Neurologists are health professionals who study, diagnose, and treat nervous system disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, concussion, migraine, etc.
If you have signs and symptoms showing a neurological condition, discuss it with your regular doctor. The purpose is to diagnose the issue and manage the symptoms. However, if your symptoms do not improve over time, you can consult a professional, certified, and experienced neurologist.
According to Dr. Ruham Nasany, symptoms like severe headaches, seizures, chronic pain, dizziness, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, tremors, vision issues, sleep disorders, and memory problems mean you must consult a neurologist. The question is: What to expect at your neurologist consultation? Today’s article will answer this question. Read on!
Table of Contents
Your Neurologist will Review Your Medical History
Once you have found and scheduled an appointment, you will visit the clinic or office. Your neurologist will introduce himself/herself and review your medical history by discussing your medical conditions and symptoms.
Providing your neurologist with your medical history is critical. You must bring all documents/prescriptions/lab tests, etc., so your neurologist can glance over them and know what diseases/disorders you have experienced in the past. The purpose is to get detailed information about your medical history.
You Neurologists will Perform the Physical Exam
Once your neurologist has a detailed review of your medical history and current symptoms, they will perform a physical exam to see the visible signs of your neurological conditions.
Your neurologists will examine various things, such as the way you walk, your posture, problems with specific movements, and your body balance. The health professional will also measure your pulse and listen to your lungs and heart. A basic physical exam is crucial before your neurologist asks you to undergo tests.
Your Neurologists will Perform Specific Tests
Testing depends on various factors, such as your symptoms and the suspected neurological condition. Research shows that a neurological disorder can impact multiple body parts, such as a muscle near the knee area to a nerve in your neck or neuronal problems in your brain.
Therefore, various tests are critical to find the root cause and diagnose the issue. According to Dr. Ruham Nasany, your family member, relative, or friend can help you if you find it challenging to answer the questions.
Your neurologist will test various body and nerve functions, such as mental status, speech, vision, sensation, reflexes, muscle strength, balance, and coordination. The next step is undergoing the diagnostic tests.
Dr. Ruham Nasany says your neurologist will clearly understand your diagnosis after performing the exam. However, you will undergo several diagnostic tests so your neurologists confirm your condition. You will take the following tests based on your symptoms:
- Blood and urine tests to identify infections, toxins, or other disorders
- Imaging tests of your brain and spinal cord to look for problems like:
o Brain damage
o Brain tumors
o Musculoskeletal disorders
o Blood vessel problems
o Spinal disc damages
o Neuropathy
- An electroencephalograph (EEG) to review your brain’s function (This diagnostic test is critical if you have seizures or related symptoms)
- An electromyogram (EMG) to determine whether your muscles and nerves have proper coordination
- A series of other tests to measure and evaluate your CNS’s response to stimulation of specific nerves, vision, speech, and hearing
- Your neurologist may perform a spinal tap or lumbar puncture to extract a small amount of fluid from your spine and see signs of infections
- A muscle or nerve biopsy to determine neuromuscular disorders, and the test involves taking your body’s tissues and examining them under a microscope.
Final Words
Preparing for your neurological consultation is an excellent way to make the most of your diagnostics tests and treatment. We recommend writing down your symptoms, signs, and health information, including conditions or allergies you have experienced in the past and medications you have taken to treat them.
Don’t forget to ask questions from your neurologists to know about your condition and see whether the neurologist is experienced enough to diagnose and treat your disease. Send your previous lab test results to your neurologists before the consultation via email.
