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The
Scope of Neurology
Summary: How neurologists make a difference in the society and
help people for their problems. A neurological examination
examines the patient completely and gives an accurate diagnosis to
a multitude of diseases and conditions otherwise unseen.
When a patient has a medical problem that points to the brain or
the nervous system, he is referred to a specialist called a
Neurologist. This medical professional is highly trained to
diagnose and treat patients with any neurological problem or
disease. The Neurologist works with patients who are adults or
children, although the latter has normally had extra experience in
Pediatrics as well. Doctors in this specialty also function in
clinical, basic and transitional research fields.
To become a Neurologist, a new doctor must make a significant
educational commitment that includes not only an undergraduate
degree and four years of medical school, but also a one year
internship and three years of highly specialized neurological
training. In some cases, when the doctor elects to follow a
specific subset of this field such as neuromuscular diseases, pain
management, or strokes, still additional educational studies are
necessary.
Although neurology itself is a very vertical field of study, it
includes a great many diseases and conditions that affect the
brain and spinal cord, peripheral and cranial nerves and the
autonomic nervous system. Some of these are infections of the
brain such as meningitis, encephalitis and myelitis; degenerative
disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS; cerebral palsey,
TIA’s, stroke and movement diseases such as Parkinson’s,
Huntington’s and tic disorder, to name just some.
A neurological examination is usually very complete in order to
permit an accurate diagnosis that meets the patient’s needs. It
examines different parts of the nervous system by focusing on the
patient’s health history, mental status, motor system, cranial
nerves, sensory system, coordination and gait. While the entire
battery of tests is important for accurate patient evaluation, the
mental status portion is critical in exposing neurological
diseases that result in changes in intellect, emotions and
important personality characteristics. Quite frequently the mental
assessment exposes important diagnostic factors when other tests
do not. Every step is taken to restore the patient to good health.
If the patient requires surgery for his condition, such as a brain
tumor, he is generally referred to a Neurosurgeon, another
highly-specialized doctor who in addition to being a Neurologist
is also an expert surgeon. Most neurological procedures, including
neurosurgery, are normally covered in full by the patient’s health
insurance.
There is frequently a considerable amount of overlap between
neurology and psychiatry. This occurs because many diseases that
are treated by Psychiatrists are thought by some doctors to be
neurological disorders that affect he patient’s central nervous
system. Since the brain and the mind are really one, the
distinction is sometimes difficult to make, particularly because
some neurological diseases manifest themselves as psychiatric. A
good example lies in the dementia that arises in Parkinson’s
disease and the cognitive dysfunctions and mood swings in
Alzheimer’s.
Finally, it seems quite likely that the field of neurology will
experience many changes for the better as time goes on, especially
as new discoveries emerge in the field of genetics and other
related scientific and medical disciplines.
Original Article
Source:
http://www.medicalneeds.com |
