Neurology

Excela Health is staffed with board-certified neurologists who treat different diseases that can impact the central nervous system, which is the study and treatment of the nerves and the nervous system - primarily the brain and spine. Many different neurological conditions can affect the body, and symptoms vary widely. In most cases, a patient’s primary care physician will refer them to a neurologist if they believe they would benefit from follow-up care with a specialist. If you think you may be experiencing common symptoms of a neurological disorder, you should bring them to the attention of your primary care doctor or neurologist.

Common neurological symptoms include:

• Chronic headaches/migraines
• Dizziness or loss of coordination
• Chronic pain or muscle weakness
• Seizures
• Memory loss or confusion
• Head trauma
• Sleep disorders

What Is a Neurologist and What Do They Treat?

Neurology is a specialty field involving diagnosis and treatment of conditions that primarily affect the brain and spine and the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems. When necessary, a neurologist will refer their patient to a neurosurgeon if they require surgery to access the brain or spinal cord to perform operations required to treat the patient.

Neurological conditions are very common and may include:

• Epilepsy
• Stroke
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neuromuscular disorders (such as myasthenia gravis)
• Nervous system infections
• Neurodegenerative disorders (ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, etc.)
• Spinal cord disorders

Do I Need to See a Neurologist?

Expert care is a must if you have an injury, illness, or disease affecting your central nervous system, brain, or spine. However, it can be challenging to pinpoint what exactly the problem is without medical expertise. Generally, patients should first seek their primary care doctor’s assessment if they have persistent symptoms such as chronic headaches, numbness, pain, dizziness, or memory loss. These may indicate a neurological disorder, and you will likely need further testing to determine the proper course of treatment.

When you see your neurologist for an exam, they will conduct several evaluations to check your cognitive ability, examine your sensory function, balance, coordination, language comprehension, gait, and many other skills. These tests are noninvasive and painless, and give your doctor the information they need to discern which follow-up diagnostic tests may be necessary, such as imaging tests like a CT scan or MRI scan.