surgical partners for neurologists. Neurologists typically do not perform surgery on the brain, however neurologists typically work alongside of neurosurgeons who often consult with neurologists before they make any major surgical intervention on the brain.
How do neurologists help patients?
Every neurology visit with a patient in a clinical setting should help the medical team to narrow down a diagnosis and to formulate a treatment plan for conditions such as: epilepsy, migraine, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and memory issues. Neurologists work to treat neurologic disease using specific medication, rehabilitation and physical therapy.