About Neurology and Neurosurgery
Neurology involves the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the nervous system. This includes the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and muscles.
What is a neurologist?
Neurologists have specialised training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system. They can treat disorders impacting the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles. Common disorders include:
Stroke
When the blood supply to part of your brain is reduced or interrupted, your brain tissue won’t receive enough nutrients and oxygen. This interruption of blood supply, nutrients and oxygen causes brain cells to die, causing a stroke.
Alzheimer’s disease
The most common form of dementia, a progressive decline in brain function. Usual symptoms include short- and long-term memory impairment, which results in word- and direction-finding problems, repetitive questions and difficulty managing work, relationships and finances.
Headache or migraines
Frequent or intensely painful chronic headaches and migraines may be treated by a neurologist, as a headache is often a symptom of another condition.
Epilepsy
A chronic disorder that causes unprovoked, recurrent seizures. A seizure is a sudden rush of electrical activity in the brain.
Parkinson’s disease
A progressive nervous system disorder that impacts movement. Tremors (muscle contractions in one part of the body), stiffness and slowing in movement are common symptoms.
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
A chronic condition of the nervous system where the immune system attacks myelin, the protective layer surrounding your nerve fibres. This causes inflammation and makes it difficult for your body to send messages around your body.
Other conditions include:
- sleep disorders
- chronic pain
- brain and spinal cord injuries
- brain tumours
- peripheral nervous disorders
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Life Healthcare’s Neurology Services