Neurology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of the brain and nervous system. The central nervous system involves the brain, the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system including all of the other sensory elements like eyes, ears, and skin. A physician who specializes in treating both of these areas is called a neurologist.
if you’ve been told you need to see a neurologist this can sound like a scary thing. The good thing is the large selection of neurology specialists in Maricopa County. A little research and knowledge will help you to choose the best doctor for you.
What do Neurologists Do?
Neurologists treat such things as:
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strokes
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cerebrovascular disease
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demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis
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headaches
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infections
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movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease
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degenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and ALS
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seizure disorders like epilepsy
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speech and language disorders
Neurologists have at least three years of specialized training before they are accredited.
What to Do When You Need to See a Neurologist
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If you’ve been told to see a neurologist usually the referring doctor will give you a list of choices.
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Start by researching the neurologists’ credentials and considering their experience including area of expertise. some specialize more in one area or disease so ensuring you choose a practitioner who will understand your symptoms is important.
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Consider if there is a gender you are more comfortable seeing.
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Note the quality of hospital they work out of since this plays a factor in how quickly you will be evaluated and how easily you can communicate with your neurologist.
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Check on-line for patient satisfaction surveys through websites like.rate MD.
What to Do at Your First Visit
First thing- try to relax. Neurologist sounds really scary, but by thinking of them as being on your side, you can start to decrease your stress which is always better for your health as well as your ability to accurately hear and process what the doctor is saying.
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Take someone with you for support.
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Write down anything you want to research or if you take a family member or friend, assign them to take notes.
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Ask questions.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
You will get the most out of your appointment if you are fully prepared when you’re visiting a neurologist. You will hope to hear:
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what’s wrong with me
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how will this diagnosis affect my health
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what treatments are available
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how will this affect my daily life.
Before a neurologist can answer these questions scans are often required . You may be required to have a procedure to provide a sample of spinal fluid. You may need to have an MRI and you may require blood work. The good news is usually none of these things happen on the first appointment. A first appointment is more of an opportunity for you and the doctor to get to know one another and for the doctor to go over your history.