During a neurological exam, instruments, such as lights and reflex hammers, may be used to assess the nervous system. Motor skills, balance, coordination and mental status may also be tested. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an example of a complex condition that may be best treated by a neurologist.
Tests, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG), which use small electric sensors to measure brain activity and nerve function.
Electromyography, or EMG, is used to diagnose nerve and muscle disorders, spinal nerve root compression, and motor neuron disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. EMG records the electrical activity in the muscles. Muscles develop abnormal electrical signals when there is nerve or muscle damage.
Numbness, tingling, weakness, or inability to move a part or all of one side of the body (paralysis). Dimness, blurring, double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes. Loss of speech, trouble talking, or trouble understanding speech. Sudden, severe headache.
Signs and symptoms of nervous system disorders
Persistent or sudden onset of a headache. A headache that changes or is different. Loss of feeling or tingling. Weakness or loss of muscle strength.
Among the most common are epilepsy, Alzheimer's, and stroke.
Neurological disorders are central and peripheral nervous system diseases, that is, they occur in the brain, spine, and multiple nerves that connect both.
Car accidents, falls, and other injuries are a common cause of acute spinal cord injury. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal neurological disorder that causes progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. It is often referred to as Lou Gehrig disease.
Stretch injuries are the most encountered pattern of nerve damage. These may result from a fall, a birth injury, a motor vehicle accident, a surgical procedure or workplace injury. All three types of nerve injuries detailed above also can occur or in combination with one another.
A variety of blood tests may be performed to determine the cause of nerve damage. These tests may look for high blood glucose levels, diabetes onset, vitamin deficiencies, etc.
The impulse may feel like an electric shock. You may feel some discomfort depending on how strong the impulse is. You should feel no pain once the test is finished. Often, the nerve conduction test is followed by EMG.
A nerve conduction velocity (NCV) test — also called a nerve conduction study (NCS) — measures how fast an electrical impulse moves through your nerve. NCV can identify nerve damage. During the test, your nerve is stimulated, usually with electrode patches attached to your skin.
A few examples of symptoms that may be caused by a nervous system problem include: Numbness or tingling. Weakness or a reduced ability to move any part of the body (not caused by pain). Tremors, tics, or other unusual movements, such as a walking (gait) change or mouth smacking.
The brain is what controls all the body's functions. The spinal cord runs from the brain down through the back.
If a nerve is injured but not cut, the injury is more likely to heal. Injuries in which the nerve has been completely severed are very difficult to treat, and recovery may not be possible. Your doctor will determine your treatment based on the extent and cause of your injury and how well the nerve is healing.
Studies have also provided evidence that anxiety and nerve firings are related. Specifically, researchers believe that high anxiety may cause nerve firing to occur more often. This can make you feel tingling, burning, and other sensations that are also associated with nerve damage and neuropathy.
Chronic stress, experiencing stressors over a prolonged period of time, can result in a long-term drain on the body. As the autonomic nervous system continues to trigger physical reactions, it causes a wear-and-tear on the body.
The term "nervous breakdown" is sometimes used by people to describe a stressful situation in which they're temporarily unable to function normally in day-to-day life. It's commonly understood to occur when life's demands become physically and emotionally overwhelming.
During your first appointment, a Neurologist will likely ask you to participate in a physical exam and neurological exam. Neurological exams are tests that measure muscle strength, sensation, reflexes, and coordination. Because of the complexity of the nervous system, you may be asked to undergo further testing.
The questionnaire will ask for details on your health history, the condition you are being referred for, and any other conditions for which you are being treated. New patient consults are approximately 45-60 minutes and will include a thorough neurological exam.