Introduction
Are you troubled with bouts of headaches that tend to hammer your head, or observe commendable changes in the quality of your conversation and movement? Consulting a neurologist would be a great idea!
A neurologist is a specialist who treats brain and spinal cord diseases, peripheral nerves and muscle issues. They treat conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, Back pain, Brain and spinal cord injury, Brain tumour, Epilepsy, Headaches, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Peripheral neuropathy, Seizures, Stroke, Tremors etc.
Read on to know when to visit a neurologist and book your appointment with the best neurologists in Vizag.
Top 10 signs to see a Neurologist
The sooner diagnosis and treatment better is the outcome. Therefore watching out for the below-listed signs is crucial.
- Memory problems or confusion:
Although it’s OK to forget things occasionally if it hinders day-to-day activities, that is an alarm. Forgetfulness and confusion can indicate changes in the brain or Dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. A neurologist is the right healthcare provider who can get into its root cause and start treatment to slow down the progressive illness.
- Visual Problems:
Visual problems are common due to ageing. It may be due to eye injury or exposure to bright lights too. But if there is a sudden issue in both eyes, you may get it evaluated by a neurologist.
- Headache:
Headache is most common among people. But headaches of sudden onset, with throbbing pain, disrupt your daily activities and are often unbearable. It causes nausea, light, scent and sound sensitivity too. Migraines can’t be cured, but neurologists can determine their triggers and prescribe medicines to relieve the pain.
- Imbalance:
Disequilibrium is difficulty keeping your balance. It can be due to damage to certain parts of the brain, causing you to lose body balance, sway while walking and feel giddy. Neurologists often use imaging techniques to determine if it is a symptom of stroke or vertigo.
- Seizures:
A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled disruption of electrical activity in the brain, causing changes in behaviour, movements, feelings and episodes of unconsciousness. A seizure lasting longer than five minutes needs immediate medical attention.
Seizures are associated with stroke, head injury, meningitis or other illness. A neurologist can perform the necessary diagnostic tests to determine the cause and formulate the best treatment plan to manage the condition.
- Brain or spinal cord injury:
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disruption of the function of the brain caused by a head injury. Symptoms like headaches, dizziness, loss of consciousness, memory loss, seizures and altered thought process and behaviour are prevalent.
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are injuries to the spinal cord. Symptoms include partial/ complete loss of sensory and motor control of the limbs. In severe cases, it affects bladder and bowel control, breathing, heart rate and blood pressure. Neurologists can assess the location and severity of the injury and plan the treatment.
- Problems with movement:
Problems in the movement include walking uneasiness, being clumsy, unintentional jerks in limbs, tremors etc. These may affect the quality of life and even cause injuries. Movement disorders are many, and neurologists treat them according to the type of disorder.
- Numbness:
A numbness or tingling sensation happens when the blood circulation to a body part is impaired. It tends to go away on its own. But if the numbness continues, is sudden, or only happens on one side of the body, it needs medical intervention.
Numbness can be a sign of neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage or stroke, which can be treated if caught early. Consulting a neurologist will benefit in its early treatment and management.
- Weakness of limbs or face:
Weakness on one side of the body, in the arms, legs, or facial asymmetry can be due to conditions like brain stroke, brain attack, paralysis or Bell’s Palsy. Neurologists can order specific diagnostic tests to confirm their cause and treat them with medications and supporting therapies.
- Sleep Disturbances:
Lifestyle changes are causing sleep issues like never before. Difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking up, nightmares, sleep talking, or reduced sleep time affects a productive life.
Sleep disorders can be diagnosed by neurologists, by evaluating medical history, sleep history and physical exam. Lifestyle changes, a healthy diet and exercise, Cognitive behavioural therapy or relaxation techniques and medicines, including sleeping pills or melatonin, may be prescribed based on the type of sleep disorder.
Conclusion
Often the decision of “when should I see a neurologist” is kept on the pending list, and the symptoms are ignored which leads to the worsening of the disease. If you are searching for neurologists in Vizag, visit Queen’s NRI hospital. The hospital is staffed with highly capable, over 30 neurologists committed to patient-centric care. The best facilities and equipment available provide quality care.