Neurology is the branch of internal medicine that studies diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system, starting from the characteristics and methods of identification to the most effective treatment.
The neurologist, therefore, is an internal doctor specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases that can affect the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles.
WHEN TO REFER TO A NEUROLOGIST?
It is a good idea to ask a neurologist for advice if you suffer from coordination problems, unusual muscle weakness, alterations in the sense organs (eye, smell, tactile disorders, etc.), persistent tingling in one part of the body, numbness or loss of control intestinal.
The pathologies of the central and peripheral nervous systems, of which a neurologist is usually concerned, are:
- epilepsy
- Nervous system infections, such as encephalitis, meningitis or brain abscess
- Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Gehrig's disease (ALS) or Alzheimer's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinal cord diseases, both inflammatory and autoimmune
- migraine
NEUROLOGICAL EXAMINATION
The starting point of any neurological investigation is the so-called neurological objective examination, during which the specialist analyzes nerve reflexes, muscle strength, movement and balance abilities, cognitive abilities and the quality of the patient's language.
NEUROLOGICAL SUBSECIZES
Thanks also to advances in medicine in the field of neurology, modern neurologists have the opportunity to further specialize in one area of their discipline.
There are, therefore, neurologists experienced in problems of the nervous system typical of the elderly (geriatric neurology) or of the child (pediatric neurology), in neurological pathologies of a tumor type (neuro-oncology), in the various forms of existing epilepsy, etc.
