Neurology is a medical discipline that deals with diagnosis and up-to-date treatment of nervous system diseases. Advanced age is the major risk for neurological disorders; recently, prevalence of the neurological diseases increased due to the prolonged average lifetime. Even if persons with comorbodities, especially such as hypertension and diabetes, have no extra complaint, neurological exam is required especially regarding cerebrovascular diseases. Preventive medicine is the best treatment approach not only for neurological disorders, but also for all diseases. However, considering the fact that brain injuries are usually irreversible, these preventive measures gain further importance. In case of an abnormal health condition, visiting the correct medical discipline ensures correct and early diagnosis that translates into timely intervention. Therefore, having knowledge about the common neurological complaints, most common diseases and diagnostic methods will prevent loss of time and money.
- Neurological signs and symptoms;
Most common reasons of admissions to neurology outpatient clinics are headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, syncope, memory impairment and numbness, pain and loss of strength in arms and legs as well as involuntary movements.
Migraine and other headaches, epilepsy, Cerebrovascular diseases, sleep disorders, vertigo, Parkinson’s disease and other movements disorders, as well as multiple sclerosis and muscular diseases, are the most common groups of diseases.
- Electrophysiology Laboratory
Methods used in diagnosis and sometimes treatment of neurological disorders are performed in this laboratory.
Electroencephalography
Used in the presence of syncope and other mental status changes as well as epilepsy and epileptic diseases. It helps evaluating the physiological and the pathological activities of the brain.
Electromyography
It is an important modality to evaluate congenital or acquired muscular diseases and peripheral nervous damages such as entrapment neuropathies.
Polysomnography (sleep test)
It is used for the diagnosis of sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome and bruxism.
Evoked Potentials
They are used to evaluate how the brain reacts to the external stimuli.
Botulinum toxin is an injection method in the following conditions;
Chronic headache, such as migraine
Movement disorders,
Treatment of abnormal muscle spasms, called spasticity.